Northcentral
Chapter 8, Society for Pennsylvania Archaeology
Northcentral Chapter 8 of the Society for Pennsylvania Archaeology is active with nearly three dozen members. Its mission is to discover and preserve the region's American Indian and Pioneer heritage.
Its monthly meetings are scheduled at 7 p.m. the second Tuesday of the month from October through April. Meetings are held at Lycoming County Historical Society, 858 W. Fourth St., Williamsport. Membership is open to all.
The chapter provides archaeological excavation training sessions for new members and teaches them how to identify artifacts. For the past two seasons, it has participated in the public dig at the Muncy Heritage Park and Nature Trail, sponsored by the Muncy Historical Society (www.MuncyHistoricalSociety.org). Take a look at the photo gallery from 2005 to present by clicking here >>>
The chapter’s first meeting was held Aug. 12, 1955, at the James V. Brown Library in Williamsport. John Witthoft, Pennsylvania state anthropologist and one of the foremost scientists in the field of Indian history of Eastern United States, was the guest speaker and his topic was "The Identification of Artifacts." Interested persons were urged to bring stone or pottery material to the meeting that they wished to identify.
“The state society hopes that with the aid of the local chapter, sufficient research can be accomplished so that a more complete picture of early Stone Age peoples may be written. Members will be instructed in the proper methods of excavating and cataloging Indian sites so that results will have true research value. The first meeting will also feature committee appointments and general plans for activities for adult members as well as students.” (Williamsport Sun, Aug. 6, 1955)
And so began more than a half century of archaeological inquiry that yielded ground-breaking cultural material discoveries.
Soon, the organization gained the leadership of James Bressler who directed decades of archeological exploration, ongoing almost without interruption since 1976. Summers in the field and winters in the laboratory enabled Bressler and the chapter to define the Loyalsock Historic Complex -- a chronology of 7,000 years of cultural development, including the discovery of two Shenks Ferry fortified villages scarcely a kilometer apart, at the confluence of the Loyalsock Creek and the West Branch of the Susquehanna River.
Significant prehistoric sites identified by NCC8 and recorded with the Pennsylvania Historical Museum Commission include Bull Run, Canfield Island, the Ault Site and the Snyder Site. The Canfield Island site, 36LY37, was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1982. Artifacts from these excavations are curated by the Lycoming County Historical Society where they are available for research purposes. Final reports detailing the artifact assemblages and their relevance to cultural identity and progression also are available through the Historical Society.
Riverfront Park’s Heritage Trail a Tribute to Area Archaeologist
A stroll along the James P. Bressler Heritage Trail on Canfield Island is invigorating and educational. It's also tranquil, this quiet spot along the Susquehanna River's West Branch.
The trail is part of Loyalsock Township's Riverfront Park and is dedicated to James P. Bressler. A scholar and educator beloved in his community, Bressler carved a niche for himself in the region's prehistory and history books with his archaeological investigations.
Archaeologist James Bressler visits Riverfront Heritage Park named in his honor. Located on Canfield Island, the park contains a significant prehistoric Indian village in Loyalsock Township. Bressler and members of Northcentral Chapter 8 of the Society for Pennsylvania Archaeology excavated prehistoric sites in the area for many decades and Bressler is responsible for having the island listed with the National Register of Historic Places |
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"That is, in my estimation, one of the best-kept secrets in the county," Bressler said about the trail in a previous interview. "This is a unique attempt to integrate a number of different things. First of all, local history is really not being taught in our schools because there are too many competing things to teach. I understand that. But this is a unique way to combine a pleasant walk, a history lesson, and nature study. It's just a pleasure to walk around there."
Excavating Native American sites for the past four decades, Bressler led several digs on and near Canfield Island, a small spit of land turned into a man-made island by 19th-century lumber mill owners. Publishing his findings in a series of books, Bressler and volunteers from Northcentral Chapter No. 8, Society for Pennsylvania Archaeology, have added immensely to the area's knowledge of Native American culture as far back as 5000 B.P. (Before Present).
With this tribute to Bressler, the township acknowledged his expertise and the significance of his archaeological research.
"Seldom ever, in my life, has a dream come about as this one has. This whole thing is an answer to a dream," he said
The park has more to offer than just scenery. When designed, park plans included a tree identification area, a butterfly habitat, and eagle nesting towers and owl boxes. In addition to the James Bressler Interpretive Trail, Riverfront Park features a pavilion, a boat dock, several fishing access points, a large multipurpose field and a bike path access area.
"It's very important to everybody. In the fist place, the Susquehanna River, in my estimation, is one of the greatest assets Pennsylvania has. Fresh water flowing by your doorstep. But if you have no access to it, you're limited in how much you can enjoy it," he said. "This park is part of a much larger, long-range plan."
In his honor, Loyalsock Township developed a one-half-mile walking trail. Interpretive signs stretch along the trail, describing prehistoric life along the river, as well as events from modern times.
A "Welcome" sign acknowledges trail underwriters and orients the visitor.
The signs use photos, maps, illustrations and text to help visitors learn about three archaeological sites, The West Branch of the Susquehanna River (Otzinachson), the Sheshequin Trail, the Canfield and Colton Sawmill, the death of Capt. James Brady, the Revolutionary War “Cannon Hole.”
"It's all a part of what we call heritage. This is what everybody inherits. But few people know about it. What good is an excavation, for instance, if we don't issue a report and say, 'Here is what we found. Here is what it means.' Unless you say that, what have you done? Nothing but vandalism. Destroyed an irreplaceable resource," Bressler said, adding, "So if you undertake doing a dig, you also undertake the responsibility of doing it in detail and making it part of the permanent record. That's not a sermon; that's a doggoned fact. That's why I'm doing it."
It is primarily because of Bressler's research that Canfield Island was named to National Register. His research and excavations were, Bressler said, the Alpha; the trail is the Omega.
"By itself (archaeological research), it is incomplete. It has no means of expressing itself. It's manifested in the trail. There, you're touching the past. And if you want to know a great deal more, you come up here (Lycoming County Historical Society) and flesh out your interest. It's all part of a larger effort."
The James P. Bressler Heritage Trail is open to the public. Directions to the park: From I-180/US-220, take exit 23B toward Montoursville/Warrensville Road. Merge onto East Third Street/Old Montoursville Road. Turn right at Canfield Lane (0.4 miles) then turn right at Greevey Road. The park entrance is 0.3 miles on the left.
