Most teens have little interest in unearthing remnants from the past. But sixteen Upland Hills middle school students got down in the dirt last week to learn more about local history.
The students were part of the archaeology phase of the Howarth Schoolhouse Relocation Project — which is listed on the State Historical Registry.
The project is one of only 27 in the nation to receive grants through the Save Our History Grant Program sponsored by the History Channel.
‘This site was first a foot trail, then occupied by a farm, and finally by the schoolhouse,? said Darrell Zehel, archaeological field supervisor.
Zehel added that the site, located on Silverbell, just east of M-24, was also used as a church for more than 50 years in the late nineteenth century.
‘Our earlier test pits have yielded a rich source of artifacts,? he said. ‘We hope to find more material to help us understand how the site was used over its long history.?
The one-room schoolhouse is being studied and restored prior to its eventual relocation.
Through the generosity of Larry Mullins of Environmental Wood Solutions in Lake Orion, trenches were dug to uncover small but precious objects in the soil. In most spots, Mullins dug to a depth of about 24 inches, which is considered to be ‘sterile soil? or previously undisturbed by man.
Once the digging was completed, the students and volunteers screened the soil in search of artifacts.
Items found included: an abundance of square nails, a piece of wood siding dating back to the 1920s, an unfired lead bullet, an 1876 Mercury Head dime, an intact slate pencil, a rubber wheel from a toy truck, a large (quarter-size) copper cent piece, many pieces of ceramics and a clay pipe stem, probably once used by a farmer.
Orion Historical Society member Leslie Pielack said some of the items found will require further analysis to determine their use and year of origin.
Pielack, who is overseeing the project, said the supervised dig allows students and the community to work together toward a common goal. In this case — understanding and preserving history.
‘This project was tailor-made for kids,? Pielack said. ‘What better way to learn about our local history than to actually touch the past??
At least one of the students, 12-year-old Megan Starr, got a little more than she expected from the project.
‘I discovered that it was a lot harder than I thought it was going to be,? said Megan. ‘Finding the actual artifacts in the ground was not so easy. Although I did find some old nails, glass and pieces of different colored pottery.?
Another young participant, Melina Vervane, 14, is credited with discovering the slate pencil. She said it made the search personally worthwhile.
‘It was pretty difficult sifting through the dirt because if was muddy and really heavy,? said Melina. ‘It was pretty cool when I found the pencil, because I didn’t think I would find anything significant.?
While Melina liked digging around at the local site, she envisions one day doing something on a grander scale.
‘I think it would be fun to do an archeological dig at some far-off, exotic place.?
The project wasn’t limited to digging in the dirt. The students also learned something about early construction — and restoration.
‘We’ve been consulting with a restoration carpenter who will work directly with the students to repair the bell tower,? says Pielack. ‘They’ll learn about traditional building techniques as they help restore the building.?
As the final part of the project, the students will conduct oral history interviews with local residents who attended the school before it closed in 1954. By recording their memories, they will help preserve a precious, enduring recorded history, Pielack said.
‘This is one of the most challenging parts of the project,? teacher Ted Strunck added. ‘They have to do background research, plan, conduct and record the interviews, and then edit the footage to create a documentary of the project.?
The resulting DVD will become part of the permanent history collection at the Orion Township Library.
Strunck’s students are also contributing to an Orion history book for first- and second-grade students that is the brainchild of Deb Motley of the Orion Township Library. The book, which is being written by her teen advisory group, will be available later this school year and distributed to local elementary schools.
‘There is almost no end to the ways we can add to our rich local heritage from this project,? said Pielack, adding that archeological digs can be ‘addicting.?
Pielack credited The History Channel, the Save Our History philanthropic initiative, Orion Township Library, Orion Historical Society, Upland Hills School and particularly ONTV of Lake Orion for their financial support and other contributions made to the project.
ONTV’s Cathy Kimmel, assisted by high school student Katherine Johnson on the video camera, were on hand to record the project for posterity.
Kimmel got right down in the trenches with the students and other volunteers, even discovering an artifact during the search, Pielack added.
‘Archeological digs can be addicting,? said Pielack. ‘There’s something special about sifting through the dirt and finding and touching a part of history. It’s a bit like treasure hunting.?
For more details on the project, call Pielack at 693-6718 or Sara Van Portfliet at 693-4154.