Reconstructing the Waterfront: An Archaeological Examination of Washington, North Carolina’s Nineteenth Century Port

Summary

This is an abstract from the session entitled "Landscapes Above and Below in Southern Contexts (General Sessions)" , at the 2021 annual meeting of the Society for Historical Archaeology.

The purpose of this paper is to gather historical and archaeological data to illuminate potential relationships between economic trends in the construction of wharf structures and enhance our understanding of the multitude of factors that drive the growth and decline of port communities. To do this, the coastal town of Washington, NC, situated along the Tar-Pamlico River, will be used as a case study. The nineteenth century witnessed the town, and its surrounding communities, experience economic prosperity because of its importance as a waterfront community. Goods from Washington were sold as far north as New York City and to a variety of Caribbean Islands. The expansive commercial activity of Washington, NC brought goods and produce from throughout the Atlantic and beyond, bringing fortune to a relatively minor port city. Historical and archaeological information from several sources will be analyzed and assessed for correlation.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Landscapes Above and Below in Southern Contexts (General Sessions)   •
• Society for Historical Archaeology 2021

Keywords

Individual & Institutional Roles

Contact(s): Society for Historical Archaeology