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JAMESTOWN – The Fenton Historical Center celebrates Mrs. Fenton’s 198th birthday Wednesday, with archeological sign dedication and never before seen artifacts.
“We’ve been working on this project for ten years,” explained Thomas Greer, the director of the archeology program. “We have found just about anything you can imagine. From ceramics, to glassware, kids’ toys, animal bones, horse related objects. You name it, we found it here.”
During the ceremony, three interpretive archeological signs were unveiled. These signs not only display pictures of the archeological artifacts discovered in that area, they are also a tribute to everyone who has participated in this decade-long project.
“We have wonderful artifacts that have been brought in, they’re in the basement cases,” said longtime volunteer and President of the Board of Trustees, Janet Wahlberg. These artifacts come from the servants’ house and the carriage house that have been lost to time, until recently.
This ceremony was a celebration of not only discovering bits and pieces of the past, but also about appreciating the rich history that lives on within the walls of the Fenton Mansion, and its visitors.
“Governor Fenton is my great, great, great, grandfather and it’s fun to have been a part of the Fenton family and a part of the museum since we started it in 1963,” Councilman William Reynolds continued. “I was a little boy coming in here many times with my grandmother and my father.”
“I think if we don’t know where we came from, we won’t know where we’re going,” Wahlberg explained.
In regards to the turn out, it was anything but disappointing.
“Considering the weather, the turnout was better than expected,” said Greer. “I’m so excited that everyone is interested in the family. I’m so excited to see the house being taken care of and people enjoying the house,” exclaimed a Fenton Reenactor, portraying Mrs. Elizabeth Scudder Fenton.
The Fenton Historical Center invites those interested to visit the museum to see these new artifacts and acknowledge the hard work of the archeological team with the new signs.
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