Archaeological research at the Reed Farmstead site is being conducted by the Cultural Resources Section of Michael Baker Jr., Inc. for the West Virginia Department of Transportation, Division of Highways as part of the cultural resources identification, recordation, and mitigation effort being undertaken pursuant to the Section 106  process for the proposed Corridor H highway project .

What is Corridor H?

Corridor H is a proposed 100 mile (161 kilometer)-long highway right-of-way that extends through the east-central portion of West Virginia; traversing portions of Randolph, Tucker, Grant, and Hardy counties.  The undertaking crosses both the Appalachian Plateaus (Allegheny Mountain section), and Ridge and Valley physiographic provinces, extending from Elkins, West Virginia in the west to the West Virginia/Virginia state line in the east. To learn more about  Corridor H, please visit  www.wvcorridorh.com

What´s in a Name?

At the time of initial Phase I archaeological survey and subsequent Phase II testing, this site was named the Warden Bench site based on a combination of its then current landowners last name and a portion of the sites topography (not an uncommon practice amongst archaeologists).  As historic research progressed for the project, it was discovered that the Reed family, were the first occupants of this 19th century farmstead.  Based on this information, the locus has been renamed, more accurately, the Reed Farmstead site. More recent historic and archaeological information indicate that the Garrett family occupied the farmstead after the Reed family for up to 30 years.The West Virginia Division of Culture and History assigned a site number, 46HY287, to the site.  This three-part number provides information on site location.  The 46 represents the state (West Virginia) in which the site was officially recorded.  The HY represents the county, in this case Hardy County, where the site is located.  The number 287 signifies that the Reed Farmstead site is the 287th site recorded within Hardy County.

Phase I Archaeology at the Reed Farmstead Site

The Reed Farmstead site was first discovered during a Phase I archaeological survey in June 1996.  At that time, a total of 57 shovel test pits were excavated across the site area, yielding 103 early to mid nineteenth-century artifacts, including several fragments of redware, stoneware, and white earthenware pottery; container and window glass; cut nails; a three-legged griddle; and fragments of animal bone, among other things.  Three structure foundations were also observed on the surface at this time.  Phase II archaeological testing was recommended.

Phase II Archaeology at the Reed Farmstead Site

Following the initial discovery of the Reed Farmstead site, a Phase II archaeological testing  strategy was devised and undertaken during April and May 1997 to better define the period of historic occupation, as well as to determine the degree of site integrity, to locate buried cultural features, and to assess the research potential of the site.  Testing included the excavation of an additional 189 shovel test pits, which were placed at 33 ft (10 meter) intervals across an established site grid.  After the excavation of the shovel test pits, 15 test units were excavated within or around verified structural foundations or potential cultural features.  Phase II excavations tentatively confirmed the presence of at least four and possibly as many as six structures, as well as an artificially built-up earthen berm.

Phase II site map with preliminary interpretation. Please Click on the numbered icons below to see photos of the site at the beginning of the Phase III excavations, early November 1998.

As part of the Phase II investigations at the site, preliminary archival research was also conducted to learn about the people who built and occupied the farmstead.  This research included, but was not limited to, a review of deeds, tax assessment records, wills, and available historic mapping.  From this research a preliminary site history was reconstructed.  More intensive historic research will be undertaken during the course of the excavations.

Based largely on a combination of documentary evidence, as well as the recovery of some 844 early to mid 19th-century artifacts,it was originally thought that the Reed Farmstead site  was occupied ca. 1803-1850. Recent Excavations and research have demonstrated that the site continued to be occupied perhaps as late as 1883.