New Native American Exhibit installed at Colonial Beach Historical Society and Museum

We are happy to announce that our new Native American Exhibit, curated by the archeology team at William and Mary’s Center for Archaeological Research (WMCAR), was installed at the Museum this week. The team from WMCAR has been hard at work on this project since 2007, when a survey was conducted prior to the construction of a new bridge in the area of Wilkerson’s Restaurant, sponsored by the Virginia Department of Transportation.

This survey revealed the Gouldman Oyster Shell Midden, named for property owners Moore and Teresa Gouldman. In 2008, an additional survey confirmed that the site was an oyster midden dating from 500 B.C to 1000 A.D., during the Middle Woodland period.

Post survey, the team transferred the artifacts uncovered during the survey to WMCAR for cataloging and cleaning of the items on site. The artifacts were recently delivered to the Museum for installation at the request of the Gouldman family, who supported this effort with a generous donation.

The staff of the Colonial Beach Historical Society and Museum extend our gratitude to Moore and Teresa Gouldman for their generosity and support of this project. We are likewise grateful for the efforts of the WMCAR team. Our thanks to WMCAR staffers Elizabeth Monroe and Michele Brumfield for their work on this project and for Michele’s installation of this wonderful exhibit. An exhibit opening is in the works and will be announced soon.