Cultural Resource Survey of Harry Diamond Laboratories Field Test Facility, Blossom Point, Maryland

Summary

In order to comply with the National Historic Preservation Act (Public Law 89-665), the National Environmental Policy Act (Public Law 91-190), and Executive Order 11593 (Protection and Enhancement of the Cultural Environment), the Atlanta Office of the Heritage Conservation and Recreation Service contracted with Geo-Recon International (GRI) to provide a literature search and cultural resource survey of the Harry Diamond Laboratories Field Test Facility located at Blossom Point in Charles County, Maryland.

According to the stipulations of the above acts and the procedures for the Protection of Historic and Cultural Properties (36 CFR part 800), Federal agencies are required in part to survey cultural resources on their holdings and to nominate qualified resources to the National Register of Historic Places. As there have been no formal cultural resource studies conducted on the Blossom Point Test Facility, data generated by the archival phase of this study will serve to provide baseline information for future cultural resource management decisions. Likewise, the field survey will provide a basic site inventory and data upon which to formulate predictions on site types, locations and the probable significance of as yet undiscovered cultural resources.

The background and field research portions of this study were carried out between March 1st and May 23rd, 1980. The background investigation consisted of a search of historic and prehistoric site files maintained by state and federal agencies as well as a literature search of archeological, anthropological and historical materials judged useful in locating or identifying sites. Numerous specialized archives were visited in addition to consultations and interview s with professional and amateur archeologists and historians as well as knowledgeable facility employees and local residents. A GRI survey team conducted a field survey between May 12th and May 23rd, 1980 during which known and newly discovered sites were mapped and described.

This report presents the findings of both the archival research and the on-site survey. Chapter II presents background information on the study area including discussions of important aspects of its environment, history, ethnography and prehistory. Chapter III details field study methods and results. Descriptions of the identified archeological and historical sites coupled with a discussion of their eligibility for nomination to the National Register of Historic Places are presented in Chapter IV. Chapter V includes the report conclusions and recommendations which are followed by a listing of references cited and appendices which provide: a log of consultations and interviews, a listing of archives, historical societies and libraries consulted and a listing of aerial photographs and maps consulted.

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Spatial Coverage

Individual & Institutional Roles

Contact(s): US Army Corps of Engineers Mandatory Center of Expertise for the Curation and Management of Archaeological Collections, St. Louis District

Contributor(s): Rinita Dalan; Lorena Walsh; Robert Stuckenrath

Principal Investigator(s): Steve Wilke

Landowner(s): Harry Diamond Laboratories, Adelphi, MD

Repository(s): Adelphi Laboratory

Prepared By(s): Geo-Recon International, Seattle, WA

Submitted To(s): Heritage Conservation and Recreation Service. Southeast Regional Office, Atlanta, GA

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