Excavations behind the Stevens/Smith house revealed a modified cistern, possibly used as a refuge for fugitives escaping to the North Overview of the Stevens and Smith Archaeological Site Archaeological work began on the site of the Thaddeus Stevens and Lydia Hamilton Smith Houses in downtown Lancaster, PA in the fall of 2002. The houses sit in the footprint of a proposed convention center and hotel complex. Because Stevens was an important historical figure, a local preservation group (Historic Preservation Trust of Lancaster County) approached Drs. James Delle (Kutztown University) and Mary Ann Levine (Franklin and Marshall College) with a proposal to begin an archaeological dig. The excavation produced a number of unanticipated and interesting objects, not the least of which was a modified cistern. The cistern, which in the late 1700s and early 1800s served as a water storage tank, was modified in the middle of the 19th century. The modifications included the sealing of the drain into the cistern so that water could not enter, and the construction and later filling of a small tunnel that led into the adjacent building, known as the Kleiss Saloon. This tavern was owned by Thaddeus Stevens from 1843 until his death in 1868. We know from historic sources that Stevens, an outspoken critic of slavery, lost his party's nomination for his own congressional seat in 1852. From that time until 1858, Stevens lived and practiced law in Lancaster. It is during this period that we believe Stevens and his companion Lydia Hamilton Smith were active in the Underground Railroad. During these years Stevens built an extensive addition onto his house. It was also during this time that the cistern was abandoned and modified. We believe that the cistern and tunnel were used as a hiding place along the Underground Railroad. Since the Fall of 2002, students and faculty from Franklin and Marshall College and Kutztown University of Pennsylvania have used the archaeological excavation and the artifacts recovered from the dig as a teaching and learning tool. This poster explores some of the ways the Stevens and Smith Archaeological Project has been used in college curricula.

Lindsey Friedman carrying out her Franklin and Marshall Service Learning project at Buchanan Elementary Elements of pedagogy Students and teachers used the archaeology project in several ways. The faculty at both Frankiln and Marshall College and Kutztown University used the excavation as an experiential learning module in several courses in archaeology. Students learned proper excavation techniques by participating directly in the archaeological project. Franklin and Marshall students conducted extensive research on artifacts recovered from the dig in their "Archaeological Methods" class. One of the Franklin and Marshall students, Jill Conley, organized an exhibition of the artifacts for the on-campus Phillips Museum Curriculum Gallery. Jill worked closely with Dr. Mary Ann Levine in choosing artifacts, creating an exhibit narrative, and mounting the exhibit in the museum. Franklin and Marshall students brought the results of the project into to the local school districts through a Service Learning project. Service Learning is a form of experiential learning where students learn and develop through active participation in an organized service activity that is coordinated with the community. During the 2003-04 academic year, students enrolled in Dr. Levine's Introduction to Archaeology course had the option to bring a traveling kit of artifacts, large-scale photos of the excavation, and an archaeological tool box with dig equipment to schools in the Franklin and Marshall College neighborhood. Teachers and administrators warmly embraced the project; to date four public elementary schools, one public middle school, and two private schools have participated.

Legacy of the project The Stevens and Smith Archaeology Project created several enduring legacies. The project has resulted in a number of exciting new partnerships between local colleges and universities, school districts, historic preservation groups, and the community at large. In particular, the Historic Preservation Trust of Lancaster County is committed to building a new museum dedicated to the lives and legacies of Thaddeus Stevens and Lydia Hamilton Smith. Exhibits in the new museum will be interactive, and focus not only on the Stevens and Smith, but also on the Underground Railroad movement in Pennslvania and the many ways that archaeology can contribute to our understanding of the past. Testimonials from students involved in the Service Learning project One elementary student who participated in the archaeology demonstration said: "Thank you for coming to share all those cool things with us. I remember when you shared those bottles and bones. They were pretty cool. I also liked other artifacts like the plate. I can't believe you guys were able to put the whole plate back together again. I also liked the cistern where you found pieces of old artifacts. But I have to say, I think my favorite part was when you told us about the Underground Railroad." One of the Franklin and Marshall undergraduates commented: "By teaching young children about archaeology, we are exposing them to a subject that they might not know too much about, but which they likely hear a lot about and which impacts their lives in many ways. They might not have realized that archaeology could be done here in Lancaster and that it was significant to local history, culture, and understanding the local community. They might have seen archaeology shows on the television about Egypt or other such locations that are popular in the media. Such exposure to archaeology gives an aura of disconnectedness and inaccessibility. By teaching the kids about archaeology and its local manifestations it both demystifies the media's version of archaeology and at the same time teaches them about their local heritage."