The City of Boston Archaeology Program: Community Empowerment at the Confluence of Urban Planning and Preservation

Summary

This is an abstract from the session entitled "Breaking Free from the (Institutional) Matrix: Archaeological Career Pathways In and Between Academia, CRM, Non-Profit, and Museum Spheres", at the 2025 annual meeting of the Society for Historical Archaeology.

Founded in 1983 in response to the significant archaeological discoveries unearthed during the Central Artery/Tunnel Project (the Big Dig), the City of Boston Archaeology Program initially focused on facilitating data recovery and curating these essential collections. Over the years, the Program has transcended its original mandate, evolving into a distinctive hybrid bridging cultural resource management (CRM) and academic archaeology. Today, it expands public access to archaeological knowledge and enhances civic participation. Utilizing direct community involvement, the Program empowers persistently marginalized groups to shape and interpret their own historical narratives and influence on the history of Boston. By leveraging its position at the intersection of community engagement, urban planning, and historic preservation, the Program promotes the integration of cultural stewardship with urban development.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Breaking Free from the (Institutional) Matrix: Archaeological Career Pathways In and Between Academia, CRM, Non-Profit, and Museum Spheres   •
• Society for Historical Archaeology 2025

Keywords

Individual & Institutional Roles

Contact(s): Nicole Haddow