Acknowledgments
First, we would like to thank the Virginia Department of Transportation for funding this project. Careful coordination between the William & Mary Center for Archaeological Research, VDOT, and the Virginia Department of Historic Resources allowed us to develop solid lines of research. Even though these rather recent sites are rarely considered for intensive excavation, the project demonstrates the value of archaeology, even alongside the extensive documentary record that survives for twentieth-century Danville. VDOT should also be commended for their commitment to public dissemination of archaeological research through websites like these and through other media. Archaeologists at VDOT to whom we owe special thanks for their coordination efforts are Mary Ellen Hodges, now with the Central Office, and Erica Jeter of the Richmond District.
In the documentary research phase, we were grateful for insights and information from several residents of the Danville area. Mrs. Linda Kirby Newman responded to our questionnaire about growing up in Schoolfield with vivid recollections that gave us an important perspective on the mill village. Mr. Ray Hayes of the Schoolfield Historical Society kindly circulated the questionnaire and pointed us to several useful sources.
At W&MCAR, project archaeologist Tom Higgins directed the excavations and prepared a thoughful discussion of the findings and their implications. Kimberly Ettinger conducted rigourous documentary research, using census records and other information to reconstruct the sequence of residents on the two sites. John Underwood and Douglas Ross also conducted historical research. Interpretation of the sites was enhanced by the special analyses of several consultants. Greg Brown of the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation analyzed faunal remains (animal bone) recovered from the sites. Leslie Hunt of the University of Massachusetts—Boston examined soil samples to detect parasites that may have affected the health of Front Street residents. Justine McKnight identified and analyzed plant remains found in water-screened soil samples. Field crew members included Courtney Birkett, Elizabeth Burling, Danielle Cozart, Jack Gary, Maggie Ortzman, and Douglas Ross. Deborah L. Davenport supervised laboratory processing and conducted the artifact analysis and inventory. Final illustrations for the report and the website were prepared by Eric Agin. David Lewes designed and contributed to the website.
