«Where Patriotism and Loyalty Intersect with Truth:» The Archaeology and Public Engagement of the 1947 Pine Camp Barracks Fire

Summary

At approximately 0230 in the early morning of December 10, 1947 an officer’s barracks, T-2278, caught fire. The building burned, killing 5 U.S. Army Officers. This event marks the only structural fire in the history of what is now Fort Drum, NY (then Pine Camp) that resulted in the loss of human life. In the Summer of 2012, the Fort Drum Cultural Resources Section conducted a magnetometry survey and excavations of the site, in order to determine its eligibility for listing on the National Register of Historic Places. This paper will discuss the way in which archaeologist became aware of the site, their attempts to commemorate the site, the historic significance of the site, the public outreach efforts surrounding the project, and the methods and results of the investigation.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• The Archaeology of Basque Fisheries throughout the Atlantic, a Reappraisal   •
• Society for Historical Archaeology 2014

Individual & Institutional Roles

Contact(s): Society for Historical Archaeology

Record Identifiers

PaperId(s): SYM-15,05