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Activism Leads to Excavation: The Power of Place and the Power of the People at the President’s House in Philadelphia

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Abstract

For seven-eighths of George Washington’s presidency a large Georgian townhouse in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, served as both the President’s executive offices and residence. In the early years of this century the former location of this house became the focus of intense public interest. The compelling story of the President’s House and its occupants, most particularly, nine enslaved Africans who Washington brought with him to Philadelphia, provoked intense public dialogue and protest by a diverse coalition of citizens. Public activism led to an archeological excavation where the power of an engaged citizenry transformed an ‘orchestrated’ public archaeology project into a demonstration of public ownership of the past.

Résumé

Durant une partie de la présidence de George Washington, une vaste demeure géorgienne à Philadelphie, en Pennsylvanie a servi de bureau et de résidence au Président. Au tout début de ce siècle, l’ancien site de cette bâtisse a suscité un intérêt intense du public. L’histoire fascinante de la Demeure du Président et de ses occupants, en particulier, neuf esclaves africains que Washington amena avec lui à Philadelphie, a provoqué un débat public intense et des protestations par une coalition diversifiée de citoyens. L’activisme public a conduit à des fouilles archéologiques où la puissance d’une citoyenneté engagée a transformé un projet d’archéologie publique ‘orchestré’ en une manifestation d’appropriation du passé par le public.

Resumen

Durante siete octavos de la presidencia de George Washington, una gran casona georgiana en Filadelfia, Pensilvania, sirvió tanto como oficinas ejecutivas y como residencia del Presidente. En los primeros años del presente siglo, la antigua ubicación de esta casa se convirtió en el foco de atención de un interés público intenso. La llamativa historia de la Casa del Presidente y de sus ocupantes, muy en particular, nueve africanos esclavizados que Washington se trajo con él a Filadelfia, provocó un intenso debate público y protesta por una variada coalición de ciudadanos. El activismo público llevó a una excavación arqueológica en la que el poder de una ciudadanía comprometida transformó un proyecto de arqueología pública “orquestado” en una demostración de propiedad pública del pasado.

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  1. Independence National Historical Park, 143 South Third Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19106, USA

    Jed Levin

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  1. Jed Levin
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Correspondence to Jed Levin.

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Levin, J. Activism Leads to Excavation: The Power of Place and the Power of the People at the President’s House in Philadelphia. Arch 7, 596–618 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11759-011-9186-4

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