The Speaker's House is partnering with Ursinus College to offer an Archaeology Field School, the first in a multi-year research project at The Speaker's House. Its purpose is to inform the restoration and interpretation of the site, which is most notable as the home of Frederick Muhlenberg (1750-1801), first Speaker of the U.S. House. The site was occupied from 1764-2002 and, in addition to being Muhlenberg's house, was home to an early piano maker from 1803-08 and an Ursinus College dormitory from 1924-44 before returning to single-family residency and then apartment housing. This complex history, along with the site's remarkable intactness, makes it an exciting place to conduct archaeological research.  It is also one of the few sites in the region that will yield information on domestic as well as agricultural and commercial uses. Planned excavations include test units in the vicinity of Muhlenberg's general store; a 1700s bake oven; and several outbuildings. Students will learn how archaeological data is integrated with historical information to yield a more accurate interpretation of the past.

For more information and an application, please contact:
Allison Weiss, Executive Director
The Speaker's House
524 W. Main Street, Collegeville, PA 19426 
610-489-2105 or allison.weiss@speakershouse.org

A one-page application must be filed with The Speaker's House no later than June 1, 2008.