In the fall of 2022, Tim Dinsmore directed an archeological investigation into the earliest occupation of Damariscotta’s Chapman-Hall homestead and the integrity of artifacts currently on display within the circa 1754 house museum. He will present the results of the field work and subsequent artifact analysis at the Damariscotta Town Office, located at 21 School Street at 7 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 20. The public is invited to this free event.

Dinsmore’s presentation, “Below Ground at the Chapman-Hall House – An Archaeological Interpretation” will discuss the many objectives in conducting the project, including the determination of the earliest occupation of the homestead, and the integrity of its archaeological deposits. Another objective was to determine whether objects currently housed and on exhibit within the house museum actually reflect the types of material goods that the Chapman and Hall families once possessed.

When the house was acquired by the Chapman-Hall House Preservation Society in 1960, the house was unfurnished. Under the guidance of historic preservationist Abbott Lowell Cummings, items representative of the time periods 1754, 1790 and 1820 were acquired. Dinsmore’s archaeological survey subsequently uncovered numerous artifacts of actual objects that the Chapman, Hall and Dodge families possessed.

A professional historical archaeologist and proprietor of Midcoast Archaeology, Dinsmore has 35 years of experience including management of educational outreach, field schools, cultural research, and other research projects throughout Maine. Dinsmore attended both the University of Maine at Orono and the College of William & Mary, Williamsburg, Virginia.

The Chapman-Hall House Museum is owned and operated by the Lincoln County Historical Association (LCHA) and managed by the Chapman-Hall House Museum Stewardship Committee. The archeological investigation was made possible by financial support from LCHA and many generous financial donations.