ROBINSON, Ill. (WTWO/WAWV)— As part of the annual meeting for the Illinois Association of Advancement Archaeology, they are inviting the public on a historical exploration on May 3 and 4.
Experts and historians will be going through and presenting groundbreaking research on early travel routes from Vincennes through Lawrence County’s Purgatory Swamp, through the historic land grant office and trading post in Palestine, Crawford County, and on through the York Road to the Five Mile House in Charleston. The CWAC Archaeology Museum and the Crawford County Historical Museum will also be open from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. on May 2 through May 4. Times and locations for all the public events are listed below:
- Times and Locations: IAAA MEMBERSHIP EVENTS: (PUBLIC ALSO WELCOME)
- Friday, May 2, 2025
- 12:00 p.m. – PUBLIC WELCOME – Afternoon speakers
- Presentations on lost and forgotten towns such as Vernon and Boliver, as well as historic landmarks including the Heath, Fox, and Dolson Inns. Research from early traces, trails, and roads.
- Archaeological findings from traditional excavation methods, including the uncovering of a pioneer cabin site and evidence of the region’s earliest Native inhabitants.
- Greg Parrott – Early Interaction of Native Americans and Pioneers
- Carolyn Stephens / Barb Ross / CWAC Members – Early Trails / Roads / Inns / Towns
- 2-2:30 p.m. – Break with snacks
- 2:30 – 4:00 p.m. – Afternoon speakers continue
- Lynn Stephens- Ellis Site, Findings of Excavations near Fort Lamotte, Palestine
- Mary DeLaGarza and Lucas Howser – Drone research intro and uses for archaeology
- 4:00 – 6:00 pm ON YOUR OWN
- Archeological Museum and History Museum in Robinson open for viewing.
- Fort Lamotte in Palestine is open for touring.
- 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. – PUBLIC WELCOME – EVENING AT THE BARN,
- 1253 N 2040th St., Flat Rock, IL (Off Rte 33, South of Heathsville)
- Bonfire, wiener roast, and performance by French-Indian reenactor Tony Gerard
For more information on the event or how to get involved, you can visit the Central Wabash Archaeology Chapter’s Facebook page or call 618-562-9709.
