Archaeologist Tim Dinsmore at the Chapman-Hall House

Tim Dinsmore to discuss results of archaeological survey at Chapman-Hall House

Historical archaeologist Tim Dinsmore, who headed the 2022 archaeological survey of the grounds of the 1754 Chapman-Hall House in Damariscotta, will be on hand to discuss the objectives and results of his work on Saturday, May 31 from 12:30-4 p.m. One of the oldest standing houses in Damariscotta, this house museum, maintained by Lincoln County Historical Association, is located at 270 Main Street.

Artifacts recovered during the survey help to shed light into the material worlds of the Chapman, Halls, and other families that once occupied the homestead. These objects—found mostly in a highly fragmented state—provide tangible information about the everyday lives of these two families. 

On display will be a variety of ceramics and glassware, architecturally-related materials such as window glass, nails, and brick, personal items including clay tobacco pipes and buttons, and faunal material represented by animal, bird, and fish bones and shellfish. Augmenting the exhibit will be several 3-dimensional antiques and/or high-quality reproductions that allow visitors to see how the fragments might have looked in their original state. 

A site report that summarizes the results of Dinsmore’s archaeological work as well as photographs of the 2022 dig are included in this special exhibit.  Tim Dinsmore, a professional historical archaeologist, is the sole proprietor of Midcoast Archaeology.