Sandwich Historical Society Junior Historian Field School, Summer 2011 

The Junior Historians had a brief, but intense series of activities this summer. On the first day, fifteen kids showed up for a flintknapping workshop with Terry Fifield, the White Mountain National Forest archaeologist. They learned what materials are used to make stone tools, and a little bit about how to do it -- projectile points are very difficult to create! Terry also showed them how to use a Native American atlatl, or spear thrower.
 

The second day of the program offered Sandwich Jr. Historians a review of archaeological sites in the area. Sarah Jordan, archaeologist from the White Mountain National Forest, led three Jr. Historians and two volunteers in a discussion of the archaeological process. Starting at Meade Base, with an examination of the Lewis B. Smith site, the group then examined and interpreted some of the artifacts found during a dig the Girl Scouts completed several years ago. The kids were invited to draw and write about the artifacts and how they imagined the family's life on the site to have been. The second part of the program was a hike to the Lewis B. Smith homestead site in Sandwich Notch, previously a dig by Jr. Historians, to survey the layout of the site and preview possible future next steps. The day ended with a stop at the Family's burial site to discuss the family tree and to again imagine the life the family members may have had.

The program concluded with Suzanne Pohl, who took 2 intrepid young women out into Sandwich Notch, drawing, writing, exploring and taking pictures. Joan Cook talked with all of them after the trip, explaining the nature of life in Sandwich notch and the Intervale 200 years ago. The young historians took photographs and sketches and were to put them together into a computer presentation to keep

            2010 - Jr. Historian Field School

This summer's project included a study of the Lakes Region Conservation Trust's "Red Hill Pond Trail" in Center Sandwich near the fairgrounds. The children learned about the property's historic landscape, participate in hands-on archaeological field and laboratory experiences, explore the natural and built environment, and participate in light trail work. The cost was sponsored by the Suzita Cecil Myers Schneider Fund and contributions to the Society.