Approaches To Recording And Preserving A WWI Training Camp In Houston's Memorial Park

Summary

This is a poster submission presented at the 2020 annual meeting of the Society for Historical Archaeology.

Upon entering World War I the United States built 32 army training camps across the country. Most disappeared beneath commercial and residential development or were incorporated into permanent military installations. Archaeological investigations of WWI camps have been rare. Camp Logan in Houston is unique in that after closing, the city purchased the core of the Camp Logan property to serve as a park. Memorial Park Conservancy hired Gray & Pape to assess the park’s cultural resources, particularly those of the Camp Logan period. Challenges included: a public space where community members value differing aspects of that space, threat of looting, and an overlapping archaeological record of military and public recreation activities. An approach combining multiple survey methods, historical research, interviews, park staff training, and public outreach; resulted in comprehensive documentation of park cultural resources, assisted the park in planning future development, and involved the community in a shared cultural heritage.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Society for Historical Archaeology 2020   •
• 2020 SHA Poster Submissions

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PaperId(s): 267

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