Garfield Farm Museum is looking for volunteers to help with archaeological research in July and August. The hours are 8a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday
through Sunday during the weeks of July 13 through July 17, July 20 through July 24,  as well as the second session Aug. 10 through Aug. 14 and Aug. 17 through Aug. 21.

Under the direction of James R. Yingst, director and chief archaeologist of Chicago-based Heartland Archaeology Research Program, and a Research Associate in Archaeology at Garfield Farm Museum, work is focused on understanding the lives of the 1830s/1840s settling farmers in Northern Illinois.

Registration is currently open. Individuals enrolling for a minimum of 40 hours receive a complete orientation, structured training involving rotation through the activities of shovel excavation, screening of excavated soil for artifact recovery, and washing of recovered artifacts. Participants who successfully complete 40 or more hours will receive certificates documenting hours of training and supervised experience in historical archaeology.

Volunteers who cannot commit to 40 hours are also welcome and will receive informal orientations and participate in tasks needed during their hours of participation.

The GFM Archaeology Program accepts adult volunteers and volunteers of ages 14 to 17 with written parental permission. Volunteers under 14 years old must be accompanied and supervised by a responsible adult at all times. Organizations do not recommend participants under 8 years of age.

The Culbertson log house/Garfield log tavern stood in the fork of the Chicago/St. Charles Road that branched northwest to Sycamore and southwest to Oregon, Illinois. Culbertson originally claimed 440 acres of land that he improved with a log house, a dug well, and 30 acres under cultivation by mid-1841 when he sold the claim to Timothy Garfield for $650. The Garfields immediately saw a lucrative opportunity in establishing an inn to capture the business of the numerous farmers hauling wheat past their house to Chicago’s port.

To register as a participant, to visit the excavation site, or to financially contribute to the effort, contact the museum at 630 584-8485, e-mail info@garfieldfarm.org or write to Box 403 LaFox, IL 60147.

Volunteer Registration for 2016 Archaeology Program at Garfield Farm Museum

• What: Volunteers needed for Archaeological Investigation
• When: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday, July 13-17, July 20-24, Aug. 10-14 and/or Aug. 17-21
• Where: Garfield Farm Museum, Campton Hills (for GPS only) 3N016 Garfield Road Campton Hills, IL 60175)
• Contact: 630 584-8485 or info@garfieldfarm.org