Digging up the Past

February 9, 2016

This is more than the adventures of Aunt Mabel when she went to New York City by herself. Come and delve into our own local history – much further back – at Digging up the Past: An Introduction to Ontario Archaeology, with Tom Mohr of the Ontario Archaeological Society.

This is one time when living in the past might be good for you. Did you know that the changing water levels of lakeshores offer a great place to find artifacts at low water? Or that elevated terraces behind beaches were often used as campsites for First Nations people? Note that there are well-defined regulations regarding DIY (Do It Yourself) archaeology.

On Feb. 25, Mohr will give a presentation about Ontario archaeology in general, with an overview of the archaeological resources of the South Hastings area, both before and since European contact. He will bring a slideshow, a display of First Nations artifacts, a few tools of the trade, and he will be eager to answer your questions.

Tom Mohr is an avocational archaeologist (a licensed amateur) and currently serves as president of the Peterborough chapter of the Ontario Archaeological Society. He trained at the University of Toronto and has participated in many excavations in southern Ontario. He is a local historian specializing in the Pickering area, president of the Victoria County Historical Society, and he helps to administer Lindsay’s Olde Gaol Museum, housing a diverse collection of First Nations history.

This is the fourth in the Winter Speaker Series for the Hastings Stewardship Council. The final presentation on March 10 will be Fish and Fisheries in the Bay of Quinte.

Dig into our past with Tom Mohr on Thursday, Feb. 25 from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Huntington Veterans Community Hall, 11379 Highway 62, in Ivanhoe. An entrance fee of $5 per person (or a donation) will help cover costs. Children are free. Refreshments and good company are cheerfully provided.

The Hastings Stewardship Council promotes a healthy and sustainable environment that contributes to the viability of agricultural and natural resources in Hastings County. For more information, contact Matt Caruana at 613-391-9034 or info@hastingsstewardship.ca.