Earlier this year, the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest, in partnership with University of Montana and Montana State University, participated in an archeological survey in Homestake Pass. Micah Chang and Ayme Swartz, representing the Homestake Archeological Field School, will present its findings at a Brown Bag Lunch on Wednesday, August 24, at the Butte-Silver Bow Archives.

The presentation emerges from the first joint field school between University of Montana and Montana State University to immerse students in federal archeology. Students conducted field surveys and carried out archival research on an African American mining and homesteading community east of Butte. Professional and practicing archeologists and historians worked alongside students to survey, uncover, and interpret this community that left behind scant evidence of their presence and history. The story of Montana’s African American community and their lived experiences has seldom been examined. The intention of this field school was twofold: to teach students federal archeology and to elevate African American history in Montana.

The presentation will begin at noon and run about an hour at the Archives, 17 W. Quartz Street.  Guests may bring a sack lunch and the Archives will provide coffee and water.

For more information, contact the Archives at 782-3280.