Richard F. Veit, Ph.D., professor of anthropology and interim dean of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, is the featured presenter in the Archeological Society of New Jersey’s online speaker series, “Searching for the ‘Lighthouse Fort and the Refugee Town’ on Sandy Hook, Public Archaeology at a Storied Historical Site.” The talk has been rescheduled to May 23 at 7 p.m. The event is free but advanced registration is required and attendance is limited to 100.
Since 1764, the Sandy Hook Lighthouse has guarded the treacherous approaches to New York Harbor. During the American Revolution, Continental forces unsuccessfully tried to deny the British control of the lighthouse. British troops and partisans captured Sandy Hook early in the war and, despite repeated raids by Continental forces, retained control of the Hook until the end of the conflict. Indeed, the British fortified the lighthouse and Loyalists, many of African descent, constructed a Refugee Town near the light which served as a base of operations for raiding parties along the Jersey shore.
Monmouth University’s 2016 archaeological field school was a cooperative endeavor with National Park Service, designed to investigate the lighthouse property while providing local residents with an opportunity to participate in archaeological fieldwork at a significant local historic site. The project resulted in an improved understanding of the site and built local interest in regional archaeology. It provides a model for public archaeology at a beloved and nationally significant historic site.
To attend the meeting, please send an email to ASNJ.Presentations@gmail.com. You will receive an autoreply with the Zoom Meeting ID # and Password #. You must enter both to join the meeting. Attendance is limited to the fist 100 people.
A recording of the presentation will subsequently be uploaded to the ASNJ’s YouTube Channel.
