GPR, Metal Detection and Archaeological Investigation at the Denton Homesite, Greenfield, NY

Summary

This is a poster submission presented at the 2022 annual meeting of the Society for Historical Archaeology.

This poster reports the results of ground-penetrating radar (GPR), metal detection, excavation, and artifact analysis of an 18th century farmstead and late 19th century estate at the Denton Home Site in Greenfield, New York. Beginning in 1775, the area was home to Revolutionary War veteran Preston Denton, his wife Esther Deyoe Denton, and their six children. A century later, Henry Hilton bought the Denton land and adjacent parcels, investing his recently acquired wealth in the creation of the park-like Woodlawn Estate. In addition to the mansion-like “cottages,” stables, miles of tree-lined carriage roads, and racetrack at the estate’s core, Hilton had several structures built on the former Denton farmstead, including the Overlook Mansion, a sheepfold, and a shepherd’s cottage. 2021 investigations tested the effectiveness of GPR and metal detection for identifying 18th and 19th century deposits and subsurface testing focused on the carriage road, visible surface depressions, and structure foundations.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• 2022 SHA Poster Submissions   •
• Society for Historical Archaeology 2022

Keywords

Individual & Institutional Roles

Contact(s): Society for Historical Archaeology