ROCHESTER, NY—Guests to Family Archaeology Weekend experience scientific discovery in real time through hands-on, guided excavation of an 18th century farmhouse foundation at the Rochester Museum and Science Center (RMSC) Cumming Nature Center (CNC). The event takes place from 9am to 4:30pm on September 17 and 18.
“We are excited to engage families in the mystery and wonder of digging in the ground to uncover the past,” said Nathan Hayes, director, CNC. “The students have mostly uncovered buttons, cast iron and shards of pottery, but no one knows what we will find.”
The family-oriented event is designed to build cultural awareness and actively engage communities through participatory scientific exploration. The dig site is located in what was formerly known as Frost Town, a pioneer logging settlement whose roots can be traced back to 1790. Regular guided hikes will take visitors through nearby Gulick Gorge Cemetery, a pioneer cemetery where grave markers date from the early 1800s. Nature Center guides will share local history and interpret items previously uncovered by students working the homestead dig sites.
Event admittance is $25 for families and $10 per person. Children must have adult supervision. To register, visit www.rmsc.org.
Families will be shuttled from the CNC visitor center to the dig site at the Hall Homestead on Frost Town Road. Shuttles will run between the CNC and the archaeology site all day. Families are encouraged to pack a picnic lunch and enjoy the more than five miles of CNC nature trails, including the well-known cathedral red pine stand and the 35-acre beaver pond.
CNC is a dynamic, 900-acre environmental education facility that celebrates the unique landscape and culture of the Finger Lakes region through experiential learning opportunities and thoughtful exhibits. The preserve includes six miles of trails and countless opportunities to connect with the outdoors. CNC is located at 6472 Gulick Road, Naples, NY 14512.
For high-resolution images and additional information, contact Amanda Bayer, Marketing Communications Manager, RMSC at 585.697.1962 or amanda_bayer@rmsc.org or visit the Press / News section of our website at www.rmsc.org/press-news.
Rochester Museum & Science Center (RMSC) includes the Science Museum, Strasenburgh Planetarium and Cumming Nature Center. Offering experiences at the Museum with more than 200 interactive exhibits, Planetarium with a 65-foot dome and Nature Center on 900 acres, the RMSC stimulates community interest in exploration. In addition, the more than 1.2 million RMSC collection items tell the story of Rochester’s past including its rich history of innovation and invention. RMSC receives major funding from Monroe County, where it is one of the top three most visited attractions serving children and families. For more information about RMSC, visit www.rmsc.org. Connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Instagram.
