Geophysical and Archeological Investigations at Harry S. Truman National Historic Site, Independence, Missouri

Summary

Geophysical and archeological investigations were conducted at four residences at the Harry S Truman National Historic Site in Independence, Missouri. The investigations were conducted as part of the park’s rehabilitation projects for the replacement of basement foundations at the Noland House and the Frank Wallace House. The four property lots associated with the Noland House (23JA636), the Truman Home (23JA635), the George Wallace House (23JA634) and the Frank Wallace House (23JA637) were documented and recorded with the Archeological Survey of Missouri. The Truman Grandview Farm (23JA638) was also recorded with the Archaeological Survey of Missouri during the course of the project.

The geophysical investigations at the Noland property (23JA636) included magnetic, resistance, conductivity, and ground-penetrating radar surveys. Archeological investigations at the Noland property included 20 shovel tests and three controlled test excavations in the Noland yard. An additional two shovel tests were placed in the crawl space beneath the middle part of the house. Five hundred twenty-five square meters were surveyed with a fluxgate gradiometer, a resistance meter and twin probe array, a ground conductivity meter, and a ground penetrating radar cart system with a 400 mHz antenna. The geophysical data indicated the presence of buried archeological objects and features related to the Noland family, as well as more recent buried utility lines. Artifacts consisted of 19th and 20th century objects. The excavations indicated that the historic deposit averaged less than 20 cm deep.

The geophysical investigations of the Truman Home, the George Wallace House, and the Frank Wallace House property lots included magnetic, conductivity, and ground penetrating radar surveys. Three thousand fifty-eight square meters of the Truman property (23JA635), 890 square meters of the Frank Wallace property (23JA637), and 890 square meters of the George Wallace property (23JA634) were surveyed with a fluxgate gradiometer, a ground conductivity meter, and a ground penetrating radar cart system with a 400 mHz antenna. The geophysical data suggested the location of buried utilities and artifacts associated with the Truman and Wallace families.

Monitoring activities during the construction phase of the installation of the Noland House and the Frank Wallace House basement foundations identified artifacts and features associated with the occupation of the houses during the late 19th century and throughout the 20th century.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Midwest Archeological Center Technical Reports

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