Come volunteer with the State Archeology Office (SAO), a division of History Nebraska, on a weekend community archeological excavation at Fort Atkinson State Historical Park (http://outdoornebraska.gov/fortatkinson/). This excavation is being conducted with assistance from the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission in conjunction with Nebraska Archeology Month and the final Living History Day of 2022 at Fort Atkinson. Staff from the SAO will be attempting to locate evidence of a former structure located outside the west entrance of the fort. According to archival records, this building is believed to have been a Band or School House.

Registered participants will be provided excavation tools, but should provide their own water, hat, gloves, insect repellant, sunscreen, etc. A one-hour break for lunch will be provided each day. Participants may bring a lunch, or there are options to choose from in Fort Calhoun or Blair, which is a 15-minute drive north of the park. Additionally, participants must purchase a daily park permit ($6 for vehicles registered in Nebraska; $12 for out of state vehicles) or be in possession of a Nebraska Game and Parks annual permit.

Parking and restroom facilities are available near the excavation site, and a large tent canopy will be available for shade.

The minimum age for participants is 16 years. Participants under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a registered adult. Due to the limited capacity of each day’s activities, only two people may register at the same time for the event.

Register Here.

Fee: $20 per person for one day (select either Saturday or Sunday)
$30 per person for both days (select both Saturday and Sunday)

Maximum # of participants each day: 20