Today the Trustees of the Germanna Foundation announced the appointment of Eric Larsen, Ph.D., as Archaeologist of the Foundation.
Dr. Larsen brings more than 25 years of archaeological experience to his new position, having worked with the National Park Service at Harpers Ferry National Historical Park, and for the University of Maryland on sites in Annapolis, Maryland. He directed fieldwork at the Freedmen’s and Contraband Cemetery for the City of Alexandria, Virginia, and most recently assisted with excavations at George Washington’s Boyhood Home at Ferry Farm (near Fredericksburg, Virginia) for the George Washington Foundation. He has taught introductory Archaeology classes and trained numerous students through a variety of Field Schools primarily in the Mid-Atlantic States.
“Working with the Germanna Foundation will be very exciting,” Eric said. “There is such a great variety of history to be explored here. I look forward to aiding the Foundation in their stewardship of these properties and developing an archaeology program that will add to our understanding of these important sites.”
Since the Foundation’s acquisition of the 60-plus acre Fort Germanna and Enchanted Castle archaeological site in Orange County late last year, the Foundation has been planning to re-start the archaeological exploration of this site, and has placed the property under a historic preservation easement. Dr. William Kelso, world-renowned Chief Archaeologist for historic Jamestown, Virginia, and a member of the Germanna Foundation’s Council of Advisors, has written of this site, “I have always thought the Fort Germanna/ Enchanted Castle site ranks among the most significant historical archaeological sites certainly in Virginia and arguably in the nation.”
“The Department of Historic Resources commends the Germanna Foundation for its decision to hire an experienced in-house archaeologist,” said Julie Langan, Director of the Virginia Department of Historic Resources in Richmond. “This move speaks to the Foundation’s commitment to the long-term preservation and interpretation of this significant historic site. Having Dr. Larsen, a highly qualified professional in his field, involved in the day-to-day management of the site will strengthen the partnership between our two organizations as we work together to protect, in perpetuity, this important historic resource.”
Dr. Larsen’s immediate tasks will include leading site stabilization efforts at the Fort Germanna site late this fall, along with developing the Foundation’s long-term archaeological research plan, and collecting data and research from previous efforts over the years, before continuing with the site’s excavation and interpretation.
Travel to Germany with the Germanna Foundation