(May 13, 2014) – More than a connection between I-97 and Annapolis, Generals Highway provides a link to Maryland’s rich history rooted in Colonial times, the American Revolutionary War, the War of 1812 and the Civil War. Here in Crownsville whispers of Maryland’s past – some more than three centuries old - can still be heard. In the mostly undisturbed farmland surrounding Belvoir, archaeologists hope to discover clues to unanswered questions such as the exact location of Rochambeau’s encampment and how Francis Scott Key may have spent his summer when visiting his grandmother.
“Maryland is committed to a balanced transportation system, and preserving the areas and structures that house our history,” said Maryland State Highway Administration Deputy Administrator Douglas Simmons. “These archaeology projects will reveal additional information that will expand knowledge of the history along General’s Highway, and help inform decisions about future development and highway planning.”
Dr. Julie Schablitsky, Chief Archaeologist at the Maryland Department of Transportation’s State Highway Administration (SHA), is joining Anne Arundel County in a partnership to better understand the historical landscape along General’s Highway. Part of this study includes excavation on the historic estate of Belvoir, where a colonial manor house still stands. Currently owned by Rockbridge Academy, the school is providing State and County archaeologists unprecedented access to the property. Today, Rockbridge Academy students joined House Speaker Michael Busch, State Senator Edward R. Reilly, Anne Arundel County Councilman Chris Trumbauer and SHA Deputy Administrator Doug Simmons in a tour of the project.
“Rockbridge Academy is committed to being good stewards of this wonderful property - and part of that stewardship includes opening it up (for the first time in its 300 year-old history) to historic research and academic pursuits that benefit the larger community,” said Nate Bailey, Rockbridge Academy Director of Advancement. “As a classical school, we place a high value on the study of history - and this property could not provide a better nexus of our values to both educate our students while benefiting the larger community. This event allows our students to see ‘history in action’ by allowing them to get their hands dirty in the fascinating work of archeology. We are pleased to have partnered with the State of Maryland and Anne Arundel County to helping to tell the story of Belvoir Scott’s Plantation.”
Generals Highway was originally built in the early 18th century as a second post road between Williamsburg, Virginia, and Philadelphia. Closely associated with George Washington and Count de Rochambeau, this roadway played a key role in the Revolutionary War, War of 1812, and Civil War, and later became the path of the Annapolis, Washington, Baltimore Railroad in the 19th century.
“Anne Arundel County has made great efforts to share the important sites and historic resources with the public, so that the community can better appreciate the rich heritage that is often in their backyards,” said Anne Arundel County Archaeologist Jane Cox. “This multi-year partnership with SHA will broaden our understanding of the County’s archaeological heritage, and enable the County to better plan for, and preserve significant historic resources, both public and private along the historic corridor.”
SHA Photo: Archaeologists Sift through debris looking for artifacts at the Belvoir Scott’s Plantation
Along this corridor, Rochambeau’s encampment of almost 5,000 soldiers stopped overnight on their way to the Battle of Yorktown, which effectively ended the American Revolutionary War. Additionally, Francis Scott Key spent the summer of 1789 at Belvoir with his grandmother Anne Arnold Ross Key.
The archaeological findings will help historians better understand the use and evolution of this transportation corridor. These investigations also will help to inform transportation planning in the future. Historic sites include Scott's plantation, the home of Francis Scott Key's grandparents; Civil War sites; slave quarters; Rochambeau's American Revolution encampment; and various colonial sites.
The team began work at Scott's Plantation earlier this month looking for Rochambeau's encampment. They will continue investigations across the site through the end of this month.
The project study is being funded in part with $300,000 in federal Transportation Alternatives Program funds and participatory funding by Anne Arundel County and the Maryland State Highway Administration.
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