{"id":325,"date":"2025-10-15T11:36:05","date_gmt":"2025-10-15T11:36:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/exploremitchelville.org\/dig-site\/?page_id=325"},"modified":"2026-02-03T19:55:49","modified_gmt":"2026-02-03T19:55:49","slug":"archaeology-collection","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/exploremitchelville.org\/dig-site\/archaeology-collection\/","title":{"rendered":"Archaeology Collection"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-page\" data-elementor-id=\"325\" class=\"elementor elementor-325\" data-elementor-post-type=\"page\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3cb9717 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"3cb9717\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-00f1045 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"00f1045\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1a56e81 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"1a56e81\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Archaeology Collections<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ae6bd0f e-flex e-con-boxed elementor-invisible e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"ae6bd0f\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;,&quot;animation&quot;:&quot;fadeInUp&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-39b77bd e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"39b77bd\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-eac97dd elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"eac97dd\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Since the 1980\u2019s, archaeologists have been uncovering the stories buried beneath Historic Mitchelville Freedom Park\u2014the first self-governed town of formerly enslaved people in the United States. From the pioneering work of the 1980s to recent community-engaged excavations, each project has added crucial pieces to our understanding of this sacred ground where freedom, democracy, citizenship, and opportunity first took root for Gullah Islanders.<\/p><p dir=\"ltr\">This is a Digital Archive of information from each archaeology project in our Park. Each Collection features information, images, and a report about that project. It is our goal to document each archaeological project conducted in Mitchelville here so that our community members have free and easy access to this information. Click on a Collection below to learn more about that project and what its researchers uncovered.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-75e6001 elementor-grid-3 elementor-grid-tablet-2 elementor-grid-mobile-1 elementor-posts--thumbnail-top elementor-widget elementor-widget-global elementor-global-1036 elementor-widget-posts\" data-id=\"75e6001\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;classic_columns&quot;:&quot;3&quot;,&quot;classic_columns_tablet&quot;:&quot;2&quot;,&quot;classic_columns_mobile&quot;:&quot;1&quot;,&quot;classic_row_gap&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:35,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;classic_row_gap_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;classic_row_gap_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]}}\" data-widget_type=\"posts.classic\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-posts-container elementor-posts elementor-posts--skin-classic elementor-grid\" role=\"list\">\n\t\t\t\t<article class=\"elementor-post elementor-grid-item post-360 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-archaeology-collections\" role=\"listitem\">\n\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__thumbnail__link\" href=\"https:\/\/exploremitchelville.org\/dig-site\/archaeology-collections\/1980s-the-chicora-foundation\/\" tabindex=\"-1\" >\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__thumbnail\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"220\" src=\"https:\/\/exploremitchelville.org\/dig-site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Trink_F3-300x220.png\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium wp-image-364\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/exploremitchelville.org\/dig-site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Trink_F3-300x220.png 300w, https:\/\/exploremitchelville.org\/dig-site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Trink_F3-768x563.png 768w, https:\/\/exploremitchelville.org\/dig-site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Trink_F3.png 1010w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/div>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__text\">\n\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-post__title\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/exploremitchelville.org\/dig-site\/archaeology-collections\/1980s-the-chicora-foundation\/\" >\n\t\t\t\tThe 1980s Collection\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__excerpt\">\n\t\t\t<p>In the 1980s the Chicora Foundation did the first archaeology in what would become our Park. This project was the first to document the archaeology of Mitchelville and the researcher&#8217;s findings changed the way we understood American history. Read this Collection to learn more. <\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t<article class=\"elementor-post elementor-grid-item post-372 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-archaeology-collections\" role=\"listitem\">\n\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__thumbnail__link\" href=\"https:\/\/exploremitchelville.org\/dig-site\/archaeology-collections\/remote-sensing-begins\/\" tabindex=\"-1\" >\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__thumbnail\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" src=\"https:\/\/exploremitchelville.org\/dig-site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/IMG_4829-300x225.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium wp-image-373\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/exploremitchelville.org\/dig-site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/IMG_4829-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/exploremitchelville.org\/dig-site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/IMG_4829-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/exploremitchelville.org\/dig-site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/IMG_4829-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/exploremitchelville.org\/dig-site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/IMG_4829-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/exploremitchelville.org\/dig-site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/IMG_4829-2048x1536.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/div>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__text\">\n\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-post__title\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/exploremitchelville.org\/dig-site\/archaeology-collections\/remote-sensing-begins\/\" >\n\t\t\t\tThe Praise House Collection: I\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__excerpt\">\n\t\t\t<p>In 2018 the Historic Mitchelville Freedom Park began the process of building a Master Plan for park development. One of the early goals was trying to locate the first Church or Praise House erected in Mitchelville. Read this Collection to learn more. <\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t<article class=\"elementor-post elementor-grid-item post-380 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-archaeology-collections\" role=\"listitem\">\n\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__thumbnail__link\" href=\"https:\/\/exploremitchelville.org\/dig-site\/archaeology-collections\/mitchelvilles-first-church\/\" tabindex=\"-1\" >\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__thumbnail\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/exploremitchelville.org\/dig-site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/36679810-300x200.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium wp-image-381\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/exploremitchelville.org\/dig-site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/36679810-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/exploremitchelville.org\/dig-site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/36679810-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/exploremitchelville.org\/dig-site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/36679810-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/exploremitchelville.org\/dig-site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/36679810-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/exploremitchelville.org\/dig-site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/36679810.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/div>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__text\">\n\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-post__title\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/exploremitchelville.org\/dig-site\/archaeology-collections\/mitchelvilles-first-church\/\" >\n\t\t\t\tThe Praise House Collection: II\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__excerpt\">\n\t\t\t<p>Archaeologists returned to our Park in 2019 to pick up their research where they had left off the last season. using evidence they found over the winter, they opened up more excavations. Read this Collection to learn more. <\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1a88503 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"1a88503\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9bdb4fb e-flex e-con-boxed elementor-invisible e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"9bdb4fb\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;,&quot;animation&quot;:&quot;fadeInUp&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d04a82b e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"d04a82b\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-27ff06d elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"27ff06d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Timeline of Archaeology Projects<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-39127f6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-shortcode\" data-id=\"39127f6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"shortcode.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-shortcode\">    <div class=\"mitchelville-timeline\">\n        <style>\n            .mitchelville-timeline {\n                max-width: 900px;\n                margin: 0 auto;\n                padding: 20px;\n            }\n            .timeline-event {\n                margin-bottom: 0;\n                padding-left: 30px;\n                padding-bottom: 40px;\n                border-left: 3px solid #1E9B97;\n                position: relative;\n            }\n            .timeline-event:last-child {\n                border-left: none;\n                padding-bottom: 0;\n            }\n            .timeline-event::before {\n                content: '';\n                position: absolute;\n                left: -10px;\n                top: 5px;\n                width: 17px;\n                height: 17px;\n                background: #1E9B97;\n                border: 3px solid #fff;\n                box-shadow: 0 0 0 1px #1E9B97;\n            }\n            .timeline-year {\n                color: #1E9B97;\n                font-size: 1.1em;\n                font-weight: 600;\n                margin-bottom: 10px;\n            }\n            .timeline-title {\n                font-size: 1.5em;\n                font-weight: bold;\n                color: #333;\n                margin-bottom: 15px;\n                line-height: 1.3;\n            }\n            .timeline-meta {\n                margin-bottom: 15px;\n            }\n            .timeline-meta-label {\n                font-weight: 600;\n                color: #555;\n            }\n            .timeline-description {\n                line-height: 1.6;\n                color: #666;\n                margin-bottom: 20px;\n            }\n            .timeline-project-focus {\n                margin-top: 15px;\n                margin-bottom: 15px;\n            }\n            .timeline-project-focus h4 {\n                font-weight: 600;\n                color: #333;\n                margin-bottom: 10px;\n            }\n            .timeline-project-focus ul {\n                list-style: disc;\n                margin-left: 20px;\n                line-height: 1.8;\n            }\n            .timeline-project-focus li {\n                color: #666;\n                margin-bottom: 8px;\n            }\n            .timeline-highlights {\n                margin-top: 20px;\n            }\n            .timeline-highlights h4 {\n                font-weight: 600;\n                color: #333;\n                margin-bottom: 10px;\n            }\n            .timeline-highlights ul {\n                list-style: disc;\n                margin-left: 20px;\n                line-height: 1.8;\n            }\n            .timeline-highlights li {\n                color: #666;\n                margin-bottom: 8px;\n            }\n            .timeline-image {\n                margin: 20px 0;\n                text-align: left;\n                max-width: 200px;\n            }\n            .timeline-image img {\n                width: 100%;\n                height: auto;\n                aspect-ratio: 2\/3;\n                object-fit: cover;\n                border-radius: 4px;\n                box-shadow: 0 2px 8px rgba(0,0,0,0.1);\n                cursor: pointer;\n                transition: transform 0.3s ease, box-shadow 0.3s ease;\n                display: block;\n            }\n            .timeline-image img:hover {\n                transform: scale(1.05);\n                box-shadow: 0 4px 16px rgba(0,0,0,0.2);\n            }\n            .timeline-image-caption {\n                font-size: 0.9em;\n                color: #888;\n                font-style: italic;\n                margin-top: 10px;\n                text-align: left;\n            }\n            \n            \/* Lightbox Styles *\/\n            .mitchelville-lightbox {\n                display: none;\n                position: fixed;\n                z-index: 999999;\n                left: 0;\n                top: 0;\n                width: 100%;\n                height: 100%;\n                background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.9);\n                overflow: auto;\n            }\n            .mitchelville-lightbox.active {\n                display: flex;\n                align-items: center;\n                justify-content: center;\n            }\n            .mitchelville-lightbox-content {\n                position: relative;\n                max-width: 90%;\n                max-height: 90vh;\n                margin: auto;\n            }\n            .mitchelville-lightbox-content img {\n                width: auto;\n                height: auto;\n                max-width: 100%;\n                max-height: 90vh;\n                border-radius: 4px;\n                box-shadow: 0 4px 24px rgba(0,0,0,0.5);\n            }\n            .mitchelville-lightbox-close {\n                position: absolute;\n                top: 15px;\n                right: 35px;\n                color: #f1f1f1;\n                font-size: 40px;\n                font-weight: bold;\n                cursor: pointer;\n                transition: 0.3s;\n                z-index: 1000000;\n            }\n            .mitchelville-lightbox-close:hover,\n            .mitchelville-lightbox-close:focus {\n                color: #bbb;\n            }\n            .mitchelville-lightbox-caption {\n                text-align: center;\n                color: #ccc;\n                padding: 10px 20px;\n                font-style: italic;\n                max-width: 90%;\n                margin: 10px auto 0;\n            }\n        <\/style>\n\n                \n        <div class=\"timeline-event\">\n                            <div class=\"timeline-year\">1980s\u20131990s<\/div>\n                        \n            <h2 class=\"timeline-title\">Foundational Work<\/h2>\n            \n                            <div class=\"timeline-meta\">\n                    <span class=\"timeline-meta-label\">Led by:<\/span> Chicora Foundation (Michael Trinkley)                <\/div>\n                        \n                        \n                            <div class=\"timeline-meta\">\n                    <span class=\"timeline-meta-label\">Focus:<\/span> Established Mitchelville\u2019s archaeological importance, leading to National Register of Historic Places listing in 1988                <\/div>\n                        \n                            <div class=\"timeline-description\">\n                    <p>The archaeological story of Mitchelville began when construction work accidentally uncovered Native American artifacts near Coggins Creek. The Chicora Foundation\u2019s archaeologists found over 25,000 artifacts from Mitchelville-era deposits, including Mitchelville homesites with intact hearths. This foundational work proved that Mitchelville residents were participating in a cash economy and acquiring higher status goods than they had previously owned during enslavement.<\/p>\n                <\/div>\n                        \n                        \n                            <div class=\"timeline-highlights\">\n                    <h4>Project Highlights:<\/h4>\n                    <ul>\n                                                    <li>Four major structural complexes excavated<\/li>\n                                                    <li>25,000+ artifacts recovered<\/li>\n                                                    <li>Evidence of both indigenous Late Archaic occupation and Reconstruction-era Mitchelville<\/li>\n                                                    <li>Proof of residents\u2019 improved material conditions post-emancipation<\/li>\n                                            <\/ul>\n                <\/div>\n                        \n                            <div class=\"timeline-image\">\n                    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/exploremitchelville.org\/dig-site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Fig.-1-Chicora-200x132.png\" \n                         alt=\"Foundational Work\"\n                         data-full=\"https:\/\/exploremitchelville.org\/dig-site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Fig.-1-Chicora-scaled.png\"\n                         data-caption=\"\"\n                         class=\"mitchelville-timeline-img\"\n                         onclick=\"openMitchelvilleLightbox(this)\">\n                                    <\/div>\n                        \n                    <\/div>\n        \n                \n        <div class=\"timeline-event\">\n                            <div class=\"timeline-year\">2017<\/div>\n                        \n            <h2 class=\"timeline-title\">Remote Sensing in Search of the Praise House Begins<\/h2>\n            \n                            <div class=\"timeline-meta\">\n                    <span class=\"timeline-meta-label\">Led by:<\/span> Dr. Katherine Seeber (Binghamton University)                <\/div>\n                        \n                        \n                            <div class=\"timeline-meta\">\n                    <span class=\"timeline-meta-label\">Focus:<\/span> Initial ground penetrating radar survey                <\/div>\n                        \n                            <div class=\"timeline-description\">\n                    <p>The modern era of archaeology at Mitchelville began with a small ground-penetrating radar survey to test the effectiveness of the equipment in the park's unique soil conditions. Although this initial work didn\u2019t produce a large amount of data,  it laid the foundation for future remote sensing strategies.<\/p>\n                <\/div>\n                        \n                        \n                        \n                            <div class=\"timeline-image\">\n                    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/exploremitchelville.org\/dig-site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/IMG_4829-scaled.jpg\" \n                         alt=\"Remote Sensing in Search of the Praise House Begins\"\n                         data-full=\"https:\/\/exploremitchelville.org\/dig-site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/IMG_4829-scaled.jpg\"\n                         data-caption=\"\"\n                         class=\"mitchelville-timeline-img\"\n                         onclick=\"openMitchelvilleLightbox(this)\">\n                                    <\/div>\n                        \n                    <\/div>\n        \n                \n        <div class=\"timeline-event\">\n                            <div class=\"timeline-year\">2018<\/div>\n                        \n            <h2 class=\"timeline-title\">Praise House Survey and First Excavations<\/h2>\n            \n                            <div class=\"timeline-meta\">\n                    <span class=\"timeline-meta-label\">Led by:<\/span> Dr. Katherine Seeber                <\/div>\n                        \n                        \n                            <div class=\"timeline-meta\">\n                    <span class=\"timeline-meta-label\">Focus:<\/span> Remote sensing and excavation to locate the first church or Praise House                <\/div>\n                        \n                            <div class=\"timeline-description\">\n                    <p>Using magnetometry and electrical resistivity, undergraduate and graduate student archaeologists identified places under the ground that were most likely to have evidence of a past building that led to targeted excavations. That summer, a field school (or summer archaeology class) worked to excavate areas around the old Praise House exhibit and worked hard build relationships with local community members who came to visit the excavations.<\/p>\n                <\/div>\n                        \n                        \n                            <div class=\"timeline-highlights\">\n                    <h4>Project Highlights:<\/h4>\n                    <ul>\n                                                    <li>Remote sensing survey using magnetometry and electrical resistivity<\/li>\n                                                    <li>Community-based participatory research approach<\/li>\n                                                    <li>PhotoVoice documentation of the archaeological experience<\/li>\n                                                    <li>Complete documentation available in digital archive<\/li>\n                                            <\/ul>\n                <\/div>\n                        \n                            <div class=\"timeline-image\">\n                    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/exploremitchelville.org\/dig-site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/IMG_3489-200x133.jpg\" \n                         alt=\"Praise House Survey and First Excavations\"\n                         data-full=\"https:\/\/exploremitchelville.org\/dig-site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/IMG_3489-scaled.jpg\"\n                         data-caption=\"\"\n                         class=\"mitchelville-timeline-img\"\n                         onclick=\"openMitchelvilleLightbox(this)\">\n                                    <\/div>\n                        \n                    <\/div>\n        \n                \n        <div class=\"timeline-event\">\n                            <div class=\"timeline-year\">2019<\/div>\n                        \n            <h2 class=\"timeline-title\">Second Praise House Excavations and Community Building<\/h2>\n            \n                            <div class=\"timeline-meta\">\n                    <span class=\"timeline-meta-label\">Led by:<\/span> Dr. Katherine Seeber                <\/div>\n                        \n                        \n                            <div class=\"timeline-meta\">\n                    <span class=\"timeline-meta-label\">Focus:<\/span> Expanded excavations and visitor survey program                <\/div>\n                        \n                            <div class=\"timeline-description\">\n                    <p>Building on 2018 discoveries, archaeologists expanded excavation areas and implemented the first visitor survey program to understand how different communities connected with Mitchelville's story. This work also included ethnographic interviews with multi-generational Gullah Geechee islanders. The project recovered hundreds of Mitchelville era artifacts and strong evidence of a building footprint.<\/p>\n                <\/div>\n                        \n                        \n                            <div class=\"timeline-highlights\">\n                    <h4>Project Highlights:<\/h4>\n                    <ul>\n                                                    <li>Extended excavations in multiple operations<\/li>\n                                                    <li>First visitor survey program implemented<\/li>\n                                                    <li>Ethnographic interviews with community elders<\/li>\n                                                    <li>Evidence of both Mitchelville and indigenous Late Archaic occupation<\/li>\n                                            <\/ul>\n                <\/div>\n                        \n                            <div class=\"timeline-image\">\n                    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/exploremitchelville.org\/dig-site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/IMG_2906-scaled-e1769209183288-200x150.jpg\" \n                         alt=\"Second Praise House Excavations and Community Building\"\n                         data-full=\"https:\/\/exploremitchelville.org\/dig-site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/IMG_2906-scaled-e1769209183288.jpg\"\n                         data-caption=\"\"\n                         class=\"mitchelville-timeline-img\"\n                         onclick=\"openMitchelvilleLightbox(this)\">\n                                    <\/div>\n                        \n                    <\/div>\n        \n                \n        <div class=\"timeline-event\">\n                            <div class=\"timeline-year\">2020-2021<\/div>\n                        \n            <h2 class=\"timeline-title\">Remote Sensing Historic Mitchelville: Connecting the Dots<\/h2>\n            \n                        \n                            <div class=\"timeline-meta\">\n                    <span class=\"timeline-meta-label\">Funded by:<\/span> National Trust African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund                <\/div>\n                        \n                            <div class=\"timeline-meta\">\n                    <span class=\"timeline-meta-label\">Focus:<\/span> Park-wide remote sensing assessment                <\/div>\n                        \n                            <div class=\"timeline-description\">\n                    <p>Archive Coming Soon<br \/>\nThe COVID-19 pandemic shifted focus to comprehensive remote sensing across the entire park. This $50,000 matching grant project aimed to assess all heritage resources before any development, establishing HMFP as a leader in heritage preservation planning.<\/p>\n                <\/div>\n                        \n                        \n                            <div class=\"timeline-highlights\">\n                    <h4>Project Highlights:<\/h4>\n                    <ul>\n                                                    <li>First comprehensive park-wide archaeological assessment<\/li>\n                                                    <li>Integration of advanced remote sensing technologies<\/li>\n                                                    <li>Foundation for sustainable heritage management planning<\/li>\n                                                    <li>Model for other historical sites nationwide<\/li>\n                                            <\/ul>\n                <\/div>\n                        \n                            <div class=\"timeline-image\">\n                    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/exploremitchelville.org\/dig-site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/IMG_5308-200x150.jpeg\" \n                         alt=\"Remote Sensing Historic Mitchelville: Connecting the Dots\"\n                         data-full=\"https:\/\/exploremitchelville.org\/dig-site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/IMG_5308.jpeg\"\n                         data-caption=\"\"\n                         class=\"mitchelville-timeline-img\"\n                         onclick=\"openMitchelvilleLightbox(this)\">\n                                    <\/div>\n                        \n                    <\/div>\n        \n                \n        <div class=\"timeline-event\">\n                            <div class=\"timeline-year\">2023-2024<\/div>\n                        \n            <h2 class=\"timeline-title\">Ghost Structure Archaeology Project: Connecting the Dots<\/h2>\n            \n                            <div class=\"timeline-meta\">\n                    <span class=\"timeline-meta-label\">Led by:<\/span> Dr. Katherine Seeber                <\/div>\n                        \n                        \n                            <div class=\"timeline-meta\">\n                    <span class=\"timeline-meta-label\">Focus:<\/span> Phase 1 surveys for future Visitor Center construction                <\/div>\n                        \n                            <div class=\"timeline-description\">\n                    <p>Connecting the Dots<br \/>\n*Before our Ghost Structure Exhibit could be built, we needed to know where Mitchelville buildings were in the past, and were there any clues left behind to help us learn about Mitchelville residents?<\/p>\n<p>Archaeological investigations continued as HMFP prepared for construction of their new Visitor Center. These surveys ensured that all significant archaeological deposits would be properly documented and preserved before any development.<\/p>\n                <\/div>\n                        \n                        \n                            <div class=\"timeline-highlights\">\n                    <h4>Project Highlights:<\/h4>\n                    <ul>\n                                                    <li>Targeted excavations of areas where Ghost Structure Buildings were erected<\/li>\n                                                    <li>Investigations of Historic Mitchelville era yard spaces<\/li>\n                                                    <li>Providing information to incorporate into Ghost Structure Exhibit<\/li>\n                                                    <li>Understanding Native American Woodland site usage better<\/li>\n                                            <\/ul>\n                <\/div>\n                        \n                            <div class=\"timeline-image\">\n                    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/exploremitchelville.org\/dig-site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/IMG_0100-200x267.jpeg\" \n                         alt=\"Ghost Structure Archaeology Project: Connecting the Dots\"\n                         data-full=\"https:\/\/exploremitchelville.org\/dig-site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/IMG_0100.jpeg\"\n                         data-caption=\"\"\n                         class=\"mitchelville-timeline-img\"\n                         onclick=\"openMitchelvilleLightbox(this)\">\n                                    <\/div>\n                        \n                    <\/div>\n        \n                \n        <div class=\"timeline-event\">\n                            <div class=\"timeline-year\">2024-2025<\/div>\n                        \n            <h2 class=\"timeline-title\">ARFA Building Archaeology Project: Echoes Through Time<\/h2>\n            \n                        \n                        \n                        \n                            <div class=\"timeline-description\">\n                    <p>The first building we are erecting in the Park is our Archaeological Research Facility and Auditorium. But before laying its foundations, we had to examine the ground beneath it for evidence of past people.<\/p>\n                <\/div>\n                        \n                        \n                            <div class=\"timeline-highlights\">\n                    <h4>Project Highlights:<\/h4>\n                    <ul>\n                                                    <li>Investigate fully the area that would become the ARFA Building<\/li>\n                                                    <li>Find evidence about Historic Mitchelville yard spaces<\/li>\n                                                    <li>Find evidence about Native American Archaic usage of the site<\/li>\n                                                    <li>Investigate in a more in-depth manner multi-site occupations of Historic Mitchelville<\/li>\n                                            <\/ul>\n                <\/div>\n                        \n                            <div class=\"timeline-image\">\n                    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/exploremitchelville.org\/dig-site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/IMG_2500-200x267.jpeg\" \n                         alt=\"ARFA Building Archaeology Project: Echoes Through Time\"\n                         data-full=\"https:\/\/exploremitchelville.org\/dig-site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/IMG_2500.jpeg\"\n                         data-caption=\"\"\n                         class=\"mitchelville-timeline-img\"\n                         onclick=\"openMitchelvilleLightbox(this)\">\n                                    <\/div>\n                        \n                    <\/div>\n        \n                \n        <div class=\"timeline-event\">\n                            <div class=\"timeline-year\">2025-2026<\/div>\n                        \n            <h2 class=\"timeline-title\">Interpretive Center Archaeology: Stories Surround Us<\/h2>\n            \n                        \n                        \n                        \n                            <div class=\"timeline-description\">\n                    <p>The Interpretive Center will be the heart of Historic Mitchelville Freedom Park, welcoming in our visitors and helping tell the story of our past. But it may have been the heart of another community in the past too. Our archaeologists are working to learn more.<\/p>\n                <\/div>\n                        \n                            <div class=\"timeline-project-focus\">\n                    <h4>Project Focus:<\/h4>\n                    <ul>\n                                                    <li>Investigate deeply buried Native American evidence below where our Interpretive Center will be located<\/li>\n                                                    <li>Fully clear area destined for Interpretive Center of archaeological evidence before development occurs<\/li>\n                                            <\/ul>\n                <\/div>\n                        \n                        \n                            <div class=\"timeline-image\">\n                    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/exploremitchelville.org\/dig-site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/IMG_4730-200x267.jpg\" \n                         alt=\"Interpretive Center Archaeology: Stories Surround Us\"\n                         data-full=\"https:\/\/exploremitchelville.org\/dig-site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/IMG_4730.jpg\"\n                         data-caption=\"\"\n                         class=\"mitchelville-timeline-img\"\n                         onclick=\"openMitchelvilleLightbox(this)\">\n                                    <\/div>\n                        \n                    <\/div>\n        \n                \n        <!-- Lightbox Container -->\n        <div id=\"mitchelvilleLightbox\" class=\"mitchelville-lightbox\" onclick=\"closeMitchelvilleLightbox(event)\">\n            <span class=\"mitchelville-lightbox-close\" onclick=\"closeMitchelvilleLightbox(event)\">&times;<\/span>\n            <div class=\"mitchelville-lightbox-content\">\n                <img decoding=\"async\" id=\"mitchelvilleLightboxImg\" src=\"\" alt=\"\">\n                <div id=\"mitchelvilleLightboxCaption\" class=\"mitchelville-lightbox-caption\"><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n        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document.getElementById('mitchelvilleLightbox');\n                lightbox.classList.remove('active');\n                \n                \/\/ Restore body scroll\n                document.body.style.overflow = 'auto';\n            }\n        }\n        \n        \/\/ Close lightbox with ESC key\n        document.addEventListener('keydown', function(event) {\n            if (event.key === 'Escape') {\n                var lightbox = document.getElementById('mitchelvilleLightbox');\n                if (lightbox.classList.contains('active')) {\n                    lightbox.classList.remove('active');\n                    document.body.style.overflow = 'auto';\n                }\n            }\n        });\n        <\/script>\n    <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f0f9e7f elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"f0f9e7f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8af92f1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"8af92f1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-90190a3 e-flex e-con-boxed elementor-invisible e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"90190a3\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;,&quot;animation&quot;:&quot;fadeInUp&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3b89f5d elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"3b89f5d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">FAQ<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4de07dc elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"4de07dc\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b13caf2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-n-accordion\" data-id=\"b13caf2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;default_state&quot;:&quot;expanded&quot;,&quot;max_items_expended&quot;:&quot;one&quot;,&quot;n_accordion_animation_duration&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;ms&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:400,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]}}\" data-widget_type=\"nested-accordion.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-n-accordion\" aria-label=\"Accordion. Open links with Enter or Space, close with Escape, and navigate with Arrow Keys\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<details id=\"e-n-accordion-item-1850\" class=\"e-n-accordion-item\" open>\n\t\t\t\t<summary class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title\" data-accordion-index=\"1\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-expanded=\"true\" aria-controls=\"e-n-accordion-item-1850\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-header'><div class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title-text\"> What was Historic Mitchelville? <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-icon'>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-opened' ><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-minus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h384c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-closed'><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-plus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H272V64c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32h-32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v144H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h144v144c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h32c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32V304h144c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-1850\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fcaca0c e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"fcaca0c\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cd868fd elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"cd868fd\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The first self-governed town of formerly enslaved people, established in 1862 on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<details id=\"e-n-accordion-item-1851\" class=\"e-n-accordion-item\" >\n\t\t\t\t<summary class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title\" data-accordion-index=\"2\" tabindex=\"-1\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"e-n-accordion-item-1851\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-header'><div class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title-text\"> How do I access discoveries and research? <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-icon'>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-opened' ><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-minus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h384c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-closed'><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-plus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H272V64c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32h-32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v144H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h144v144c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h32c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32V304h144c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-1851\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fd27ab6 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"fd27ab6\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cc2d5c1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"cc2d5c1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>All findings are shared through this free digital archive and our social media @digmitchelville.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<details id=\"e-n-accordion-item-1852\" class=\"e-n-accordion-item\" >\n\t\t\t\t<summary class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title\" data-accordion-index=\"3\" tabindex=\"-1\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"e-n-accordion-item-1852\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-header'><div class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title-text\"> When is the next community archaeology event? <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-icon'>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-opened' ><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-minus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h384c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-closed'><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-plus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H272V64c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32h-32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v144H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h144v144c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h32c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32V304h144c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-1852\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a9b49b2 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"a9b49b2\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-dbea0c7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"dbea0c7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Follow @digmitchelville or contact Dr. Seeber for event announcements and registration.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<details id=\"e-n-accordion-item-1853\" class=\"e-n-accordion-item\" >\n\t\t\t\t<summary class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title\" data-accordion-index=\"4\" tabindex=\"-1\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"e-n-accordion-item-1853\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-header'><div class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title-text\"> Can anyone participate in archaeological work? <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-icon'>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-opened' ><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-minus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h384c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-closed'><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-plus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H272V64c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32h-32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v144H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h144v144c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h32c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32V304h144c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-1853\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ad57316 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"ad57316\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-af27945 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"af27945\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Yes! Our community events welcome all experience levels with professional archaeologist guidance.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-317f466b e-flex e-con-boxed elementor-invisible e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"317f466b\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;,&quot;animation&quot;:&quot;fadeInUp&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-43472488 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"43472488\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Community Programs<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3cc422fc elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"3cc422fc\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-522009e elementor-widget elementor-widget-shortcode\" data-id=\"522009e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"shortcode.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-shortcode\">        \n        <div class=\"dig-program-container\" id=\"dig-program-1\">\n            <div class=\"dig-program-carousel\">\n                                    <div class=\"dig-program-slide active\" data-index=\"0\">\n                        <div class=\"dig-program-content\">\n                            <div class=\"dig-program-image-section\">\n                                                                    <div class=\"dig-program-image-wrapper\" data-image=\"https:\/\/exploremitchelville.org\/dig-site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/event_flyer.jpeg\" data-title=\"Stories Surround Us: A Community Archaeology Town Hall\">\n                                        <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/exploremitchelville.org\/dig-site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/event_flyer-244x300.jpeg\" alt=\"Stories Surround Us: A Community Archaeology Town Hall\" class=\"dig-program-image\">\n                                        <div class=\"dig-program-image-overlay\">\n                                            <span class=\"dig-program-zoom-icon\">\ud83d\udd0d<\/span>\n                                        <\/div>\n                                    <\/div>\n                                                            <\/div>\n                            \n                            <div class=\"dig-program-details-section\">\n                                <h2 class=\"dig-program-title\">Stories Surround Us: A Community Archaeology Town Hall<\/h2>\n                                \n                                <div class=\"dig-program-date\">\n                                    Tuesday, October 21, 2025                                <\/div>\n                                \n                                <div class=\"dig-program-time\">\n                                    10:00AM - 12:00PM                                <\/div>\n                                \n                                                                    <div class=\"dig-program-location\">\n                                        1 Town Center Ct, Hilton Head Island, SC                                    <\/div>\n                                                                \n                                                            <\/div>\n                        <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                            <\/div>\n            \n            <!-- Navigation Arrows -->\n                    <\/div>\n        \n        <!-- Lightbox Modal -->\n        <div class=\"dig-program-lightbox\" id=\"dig-program-lightbox-1\">\n            <div class=\"dig-program-lightbox-overlay\"><\/div>\n            <div class=\"dig-program-lightbox-content\">\n                <button class=\"dig-program-lightbox-close\">&times;<\/button>\n                <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"\" alt=\"\" class=\"dig-program-lightbox-image\">\n                <div class=\"dig-program-lightbox-caption\"><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n        \n        <\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-25472c53 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"25472c53\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Archaeology Collections Since the 1980\u2019s, archaeologists have been uncovering the stories buried beneath Historic Mitchelville Freedom Park\u2014the first self-governed town of formerly enslaved people in the United States. From the pioneering work of the 1980s to recent community-engaged excavations, each project has added crucial pieces to our understanding of this sacred ground where freedom, democracy, [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-325","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/exploremitchelville.org\/dig-site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/325","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/exploremitchelville.org\/dig-site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/exploremitchelville.org\/dig-site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/exploremitchelville.org\/dig-site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/exploremitchelville.org\/dig-site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=325"}],"version-history":[{"count":139,"href":"https:\/\/exploremitchelville.org\/dig-site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/325\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1372,"href":"https:\/\/exploremitchelville.org\/dig-site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/325\/revisions\/1372"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/exploremitchelville.org\/dig-site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=325"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}