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When the Community Is the Classroom: Archaeology and Public History at the Parker Homestead and Christ Church, Monmouth County, New Jersey

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Abstract

This article examines Monmouth University’s long-term relationship with two community partners in suburban New Jersey as a model for developing a community-based campus archaeology and public-history project anywhere. Through long-term partnerships with the Parker Homestead-1665 and Christ (Episcopal) Church, Monmouth University’s Department of History and Anthropology has been able to train generations of students in the skills of historical archaeology and public history while providing two venerable, local cultural institutions with support and consultation on a wide range of archaeological and historical topics. The resulting relationships have not only provided an exemplary model of town–gown relationships, they also have created a range of skill-building opportunities for students that have led to internships, professional development opportunities, and careers.

Resumen

En este artículo se examina la relación a largo plazo de la Universidad de Monmouth con dos socios comunitarios en los suburbios de Nueva Jersey como modelo para desarrollar un proyecto de arqueología e historia pública en un campus basado en la comunidad en cualquier lugar. A través de asociaciones a largo plazo con el sitio histórico Parker Homestead-1665 y la iglesia Christ (Episcopal) Church, el Departamento de Historia y Antropología de la Universidad de Monmouth ha podido capacitar a generaciones de estudiantes en las habilidades de arqueología histórica e historia pública al tiempo que a dos venerables instituciones culturales locales les proporciona apoyo y consultas sobre una amplia gama de temas arqueológicos e históricos. Las relaciones resultantes no solo han brindado un modelo ejemplar de relaciones entre la universidad y la comunidad, sino que también han creado una variedad de oportunidades de desarrollo de habilidades para los estudiantes que los han llevado a pasantías, oportunidades de desarrollo profesional y carreras.

Résumé

Cet article est une étude de la relation de long date entre la Monmouth University et deux communautés partenaires de la banlieue du New Jersey en tant que modèle pour le développement en tout lieu d'une archéologie universitaire au sein d'une communauté et d'un projet d'histoire publique. Dans le cadre de partenariats de longue durée avec l'organisation Parker Homestead-1665 et la Christ (Episcopal) Church, le Département d'histoire et d'anthropologie de la Monmouth University a été en mesure d'initier des générations d'étudiants aux savoirs en matière d'archéologie historique et d'histoire publique, tout en apportant à deux institutions culturelles locales et vénérables une assistance et une consultation sur un vaste éventail de sujets archéologiques et historiques. Les relations qui en ont résulté ont non seulement fourni un modèle exemplaire de relations entre communautés universitaires et urbaines, mais elles ont aussi créé une gamme d'opportunités d'acquisition de compétences pour les étudiants ayant conduit à des stages, des possibilités de formation professionnelle et des carrières.

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Acknowledgments:

This article is dedicated to the late Bob Kelly of Christ Church, whose passion for the past touched all who knew him, and to Keith Wells, champion of the Parker Homestead-1665. The late Michael Biehl, borough administrator of Little Silver, was also a strong supporter of our work at the Parker Homestead. Thanks as well to the generations of Monmouth University students who have studied the Parker Homestead and Christ Church and honed their skills as historians and archaeologists at these important local historic sites. We are very proud of you. Lastly, the authors appreciate the freedom the Monmouth University administration has allowed them to engage in such meaningful and dynamic work with their students.

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  1. Department of History and Anthropology, Monmouth University, 400 Cedar Avenue, West Long Branch, New Jersey, NJ, 07764-1898, U.S.A.

    Richard Veit & Melissa Ziobro

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  1. Richard Veit
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  2. Melissa Ziobro
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Correspondence to Melissa Ziobro.

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Veit, R., Ziobro, M. When the Community Is the Classroom: Archaeology and Public History at the Parker Homestead and Christ Church, Monmouth County, New Jersey. Hist Arch 57, 857–872 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s41636-023-00465-5

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