Take a look at our blog:

https://www.monyoughjournal.com

Presentions from PBS Wisconsin:

https://video.pbswisconsin.org/video/dugout-canoes-of-wisconsin-q4aejq

Wisconsin Pre-contact Dugout Canoes

Over the past few decades, fisherman and sport divers have discovered Native American dugout canoes in lakes across Wisconsin. Sometime these are individual canoes, while other times cluster of canoes have been located. More recently, several canoes have been found in the lakes surrounding Madison, Wisconsin. The links represent talks by Dr. Sissel Schroeder, Dept. of Anthropology, UW – Madison And Tamara Thomsen, Underwater Archaeologist, Wisconsin Historical Society discuss the canoes that have been documented. Efforts to preserve these perishable artifacts are also detailed.

2023 Dugout Canoes of Wisconsin presented by Sissel Schroeder and Tamara Thomsen, University Place, Wisconsin Public Television. https://video.pbswisconsin.org/video/dugout-canoes-of-wisconsin-q4aejq/

2023 Dugout Canoes of Wisconsin, presented by Sissel Schroeder for the National Museum of the Great Lakes. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ld484bjSjvw

https://www.pbs.org/video/dugout-canoes-of-wisconsin-q4aejq

Upcoming Event:

None scheduled right now.

Our Mission:

Promote the study of the prehistoric and historic archaeological resources of Pennsylvania and neighboring states.
Encourage scientific research and discourage exploration which is unscientific or irresponsible in intent or practice.
Promote the conservation of archaeological sites, artifacts, and information.
Encourage the establishment and maintenance of sources of archaeological information such as museums, societies, and educational programs.
Promote the dissemination of archaeological knowledge by means of publications and forums.
Foster the exchange of information between the professional and the avocational archaeologist.

The Chapter was re-chartered in 2009 so that those interested may meet to discuss and participate in local archaeology. It is named for the two major rivers, the Monongahela (“Mon”) and the Youghiogheny (“Yough”), which played roles in prehistoric and historic life in our region. The Mon/Yough Chapter of the SPA is committed to unearthing the history of western Pennsylvania. We conduct archaeological digs throughout the area and inform the public about the bygone days of our region, both prehistoric and historic. We are involved in current community events to keep the spirit of this great area alive. Our organization operates strictly on a volunteer basis; we encourage the public to join our association.

Description:

We are currently excavating the site of the Green Tree Tavern.

This was a National Road Tavern which is said to have burned down in the 1840’s. We have been working there on and off over the last few years; we have uncovered evidence of s its structures. In addtion, we have have recovered artifacts which provide fascinating insight into its history.

Thomas Searight describes this site in history,”The Old Pike” (1894):

Old Taverns and Tavern Keepers, continued—Searights to Brownsville—Able Colley’s, Johnson’s, known later as Hatfield’s—William Hatfield, his Good Name and Melancholy Death—An old and odd Indenture—The old Peter Colley House—A Tavern with a Brief Career, the Red Tavern, Wilkes Brown, Brubaker’s—Brownsville—Anecdotes of Jackson and Clay—James Workman and Doctor Stoy—Ham and Eggs—Bazil Brashear, James C. Beckley, William Reynolds, the Monongahela House, the Clark House, the Iron Bridge, Bridgeport, John Riley, the Monongahela Bridge.

“Over the hill from Searights is the old Abel Colley stand. The old tavern here, in the flourishing era of the road, did a large business, mainly in the line of entertaining wagoners. While all the taverns of the road were more or less patronized by wagoners, excepting a few which were exclusively stage houses, they had favorite stopping places, and the Abel Colley tavern was one of these. The old proprietor and his family had methods and manners which were agreeable to wagoners, and they made it a point to stop at this house in great numbers. The bills were moderate, yet the patronage was so extensive and continued so long that Abel Colley accumulated a considerable fortune at this old tavern, and when trade and travel ceased built a fine brick residence on the roadside opposite, where he retired with his family to private life, and in a few years thereafter died. Nancy, the wife of the old tavern keeper, is well remembered as a large, amiable woman, who habitually wore an expansive cap of the Queen Anne style. She long since passed to the life beyond. W. Searight Colley, a son of Abel, now occupies and owns the brick dwelling mentioned, with a fine farm adjacent. Peter Colley, of the old Hunter tavern before mentioned, was likewise a son of Abel, and he had a son, Levi, a farmer and freeholder, who died a number of years ago on the old Covert farm, near Moxley’s, now in the occupancy of one of his sons. The Abel Colley tavern is still standing, a monument, like many others, of the faded glories of the old pike. This old house was kept as early as the year 1825 by Darius Grimes, and after him by Thomas Moxley. In Moxley’s time it was called the “Green Tree,” and the writer remembers the picture of the green tree which appeared on the sign board that hung and swung for many years in front of this old tavern. Abel Colley took charge after Moxley left. According to the recollection of Ebenezer Finley, as appears by his letter in the Appendix to this volume, the Abel Colley tavern, was kept by Samuel Wolverton and by Hugh Thompson, and this must have been previous to the time of Darius Grimes. It was certainly before Moxley’s time.”

The location of the Tavern is:

7083 National Pike, Smock, PA.

Along US Route 40, between Brownsvillle and Uniontown.

Directly across the highway from the Fayette County Historical Society Museum.

Our excavation will be on hold through the winter months; we will be at the Greene County Historical Society Museum, cleaning, organizing, and cataloging the Tavern’s artifacts.

Greene County Historical Society Museum.

918 Rolling Meadows Road, Waynesburg, PA.

All are welcome!

Join the Chapter!

If you choose to participate, we ask that you join our Chapter. Dues are: Student $10, Inividual $20, Family (2 or more individuals) $30.