1933

· David I Bushnell did a prehistoric survey for the Smithsonian Institution

· Focus was on prehistoric archeology, but did note the possible location of Spotswood’s mansion site, as well as the location of two chimneys associated with the Germanna community

1965

· Test excavations were conducted by the Upper Rappahannock Chapter of the Archaeological Society of Virginia

· Focused on the “Gordon House”

1969

· Ned Heite (Virginia Historic Landmarks Commission) opened two areas of the Enchanted Castle

· Found large amounts of brick rubble in association with 18th century artifacts

May, 1977

· Team from the Virginia Research Center for Archaeology (VRCA) did test excavations around the mansion site

· Found enough information to successfully nominate the site to the National Register of Historic Places

October, 1982

· Lyle Browning (Virginia Department of Highways and Transportation) reported on three sites in the Germanna area

· Military earthworks from the Civil War period, grist mill remains, and chimney remains

April, 1983

· Browning inspected suspected Indian burial mound in the Germanna area

· Found evidence it was most likely a mound of discarded iron

1984

· John Reynolds (land owner) began to prepare for the development of the area

· VRCA enacted more survey work (in area owned by Reynolds)

· Identified seven sites

1985

· Virginia Division of Historic Landmarks to Historic Gordonsville, Inc. (HGI) began Phase I archaeological survey in October, 1986-May, 1986

· 31 sites and features were discovered and recorded

· Directed by Douglas Sanford and Scott Parker

1985-1995

·   Mary Washington College conducted a series of excavations directed by Doug Sanford

·   The footprint of the mansion house was revealed, along with several dependencies and landscape features

·    These investigations also uncovered a sub-basement tunnel