RECONSTRUCTING THE WATERFRONT: AN HISTORICAL AND ARCHAEOLOGICAL RECONSTRUCTION OF THE NINETENTH CENTURY PORT OF WASHINGTON, NC

Abstract

The purpose of this project is to gather historical and archaeological data to illuminate potential relationships between economic and social trends in the construction of wharf structures and enhance our understanding of the multitude of factors that drive the growth and decline of port communities. Ports and harbors have long been understudied aspects of maritime archaeology. Yet, they are gateways into the historical and commercial past of regional, as well as international cultures. Therefore, this study is a unique opportunity to analyze waterfront installations within their economic context. To do this, the coastal town of Washington, NC, situated along the Tar-Pamlico River, will be used as a case study. Historical and archaeological information will be gathered from several sources and will be assessed for correlation.