The Board of Supervisors gave clearance for a site review that will allow Randy Lichtenberger to at least come up with a proposal for more archaeological work at the site of the former William Preston plantation manor house and terraced gardens at Botetourt Center at Greenfield.

Four members of the Board of Supervisors have been reluctant about spending more tax dollars at the site where two years ago they moved two historic buildings to make way for an industrial shell building. Those buildings were relocated in what is designated as a historic preservation area near the entrance to Greenfield.

Supervisor Steve Clinton proposed doing additional archaeological work at the manor house site and on the terraced gardens at the site, but in April the other supervisors asked for more details about what sort of work would be done and who would pay for it.

Lichtenberger, an archaeologist with Hurt and Profitt who did “digs” at the site in 2016, was at last week’s board meeting to explain the process.

He said he needs access to the property for measurements and to determine the level of effort that will be required to do more archaeological work. Next would be a “shovel test” survey to take coring samples to determine the layers on the site and what might be needed to dig further.

He will come back to the board with a proposal and cost for the sampling that would be done at the site.

“The Friends of Greenfield (Preston Plantation) or the county could take it or leave it,” Lichtenberger told the board.

Supervisor Billy Martin asked where funding would come from. Friends of Greenfield Preston Plantation (FGPP) could pursue different avenues and grants, or the county could assist, Lichtenberger said.

Clinton said that would be up to the supervisors to decide.

“This is a rare opportunity,” Clinton said. “The history of the site is fascinating and dates to before Preston.”
Lichtenberger told the supervisors that the terraced gardens that are visible from Ballast Point Brewery were not part of the archaeological work done two years ago because of the time allowed for the work.

“Going back and looking at the terrace wouldn’t affect the area now,” he said.

When asked by Supervisor Mac Scothorn about what plants might be identified in the gardens, Lichtenberger said there’s now a newer, growing field of “garden archaeology.”

He said they can use pollen and other data to identify what was there, identify pathways, stairways and structures, whether it was a formal garden, a vegetable garden, when it was first used and when it was no longer used.

Lichtenberger told the supervisors Hurt and Profitt is finishing conservation work on artifacts that were recovered during the 2016 dig. He called them “world class artifacts,” and this is “a fantastic opportunity for historic tourism.”