2026 Port Tobacco Market Day

The Society for the Restoration of Port Tobacco's Seventeenth Annual Market Day was held May 2 in Historic Port Tobacco Village.  CCASM was there as well as local craft vendors, the garden club plant sale, a white elephant sale, and tables for various nonprofits.  And what would a market day outside a courthouse be without musicians?  Everything from banjos to the youth orchestra.  

CCASM put out its display highlighting some of the history of Port Tobacco including some of the results from archaeology done around 2008 in the Historic Port Tobacco Village and most of the visitors stopped by to look at this display.  We have had the display for a lot of years, but it always seems to attract people.  A visit to the CCASM tent would not be complete without there being some activity.  This year we had  an activity that highlighted the three different type of ceramics- earthenware, stoneware, and porcelain.  A potter stopped by to talk to us about some of the ceramics.  So we had an opportunity to learn.  We also had two flag "plates" for people to mend, but only had one person who tried.  We talked to so many people who expressed an interest in archaeology.  It was a very good day (in spite of being so cold). 

CCASM's Table

Public Archaeology is that way

Since the ASM Field Session will be in Charles County again this year, we made sure to tell everyone about this unique opportunity.  In case people didn't know what people do a field session, we had a display showing what to expect, and a number of people scanned the QR code.

Public Archaeology was occurring at the same time at the Swann Site to the southwest of the Courthouse.  We directed a number of people to the site where CCASM members Denise and Elsie were assisting Esther Doyle Read, the Charles County Archaeologist.  

Esther with CCASM volunteers (some helping, some watching)
and a boy that volunteered most of the day.

Thanks to Linda, Claudia, and Carol for representing CCASM at this event.  Also thanks to Linda and Doug for providing the table and the large tent.

 

2025 Port Tobacco Market Day

The rain held off this year and the Society for the Restoration of Port Tobacco's Sixteenth Annual Market Day could be held on May 3 in Historic Port Tobacco Village.  As on all the previous Market Days CCASM had a tent at the event.  There were local craft vendors, the garden club plant sale, a white elephant sale, and tables for various nonprofits.  And what would a market day outside a courthouse be without musicians?  Everything from banjos to the youth orchestra.  

Market Day is always a great day for sharing information (both ways) about archaeology, and lots of people stopped by our tent.

CCASM put out its display highlighting some of the history of Port Tobacco including some of the results from archaeology done around 2008 in the Historic Port Tobacco Village.  A visit to the CCASM tent would not be complete without there being some activity.  This year we had the  "What is It?" activity that highlights different type of indigenous artifacts - fire-cracked rocks, cores, flakes, and indigenous earthenware ceramics.  It's always fun to use the display and the display to talk with people. 

Checking out Display
(and being asked to pose for camera)

 

 

Since the ASM Field Session will be in Charles County this year, we made sure to tell everyone about this unique opportunity.  In case people didn't know what people do a field session, we had a display showing what to expect, and a number of people scanned the QR code.

 

Public Archaeology was occurring at the same time at the Swann Site to the southwest of the Courthouse.  We directed a number of people to the site where CCASM members Denise and Elsie were assisting Esther Doyle Read, the Charles County Archaeologist.

Thanks to Evie, Peggy, and Carol for representing CCASM at this event. 

2024 Port Tobacco Market Day

The Society for the Restoration of Port Tobacco (SRPT) Fourteenth Annual Market Day at the Port Tobacco Courthouse was supposed to be May 4, but it rained on that day.  The rain date was May 18.  Unfortunately rain was predicted for the 18th, but SRPT decided to hold the event anyway.   Many vendors decided not to have a tent at the event, but the Garden Club still had its annual plant sale.  Plants don't mind the rain.   Local musical groups performed in the Courthouse, and there were speakers so we could also hear the music outside.

All the tents were placed close together, and CCASM had a tent next to the Society's tents.  CCASM always tries to have a display and at least one activity.  CCASM's display highlighted archaeology done at Port Tobacco.  The activity this year involved identifying various types of ceramics.  Everything got a little damp.  There were not as many people at the event, but we still had a number of interesting conversations.  Those representing CCASM at various times during the day were Claudia, Carol A, Evie, Linda, Pat, Carol C, and Malinda. 

Having fun staying out of the rain

The "Market Day" Public Archaeology that was planned for the Swann Site had to be cancelled for Saturday.  Digging and screening in mud isn't recommended (or fun).  However, the weather is predicted to be sunny on Sunday.  So there should be Public Archaeology on Sunday.

Thanks to Claudia, Carol A, Evie, Linda, Pat, Carol C for representing CCASM and to Malinda for assisting at the CCASM table.

2023 Market Day and Public Archaeology

Saturday, May 6, The Society for the Restoration of Port Tobacco held its Fourteenth Annual Market Day at the Port Tobacco Courthouse.  As in previous years there were tables with a diversity of things to buy including lots of plants and also tables with information about various non-profit groups in the County.     Attendees also could listen to performances by several local musical groups.  

Once again CCASM had a table on the south side of the Courthouse.  CCASM's largest display highlighted archaeology done at Port Tobacco.  The activity this year involved identifying various types of Native American artifacts.  There were lots of visitors to the table, and we even got two new members.  Those representing CCASM at various times during the day were Linda, Denise, Pat, Peggy, Carol, and Claudia.

Assisting young boy with
Identifying Artifacts

Talking about Archaeology
and CCASM

Just catching up

We also directed people to the two other locations highlighting archaeology in the Village.  The main draw was the Public Archaeology at the Swann House Site that was southwest of the Courthouse.   CCASM members Mary, Elsie, and Steve along with four UMBC students assisted the public at the site while Esther Read told the story of James Swann and the site, but also talked about archaeology.  We were investigating a 3'x5' unit in the "chimney fall" area that keeps getting stranger and stranger.  Work continued on the unit after Market Day ended with Ned and Pat joining the other CCASM members already volunteering on the site.

Sifting mostly brick related debitage

Telling the story of James Swann
and the site

We also directed people to the Blacksmith Site the was north of the Agricultural Heritage Museum.  CCASM member Ned talked about that site and blacksmithing in general, but also provided information about putting tobacco in hogsheads and other farming information for the handful of people who made there way to the Museum.

At the Blacksmith Site

Thanks to Linda, Denise, Peggy, Pat, and Carol for representing CCASM and to Claudia for assisting at the CCASM table.
Thanks to Mary, Elsie, and Steve for helping Esther at the dig. 
And thanks to Ned for all he did at the Blacksmith Site and the Museum.
That's a lot of people helping to make this outreach opportunity a success.  So a lot of thanks.

Also thanks to Frank and Pat for providing some of the photos.

2022 Port Tobacco Market Day

On a hotter than normal Saturday and after having been rained out on a previous Saturday, the Society for the Restoration of Port Tobacco's Thirteenth Annual Market Day was held May 21 in Historic Port Tobacco Village.  As on all the previous Market Days CCASM had a tent at the event.  There were local craft vendors, the garden club plant sale, a white elephant sale, and tables for various "history-related" nonprofits.  And what would a market day outside a courthouse be without musicians?  There was even an area where you could get vaccinated. 

Market Day is always a great day for sharing information (both ways) about archaeology. 

CCASM put out its display highlighting some of the history of  Port Tobacco including some of the results from archaeology done at Port Tobacco around 2008.  We also had information relating to CCASM and Maryland Archaeology Month (even if it is no longer April).  A visit to the CCASM tent would not be complete without there being some activity.  Most years at Market Day our activity is washing artifacts.  This year the artifacts were glass fragments recovered from Port Tobacco Area B Feature 1 during the excavations done prior to the reconstruction of the Courthouse.

Start of day, waiting and washing

No longer waiting, but still washing

Thanks to Elsie, Linda, Peggy, and Carol for representing CCASM at the event.

2021 Port Tobacco Market Day

Saturday, June 4 was the Society for the Restoration of Port Tobacco's Twelfth Annual Market Day in Historic Port Tobacco Village.  Numerous vendors as well as several non-profits including CCASM had tables at the event. 

Market Day is a always great day for talking to people about archaeology.  And people told us about the artifacts they have found on their property.   CCASM had a display as well as information about what CCASM does.  Our "activity" was demonstrating how to wash artifacts - artifacts recovered from Port Tobacco.   And during the day musicians were performing on the Courthouse steps.

Thanks to Linda, Denise, Mary, Elsie, Peggy, and Carol for representing CCASM.

2019 Port Tobacco Market Day

Saturday, May 4 was the Port Tobacco's Tenth Annual Market Day in Historic Port Tobacco Village.  Numerous vendors of crafts, foods, and plants as well as several non-profits including CCASM had tables at the event.  Next door at Stagg Hall the Piscataway Conoy Tribe had a number of displays celebrating "We Are Still Here".

Market Day is a always great day for talking to people about archaeology.  CCASM had displays and an activity to share with people stopping.  Also people told us about the artifacts they have found on their property.  And during the whole day musician were performing on the Courthouse steps near our table.

Thanks to Elsie and Carol for representing CCASM.

2018 Port Tobacco Market Day

Saturday, May 5, CCASM was one of several non-profits to have tables at The Society for the Restoration of Port Tobacco's Ninth Annual Market Day in Historic Port Tobacco Village.  And there were so many people that stopped by to hear about archaeology and also to share their knowledge of the area.

But this event was really about being a market day, and there were numerous vendors of crafts, vintage items, foods, and plants.  The Charles County Garden Club had its annual plant sale.  And let's not forget the live music.

Thanks to Elsie, Denise, and Carol for representing CCASM.

Public Archaeology at 2017 Port Tobacco Market Day

Saturday, May 20 was the 8th Port Tobacco Market Day, and once again Charles County sponsored a public archaeology event in front of  Stagg Hall in Historic Port Tobacco.  This was a continuation of the excavation of a half unit that contained part of the foundation of an earlier building that had housed a print shop in the nineteenth century. 

Experienced CCASM members Evelyn, Elsie, Jeanne Marie, Steve, and Carol assisted Charles County Archaeologist Esther Doyle Reed.  At least four other people joined us in screening the artifacts.  And, of course, numerous people stopped by to see what we were doing.

During the morning we chose an early nineteenth century green edged rim as the artifact of the day.  This was found inside the building.  But in the afternoon we recovered at least three early nineteenth century wine bottle bases with kick-ups outside the building.  We also removed lots of mortar and some bricks from the building.  And, yes, we continue to recover printer type.
    

Excavating the Half-Unit
 

Artifact of the morning-
green edged rim

CCASM Table
 

CCASM also had a "public awareness" booth that included the display "Looking at Water's Edge in Charles County. 

We would like to thank Evelyn for providing the photos

May 14 Public Archaeology at Port Tobacco Market Day

Saturday, May 14 was Port Tobacco Market Day, and Charles County also sponsored a public archaeology event in front of  Stagg Hall.  CCASM had a presence at both.

CCASM had a "public awareness" booth in front of Stagg Hall with several displays as well as the seeds activity (archaeobotany) for children.  Barbara, Carol, and Peggy helped man the booth and had an enjoyable day talking to all the people that stopped by.
 
Esther Read was in charge of the public archaeology, and the existing excavation site was expanded to try to follow the exposed foundation.  Experienced CCASM members assisting with the public  were Elsie, Steve, and Peggy.

Esther, Elsie, and Carol also gave a walking archaeology tour of Port Tobacco that included stops at the Courthouse the Burch House, the James Swann site, and the jail site.

And everyone still had time to visit some of the vendors at Market Day as well as to sample some of the food.

2015 Port Tobacco Market Day

May 2 was the 6th Annual Market Day at the Port Tobacco Historic Village.   CCASM  had a booth at the event that included the Port Tobacco tri-fold showing some of the archaeology done in Port Tobacco.  A table displayed mended vessels recovered from the archaeology done at Burch House, one of the eighteenth century houses in Port Tobacco.  The booth also had a children's activity table and the display on what is involved in investigating a site.

As you can see the day was beautiful.  And a lot of people stopped by and talked.  What you don't see are all the children around the children's activity table (forgot to take a picture).  You also don't see all the other vendors that were at the event.  
 
Thanks to all the CCASM members that helped out -- Jim, Sarah, Barbara, Carol, and Lindsey -- as well as those that stopped by -- Julie, Carole, and Steve.  Also thanks to Debbie, not a member, who helped out with the children activities.

2014 Port Tobacco Market Day

May 3 was the fifth Port Tobacco Market Day.  It included vendors of antiques, crafts, and food.  The Charles County Garden Club had their annual plant sale.

And once again CCASM was there with our archaeological displays and activities.   In addition to our regular displays, Jim brought artifacts - ceramics and animal bones- from the Burch House excavations.   Polly brought a new display/activity showing how what we leave behind tells archaeologist what we were doing.  Rich and Barbara came up with a new activity involving broken dishes.

Members helping out at the booth were Jim, Elsie, Barbara, Peggy, Rich, and Carol.  As usual I got caught up with talking with people and forgot to take that many pictures.  Here are some photos from the slower times.

   

Charles County Government and the Society of the Restoration for Port Tobacco (SRPT) recently formed a partnership for operating the historic Port Tobacco Courthouse, Stagg Hall, and Burch House.  The day started with a ribbon-cutting event at 9 a.m. to celebrate this partnership.

SRPT Board and County Employees

SRPT and County Commissioners

Washing Artifacts at Port Tobacco Market Day

At Port Tobacco Market Day on Saturday May 19 CCASM was supposed to wash artifacts beside the Burch House that is south of the Courthouse.  We actually did wash some artifacts in the shade of an apple tree, but most of our time was spent talking to people about Port Tobacco archaeology and about CCASM.  

A lot of people came by to see the Burch House that was open for the first time in many years.  Cathy Thompson of Charles County Planning had set up two displays inside - one highlighting the 3-D modelling of Port Tobacco buildings done by Alex D'Amore and the other indicating the layout of the town in the 1700's done by a CCASM member.  Also people got to see the newly completed bathroom addition.

In addition to many of CCASM's regular exhibits, Rich Gorski had an interactive activity for children.  Other members helping were Phil Angle, Carol Cowherd, Barbara Kane, and Elsie Picyk.

(Sorry there aren't more pictures.  When there's so much going on, it's hard to remember to stop and take a photo.)

Washing Artifacts at Port Tobacco Market Day

CCASM participated in the 2nd Annual Market Day at Port Tobacco on Saturday May 14.  Our major activity was washing artifacts excavated April 30 at the Burch House (see posting Excavating at Burch House).

CCASM regulars that helped wash were Phil Angle, Carol Cowherd, Joshus Eller,  Jim Gibb, Rich Gorksi, and Steve Lohr.  We also had help from a number of other volunteers, some of which can be seen in the photos. Despite the rain we had an enjoyable day washing artifacts and meeting others interested in archeology.

Due to the weather, the Port Tobacco Display could not be used.  We did have several waterproof pages with diagnostic information, but the main attraction was the artifacts being washed.

Washing Artifacts at Port Tobacco Restoration Society Market Day

On May 15 members of CCAS washed artifacts discovered during the recent excavations at the Burch House.  Jim Gibb and Scott Lawrence of PTAP provided the equipment and also helped with the washing. This was part of the first Port Tobacco Restoration Society Market Day.

Carole, Carol, Elsie, Cathy, Jane, Dan

Pictured above are CCAS members Carole Raucheisen, Carol Cowherd, Elsie Picyk, Jane Keller, and Dan Keller along with Cathy Thompson, Charles County Preservation Planner.  CCAS member Steve Lohr also participated.