The inaugural lecture of The Joffre Lanning Coe Lecture Series, October 7, 2006 featuring historic archaeologist Dr. Stanley A. South was presented to a full house audience at the North Carolina Museum of History auditorium.  South’s retrospective view of early historical archaeology at many of North Carolina’s most famous state historic sites was informative, exciting, emotional, and stimulating.  In his uniquely personal style South narrated slides spanning nearly fifty years of archaeology work in which he was involved and supported by teachers, co-workers, and family members.  Filled with emotion South departed the stage at the conclusion of his talk to a standing ovation that lasted several minutes in length. 

On Saturday afternoon, February 10, the North Carolina Museum of History auditorium was filled for the third event of The Joffre Lanning Coe Lecture Series, “Antietam, America’s Bloodiest Day” presented by Dr. Stephen Potter, Regional Archaeologist, Capitol District, National Park Service in Washington, DC.  Potter, who received his Ph.D. from UNC presented a passionate and energetic discussion of archaeological, historical and geophysical research conducted at the famous battleground.  An unidentified professional archaeologist casually remarked,” It was exciting to note that few of the audience members were associated with archaeology.  This event brought the public out in significant numbers on a cold, wintry day and clearly showed, like the previous lectures on historic archaeology and the Maya, that North Carolinians have a deep interest in gaining real knowledge about the distant past.  The Coe Foundation opened the door and invited these state agencies to share the experience.  I hope it continues!”

The Coe Foundation Board of Directors is pleased to announce the 2006 award recipients for signficant contributions to North Carolina archaeology, excellence in historical archaeology, and outstanding volunteerism.  These prestigious awards will be permanently named in honor of three individuals who have made lasting contributions to the enhancement of knowledge regarding archaeology in North Carolina: Joffre Lanning Coe, Stanley A. South, and Robert A. Schwager. 

The awards will be presented at the inaugural event of The Joffre Lanning Coe Lecture Series, to be held at 7:00pm, Saturday, October 7, 2006 in the North Carolina Museum of History. 

The Joffre Lanning Coe Award will be presented to former ALCOA employees Edwin A. Listerman and Norman L. Pierson in recognition of signficant statewide contributions leading to preservation, enhancement and better understanding of archaeological resources in North Carolina.  From the late 1970s to the early 1990s Listerman and Pierson engaged in innovative management strategies to protect and preserve two of America’s most famous archaeological sites, the Hardaway site located in Stanly County, NC and the Doerschuk site located in Montgomery County, NC.  These innovative strategies led to a more than 15-year secession of looting, designation of the Hardaway site as a National Historic Landmark, and listing of the Doershuk site in the National Register of Historic Places.  Without the dedication and commitment of Listerman and Pierson, and the Aluminum Company of America (ALCOA), two of America’s most important archaeological resources would have been forever lost.  However, due to the recipients’ unique efforts these ancient sites have been preserved for future generations. 

The first Stanley A. South Award for Excellence In Historical Archaeology will be presented to Stanley A. South in recognition of his many years of dedication and devotion to the field of historical archaeology.  South’s formative years were spent at UNC under the direction of Joffre Coe, before he accepted employment with the NC Division of Archives and History and began an unparalleled series of investigations at historic sites such as Bath, Brunswick Town, Halifax, Fort Fisher, and many others now recognized as prominent State Historic Sites.  South pioneered applications of science and statistical analysis in historic archaeology, discovered the Spanish fort of Santa Elena at Parris Island, SC, and has authored numerous books and professional articles, including volumes of poetry.  South is considered among the giants of historical archaeology and was once referred to by Joffre Coe as “…a national treasure.”

The first Robert A. Schwager Award for Volunteerism will be presented to retired Progress Energy employee Robert A. Schwager, a 19-year volunteer at the Office of State Archaeology, a former Executive Director of The Coe Foundation, and a current member of the Board of Directors.  Mr. Schwager is a professional engineer, a veteran of the US Navy, and played an important role in the direction of the NASA Apollo missions before he joined Progress Energy’s nuclear power program.  Mr. Schwager has volunteered in the laboratory, on field excavations and special projects; he has made significant financial contributions to CFAR; presented numerous educational lectures to school groups; designed and donated specialized equipment to the Office of State Archaeology Research Center; and has served as an advocate for archaeology attempting to call legislative attention to the needs of preservation, archaeological research and public education in North Carolina.  Mr. Schwager’s selfless dedication and generosity epitomize the term “volunteer.”

The Coe Foundation has forged a new collaborative partnership with the Historical Publications Section of the North Carolina Office of Archives and History to publish a special limited edition of Joffre Lanning Coe’s classic work, “The Formative Cultures of the Carolina Piedmont.” Considered traditionally among America’s most important archaeological publications, this manuscript has been out of print for nearly twenty years and has become a much sought after collector’s item. Individual copies, particularly first editions, command high prices on various websites. Soon you can have your own personal copy at a very reasonable cost. For more information about the publication’s availability or to reserve copies at a special discount available for CFAR members, send an email expressing your request to contact@coe-foundation.org .

Excavations of the Hayti Dump located near the DBAP in Durham produced hundreds of artifacts related to the affluent African-American community in Hayti which was sometimes identified as “the Wall Street of the African-American community.” This late 19th-early 20th century artifact collection has recently been processed by volunteers and students working at the Office of State Archaeology Research Center. Artifacts included numerous bottles, fragments of metal, glass, and porcelain as well as unique objects such as a French-manufactured shaving cream jar and a small porcelain figurine.–Dr. Billy Oliver

The Coe Foundation is collaborating with the North Carolina Museum of History, the Division of State History Sites and Properties, and the North Carolina Museum of Natural Science to establish “The Joffre Lanning Coe Lecture Series.” The North Carolina Humanities Council is also contributing funding to help make this series a success.

The four-part series, to run through 2007, will feature archaeologists
Dr. Stanley South, noted historical archaeologist, Dr. George Stuart, Mayan specialist, Dr. Stephen Potter, Civil War expert, and Dr. David Hurst Thomas, Curator at the Museum of Natural History in New York.

Look for more about this series in our next newsletter.

The Coe Foundation for Archaeological Research is dedicated to the preservation of North Carolina’s archaeological past as well as to the education of the public about the richness and variety of the state’s archaeological resources.

Volunteers and interested non-archaeologists have been crucial to the work of CFAR from the beginning. This Weblog will serve as an online journal about the work those volunteers are doing, as well as a convenient place to keep everyone up-to-date on the events and projects with which CFAR is involved.