The James Gordon Family owned the Spotswood site, who built a large, two story frame home near the site of the Spotswood home in the late 1790's. The Gordon Family cemetery is located on these grounds. Historic Gordonsville, Inc. the bought the land for preservation and archaeological studies. They later donated the land to Mary Washington College, and the Center for Historic Preservation is now using the project for educational purposes.

The Germanna Survey: 1985-1986

The excavations furthered and revised the projected architectural plan. New interior walls have been discovered, while the projected ones have not. The survey concluded that the main house included at least three floors of different elevations. A brick-paved floor and a slate floor were found, which give the measures and construction techniques of the structure. Building materials, along with features of the house were incorporated in the excavation.

Historic Gordonsville Inc. (62 acres) sponsored a reconnaissance survey and sampling program of excavation.

Archaeological Survey: Systematic subsurface sampling and controlled surface collection

 

Survey's Goals:

The HGI strove to sample the western two-thirds of the complex to determine the full east-west extent of the main house, understanding each area's function. The sampling was also done to find the site's archaeological record. The main house area was a large area of study, in which more is needed about the plan of the site.

(1) locating sites on a replicable grid

(2) assessing sites to date, size, and cultural affliation

(3) producing quantifiable and statistically accurate results concerning site size, density, and distribution

 

Research Conclusions:

A cultural interpretation of the historical processes that occurred in the central Piedmont region, frames intended arcaeological and documentary studies. In researching the Enchanted Castle site and related eighteenth-century sites, the evolving colonial frontier is shown. Remnants founds concluded a variety of ethnic groups were living in the area, including American Indians, Luthern Germans, and African-American slaves.

 

 

 

 

 

Source: Quarterly Bulletin. "Archeological Society of Virginia." Volume 44, Number 3, September 1989.