Developing and Maintaining Community Interest in Archaeology: The Role of Municipal Government and Public Archaeology Outreach in St. Augustine, Florida

Summary

St. Augustine, Florida, has a vibrant heritage spanning almost 449 years of continuous European occupation. In 1987 the city passed an archaeological preservation ordinance authorizing the documentation of archaeological deposits prior to ground-penetrating development on both public and private properties’a result of the convergence of events and activism. Administration of this policy directive is through the City’s Planning and Building Department, with implementation under the auspices of the permitting processes; thus insuring that all projects are evaluated for potential impacts to archaeological deposits. To date, more than 650 archaeological investigations have occurred: resources that would have been otherwise threatened by construction. While the local ordinance mandates an archaeological response in designated sections of the city, maintaining community interest and support is achieved through an active public outreach program. This presentation examines the policies and procedures necessary to create and maintain an archaeological program at the municipal level.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Municipal Archaeology: Linking Archaeology, Urban Planning and Heritage   •
• Society for Historical Archaeology 2014

Individual & Institutional Roles

Contact(s): Society for Historical Archaeology

Record Identifiers

PaperId(s): SYM-10,03