Tuesday, December 10, 2024: Dr. Seth Schneider, UW-Milwaukee, Pratt Trail in Menominee Park

More information coming soon!

November Meeting: The November meeting of the Robert Ritzenthaler Archeological Society will be held on Tuesday evening, November 12, 2024 at 7 pm in Halsey Hall 228 at UW-Oshkosh.

Speaker: Dan Seurer

Title: “History and Archeological Potential of Wisconsin Lime Production Facilities”

Abstract: Wisconsin has a long history in the production of lime and related products. With easy access to high quality dolostone (a variant of limestone), the state was well positioned for producing lime for the construction and paper making industries. In the early 20th century, Wisconsin was the third largest producer of lime and Wisconsin’s Western Lime and Stone was the largest such company in the United States. In this presentation, we will focus on the history of lime production from the region around Lake Winnebago and the Fox Valley area. Early lime production from places such as Fort Howard through the small pre-industrial era facilities through to the larger industrial size plants will be covered. Finally, we will discuss the archeological potential of the early lime facilities, including how to identify potential unknown kilns through examination of literature and historical maps and field surveys.

Other upcoming presentations:
Tuesday, December 10, 2024: Dr. Seth Schneider, UW-Milwaukee, Pratt Trail in Menominee Park

Please join the Robert Ritzenthaler Archaeological Society for a presentation on Silver Mound by Robert “Ernie” Boszhardt of Driftless Pathways

The Speaker will be Melanie Radzicki McManus. She is the author of the memoir Thousand-Miler: Adventures Hiking the Ice Age Trail published by the Wisconsin Historical Society Press, 2017. She will talk about her record-setting trek along the 1,200-mile Ice Age National Scenic Trail. She will also speak about the history of the National Scenic Trail system and how the Ice Age Trail came into being. She also wrote "100 Things to do in Wisconsin Dells Before You Die". Both books will be available for purchase after her talk.

September 14, 2024
10am – 2pm

Location TBD

Registration Required

More details coming soon!

August 17, 2024
10am - 2pm

Roche-a-Cri State Park
1767 Hwy 13 Friendship, WI 53934

Free to the Public

More details coming soon!

Speaker:
Dr. George Christianson III

Tentative Title:
Forthcoming

Abstract:
Forthcoming

Speaker:
Dr. Richard W. Edwards, IV

Title: There’s No Place Like Home: An Investigation of Oneota Houses

Abstract: Houses are often central locations for social and economic behavior. Anthropologists often center their studies on houses and households because their design and layout, individually and collectively, can provide insights into the culture and daily life of the people of a given community. This was as true a thousand years ago as it is today, though the study of ancient houses is often hampered by incomplete structures and limited excavation. This talk describes what is known about houses in what is now Wisconsin during the Late Precontact (ca. AD 1100-1400) period and discusses what these structures tell us about these ancient communities.

Click here for more information!

Details to be announced

Speaker:
Dr. William Balco

Tentative Title:
Forthcoming

Abstract:
Forthcoming

Speaker:
Kurt Sampson

Tentative Title:
Forthcoming

Abstract:
Forthcoming

10 am - 2 pm
Camp Mercer Interpretive Trail - see the DNR website for details on how to access the trail
https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/StateForests/nhal/history

The Civilian Conservation Corp administrative camp, Camp Mercer, in Manitowish, contains a self-guided interpretive trail open year-round. In 2023, the entrance to the camp will be rebuilt adding to its original ambience. Several members-only tours are planned throughout the day by guides who were part of the rediscovery and interpretation of this important camp. Also, the discovery included a previous logging operation and evidence of moonshining - both part of the tour!

Speaker:
Dr. Seth Schneider

Tentative Title:
A Late Precontact Village on the Western Shore of Lake Winnebago in the City of Neenah

Abstract:
Forthcoming

Speaker:
Jaremy Cobble

Title:
“Archaeological Investigations at the Henschel Site (47SB29): A Multicomponent Site in the Sheboygan River Watershed”

Abstract:
The Henschel site (47SB29) is a multicomponent site within the Sheboygan River Watershed, spanning Late Paleoindian to Postcontact (ca. 8000 BC to ca. 1850 AD). Over the past one-hundred years, the Henschel site has been the location of several archaeological investigations. This presentation will focus primarily on three excavations: a suspected Middle Wooodland mound investigated in the early Twentieth Century by local antiquarians, an Early Woodland village site excavated by the Milwaukee Public Museum (Archaeological Rescue) from 1987-1989 and a Red Ocher burial by Marquette University in 1996, which was accidentally discovered. Various aspects of the excavations will also be compared with other similar sites in the Midwest.

1 PM - 3 PM: Forest Hill Cemetery

3 PM - 5 PM: Hoyt Park Roys Shelter

For the General Public and Membership

Please join us at the gravesite of C.E. Brown in Forest Hill Cemetery on May 13, 2023 for recognition of the life and work of Charles E. Brown by Robert Birmingham. A tour of the Forest Hill Cemetery Group will follow. Upon completion of the tour, join Society members at the Hoyt Park Roys Shelter for light appetizers, beverages, conversation and reflection.

Days of Ore
Underwater Archaeological Investigations of Freedom Iron Mine, Captain C. T. Robert’s Wet Prospect

Please register for this free Charles E. Brown Lecture at: https://wihist.org/CEB-Nov22

In the early decades of the twentieth century, there was a brief boom in industrial-scale iron mining in the Baraboo Range Iron District in central Wisconsin. Freedom Mine, located in LaRue, Wisconsin, is one of the few examples of these iron ore mines left in the region, and its underground workings remain immaculately preserved underwater. Facing an ever present threat of flooding while in operation, the site was rapidly inundated in 1911, causing miners to leave tools and equipment in place. Today, this allows archaeologists a rare opportunity to study how these iron mines operated. Although operations at the Freedom Mine were relatively small and short-lived, the site’s features are illustrative of the region’s typical mining practices. Utilizing underwater archaeological survey, and surveys of the site’s remaining historic foundations, this presentation examines Freedom Mine as a representative example of iron mining in Wisconsin and highlights the most recent archaeological work completed at the site.

Zoom presentation: November 10, 2022, 7:00 PM.

Free and Open to the Public

Experience archaeology and learn about Native American cultural resources at the UWM-Waukesha Field Station. All are welcome to attend!

Participate in archaeological surveys and excavations, see real artifacts, bring yours for identification, make stone tools and pottery, and learn about Wisconsin’s rich past and indigenous peoples and cultures. Wear outdoor clothing, we’ll provide equipment and refreshments.

https://uwm.edu/waukesha/field-station/

On August 13th the WAS will be hosting a social event at the Historic Indian Agency House (HIAH). WAS members are welcome to join in excavations with the purchase or proof of HIAH membership (please register here: https://www.agencyhouse.org/archaeology). Tours and a social dinner at the Trails Lounge Supper Club in Portage (please RSVP to Bobbie Goodman at 608-429-3046 by August 12th) will be available to WAS members.

Please click here to read the Preservation of the Old Indian Agency House article if you are interested in more information on the preservation and history of the HIAH!

For information on the event, click here!