Phase II and Phase III Archaeological Database and Inventory
18FR1101 Visitation Academy
Diagnostic Artifact Data
Features
Summary
Site 18FR1101, also known as the Visitation Academy Site, is located along East Second Street in Frederick City, Maryland. It is located within the Frederick Historic District (F-3-39), and is also recorded as a historic property, the Visitation Academy, FHD-745. Much of the surveyed section of the project area historically has been utilized for gardens and passive recreation for the Visitation Academy. Terrain within the general Academy site area is relatively level to gently sloping. The soils mapped for the Visitation Academy Site primarily are Urban land, 3-15% slopes (UrC) which denotes anthropogenic landscapes and hardscapes. However, because a relatively large section of the property has not been developed, areas of natural soils may be present. Natural soils mapped to the south are classified as Lindside Silt Loam (0-3% slopes; LsA) and to the northwest as Duffield-Hagerstown-Urban land complex (3-8% slopes; DwB).
In 1745, Daniel Dulaney laid out the town of Frederick on his remaining acreage and began selling lots. The town was well situated. Lying along the banks of Carroll Creek just west of the Monocacy River, Frederick Town was located in the midst of an already prosperous agricultural community. Major east-west and north-south transportation routes passed through the area. The town quickly became a marketing center for the region. When Frederick County was formed in 1748, Frederick Town was designated the county seat.
The American Revolution triggered an increase in population and industry in the county. The need for arms and ammunition put local iron furnaces into full production. A barracks was built in the southern end of town to hold Hessian (German) and British prisoners; it became known as the Hessian Barracks. At the end of the war, many of these Hessians settled permanently in the area, no doubt feeling at home in an area heavily populated by persons of German descent. The grounds of the 18FR1101 area apparently were later used to train a militia to help put down the Whiskey Rebellion in Pennsylvania in 1794.
Father John McElroy, a Baltimore merchant-turned-pastor in the Society of Jesus, was brought to Frederick from Georgetown in 1822, when he was appointed to succeed Father Maleve as pastor of the Catholic community. In that position, he began negotiations with the Sisters of Charity to establish a girls’ school in Frederick, and in February 1824 five Sisters of Charity arrived to begin the school, known as the St. John’s Benevolent Female Free School. The school was established in a “...wretched log cabin built before the Revolution...” with two rooms and an unfinished attic that location likely was in Lot 290 or the northwestern quarter of Lot 289. Father McElroy also was instrumental in acquiring the property and the funds to replace the original log structure housing the Sisters of Charity with the brick structure in 1826 that still forms part of the core of the current Visitation Academy. By 1846, the Sisters of Charity who had run the girl’s school, were replaced by the Visitation Sisters of Georgetown. Father McElroy again was instrumental in arranging the expansion and incorporation of the Visitation Academy. Several episodes of land acquisition followed, with adjacent lots acquired in 1847, 1850, 1851, and finally, in 1864. Additional construction of Academy buildings was undertaken in 1848, 1851, 1852, and in 1860. The initial building that had replaced the log structure and was occupied by the Sisters of Charity was expanded in 1848, likely within the limits of the NW ¼ of Lot 289, and the south wing of the school was added along Chapel Alley. A chapel and the east wing of the Academy were completed in 1851 and 1852, but despite plans for an expanded east wing, that never was constructed.
The conflict of the Civil War did not spare Frederick. By the end of 1861, 15,000 Union troops were stationed in Frederick, and the city soon became a medical center, treating the wounded from nearby battles. In the fall of 1862, there were as many wounded soldiers in Frederick as there were citizens, and the Philadelphia Enquirer noted that the city was “one vast hospital.” The old Hessian Barracks was turned into a hospital, as were the Roman Catholic Novitiate and the Visitation Academy. These were designated General Hospital #1 (Hessian Barracks) and General Hospital #5 (the Novitiate and the Academy). Other locations included most of the churches and schools, the Val Birely Tannery, hotels, and private homes and businesses.
Accounts of the conditions at the Visitation Academy during the war stated that despite the use of the Academy as a hospital, the school continued to operate. The approximately 60 girls who remained as boarders at the school during that period, along with the 47 Visitation Sisters, all stayed and studied in the Convent, while the classrooms and other rooms were used for the hospital. The hospital operations lasted from September 1862 through January 1863. Cleaning and repairs were not completed until September 1863.
The 1892 Sanborn map was similar to the 1887 map, but it showed the function of the small townhouse from Lot 287, incorporated into the east end of the Academy structures, as an infirmary. The 1897 Sanborn map provided additional detail, showing the presence of several sheds, but most importantly, also showing the large garden in the eastern section of the property (ie. Area 1) as well as the presence of the formal garden with circular paths just to the west of the garden (in Area 2). Although the 1897 map was the first that showed the garden, it is likely that the garden in Area 1 had been present since shortly after the lots in that area were acquired in 1864. Accounts note that the Sisters maintained a large vegetable garden and orchard, and that they also held cattle. During the mid-twentieth century, the area appears to have been used for recreation for the students at the Academy. The paved basketball court may have been built as early as the 1960s, and was refurbished in 2012.
Phase I archaeological investigations were completed in 2019 by R. Christopher Goodwin & Associates, Inc. on behalf of O2J Visitation, LLC and Harris Smariga & Associates, Inc. The Phase I investigations consisted of a combination of archival background research and archaeological field survey, as recommended by the City of Frederick Planning Department. The Phase I archaeological survey was carried out on March 18-20, 2019 in the rear lot of the Visitation Academy property. The shovel testing that was completed on March 18-20, 2019 at the Visitation Academy property focused primarily on the open, unpaved portion of the courtyard at the Academy. During the testing, a total of 1,189 historic period, domestic artifacts were recovered. Most of these materials appeared to date from the late eighteenth century and the first half of the nineteenth century. Very little material from the latter part of the nineteenth century or from the twentieth century was recovered. Most of the recovered material was domestic in nature; some faunal material displaying butchering marks also was recovered.
The horizontal distribution of the recovered artifacts from the Phase I testing showed that most material was located in the eastern and central portions of the courtyard, which had been acquired by the Academy circa 1864, and had been occupied previously; Lots 286 and 287 both had townhouses visible on the 1858 Bond map. The 1897 Sanborn map had indicated that much of that area was devoted to garden after its acquisition by the Academy, and based on accounts of the cloistered order, it is assumed that vegetables and orchard fruits were grown. The stratigraphic sequence that was noted in the shovel tests in both Areas 1 and 2 indicated that there was consistent mixing of cultural material within the upper two strata, indicative of soil cultivation. Some lower soil strata indicated the presence of a still-intact buried A-horizon or occupation surface.
The origin of most of the recovered materials in Areas 1 and 2 was likely to have been the townhouse occupations in Lots 286 and 287, since the material predated the lots’ acquisition by the Visitation Academy circa 1864. It is likely that the lots were cleared and then later cultivated by the Sisters to establish the garden and orchard.
Because there was never any intensive development or disturbance in Areas 1 and 2, portions of the original living surface from Lots 286 and 287 appeared to remain intact. Any associated subsurface features, such as foundations or privies also may have remained intact. In addition to Areas 1 and 2, the southwestern corner of the Academy property contained deep deposits with a concentration of late eighteenth century artifacts, suggesting the potential for significant early historic features associated with the occupation of Lot 290, which transferred to the Sisters of Charity in 1835.
Based on the results of the Phase I testing, the Visitation Academy property was recorded as an archaeological site with the Maryland Historic Trust site inventory, and received the site number 18FR1101 (Visitation Academy Site). The site boundary was drawn to include the entire 3-acre property, using the Academy walls as the site limits. The site was characterized primarily as a religious/educational site dating from 1824 through the twentieth century, but it also contains domestic components that pre-date the acquisition of the property by the Academy; these date from the late eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.
The Phase I testing at the Visitation Academy Site did not produce extensive deposits related to the Visitation Sisters and the use of the property as a monastery and boarding school, nor did it produce evidence related to its use as a hospital during the Civil War. The Phase I survey, however, did provide evidence of deposits of late eighteenth and early nineteenth century domestic material related to the earlier domestic occupation of the Academy lots. Testing indicated the absence of extensive modern disturbance and suggested the likely presence of intact buried A-horizons and sub-surface features related to the pre-Academy occupation of the property. Based on these factors, it was concluded that portions of Site 18FR1101 could be eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). It was recommended that additional testing be carried out in both Areas 1 and 2 prior to the planned development of townhouses in those areas. The intent of the additional testing was to examine more thoroughly those portions of the site that would be impacted by the planned construction of Buildings 1 and 2 (Areas 1 and 2) in order to identify any intact features or deposits associated with the late eighteenth and early nineteenth century occupation of Lots 285 – 289. If such features were identified, then an assessment of their significance and integrity would be completed, and if warranted, avoidance or data recovery would be undertaken.
Phase II level testing was carried out in Areas 1 and 2 at Visitation Academy in May 2019, and built on the results of the Phase I testing that had been completed in March 2019. During the Phase II investigations six trenches were mechanically excavated within Area 1 of Site 18FR1101. The trenches were intended to permit systematic stripping of Area 1 soils in order to examine the stratigraphy and depositional integrity in the vicinity of soil anomalies and artifact concentrations observed during the Phase I investigation, and to identify and assess any associated cultural features.
Trench placement relied on data from the Phase I shovel testing and from the archival research. Trenches 1-5 were positioned in areas that had evidenced high artifact concentrations or that exhibited deep stratigraphy during the Phase I shovel testing. Trench 6 was positioned in the middle of the paved basketball court in order to ensure coverage of this untested area. The eastern and southeastern portions of Area 1 had produced relatively low artifact counts, and/or contained shallow or disturbed soils; these areas were not tested further during the Phase II investigation.
Ten historic cultural features were identified during the mechanized excavations. The features included four post holes (Feature 03-01, 03-02, 03-03, and 03-04), a pit with articulated pig remains (Feature 03-05), two shallow linear rubble filled trenches (Features 04-02 and 04-03), a small rubble filled pit (Feature 05-01), a planting hole (Feature 05-02), and a shallow square stain (Feature 06-01) that may have been either a posthole or planting hole. One additional feature was exposed and bisected; that feature ultimately was determined to be non-cultural (Feature 04-01).
Phase II investigation of Area 1 of the Visitation Academy Site 18FR1101 resulted in the identification of 107 historic period artifacts and 51 faunal specimens from four trenches and five archaeological features. No prehistoric artifacts were recovered. Historic artifacts included ceramic (n = 80), glass (n = 14), metal (n = 12), and stone (n = 1). Faunal (bone, shell, and tooth) remains included 51 specimens. Functional analysis indicated that the artifact deposits were associated with domestic activity on the property. Artifacts recovered during the current investigation have a temporal range from the late-eighteenth century through the mid-twentieth century. The majority of artifacts were representative of the late-eighteenth through the mid-nineteenth century, suggesting an association with the pre-Visitation Academy occupation of the property. Artifacts with manufacturing ranges that post-dated the 1860s, specifically with beginning manufacturing dates in the early-twentieth century, were located primarily in the upper disturbed strata (Stratum II) of Trenches 1 and 3. Area 1 exhibited a stratigraphy reflective of the extensive demolition that took place after 1864, when the Visitation Academy acquired Lots 286 and 285 along Second Street. A buried topsoil stratum (Ab) was noted in Trenches 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6 under layers of disturbed soil deposits.
This stratum appeared relatively intact in most of the trenches although the presence of brick fragments and other demolition debris may indicate minimal to moderate mixing. Trench 5, located in the northwestern corner of Area 1, was the only trench that did not exhibit a clear Ab horizon. Artifacts recovered from the Ab horizon generally were representative of the late-eighteenth through the mid-nineteenth century. This suggests that shortly after the Visitation Academy acquired Lots 286 and 285 along Second Street and demolished the standing structure, the landscape was heavily modified and was capped by layers of soil containing demolition debris. The fact that artifacts from the Ab were consistent with the artifacts recovered from the upper disturbed demolition debris strata suggests that the overlying soil layers likely originated from onsite.
No significant temporal differences were observed between strata aside from the addition of a few early-twentieth century artifacts (e.g. machine molded glass) in the strata overlying the Ab horizon. The increase in early-twentieth century artifacts in the upper strata of Area 1 contrasted with the lack of such artifacts within Area 2, suggesting that disturbances had occurred more recently within Area 1 than in Area 2. More recent alterations to the landscape, however, were clearly evidenced by the improved parking areas and driveways, as well as the basketball court. Despite the significant land modification, remnants of features were encountered at the base of the Ab horizon.
During the Phase II investigations six trenches were mechanically excavated within Area 2 of Site 18FR1101. The trenches were intended to permit systematic stripping of Area 2 soils in order to examine the stratigraphy and depositional integrity in the vicinity of soil anomalies and artifact concentrations observed during the Phase I investigation, and to identify and assess any associated cultural features.
Trench placement relied on data obtained from the Phase I shovel testing and on the archival research. Two trenches (Trench 1 and 2) were placed in an area thought to have been the location of an outbuilding depicted on the 1858 Bond map. Trench 1 specifically was positioned at ST N1020/E1030, where deposits thought to be related to the outbuilding were noted during the Phase I. Trench 3 was positioned over ST N1040/E1010 which had exhibited a high concentration of artifacts and rubble, along with unusually deep stratigraphy; an 1841 deed suggested that this was the vicinity of a well or pump. Trenches 4 and 5 were positioned along the southern end of Area 2 to ensure coverage of all areas. Trench 6 was positioned across one of the graveled walkway to examine the structure and temporal development of the central courtyard’s walkway.
The Phase II investigation of Area 2 of the Visitation Academy Site resulted in the identification of 234 historic period artifacts and 19 faunal specimens from six trenches and three archaeological features. No prehistoric artifacts were recovered. Historic artifacts included ceramic (n =189), metal (n = 26), glass (n = 16), worked bone (n = 2), and stone (n = 1). Faunal (bone, shell, andtooth) remains included 19 specimens. Functional analysis indicated that the artifact deposits were associated with domestic activity on the property.
Artifacts recovered from the current investigation have a temporal range from the late-eighteenth century through the early twentieth century. The majority of artifacts were representative of the late-eighteenth through the mid-nineteenth century. Very few artifacts had manufacturing ranges that post-dated the 1860s, suggesting that the majority of the recovered material was associated with pre-Visitation Academy occupation of the property. Despite the presence of quantities of artifacts and cultural material dating from the late eighteenth through the mid-nineteenth centuries, very little of the recovered material was from intact depositional contexts. Area 2 exhibited a stratigraphy reflective of the extensive demolition and rebuilding that took place between circa 1850 and 1865, when the Visitation Academy acquired the lots along Second Street.
A relatively intact buried topsoil stratum (Ab) was noted in Trenches 1, 2, 3, and 6; all of which were located in the northern half of Area 2. This suggests that following demolition of the original townhouses and outbuildings on the lots acquired by the Visitation Academy, and possibly during construction of the extant Academy buildings, the area was capped by layers of soil containing demolition debris. The fact that artifacts from the Ab were consistent with the artifacts recovered from the upper disturbed demolition debris strata, with some artifacts displaying crossmends between the Ab and demolition feature fill, suggests that the overlying soil layers likely originated from onsite. No temporal differences were observed between strata. It is likely that the artifacts were associated with the earlier, pre-Visitation Academy occupation of the lots, but the process of demolition, soil movement including possible cutting and filling in preparation for the later construction of the Academy buildings, has destroyed any intact depositional context for the cultural material.
Site 18FR1101, the Visitation Academy Site, includes the former Academy structures, concrete and asphalt-paved areas, open lawn areas, and landscaped garden areas. In addition, the property includes a small cemetery in the southeastern corner; the cemetery is protected by deed easement. Despite the clear association of the archaeological deposits in Area 1 and Area 2 with the pre-Visitation Academy occupation of these lots, the level of disturbance to these deposits and features has been extensive. In most cases, artifacts no longer retain their depositional context, and there was no evidence of intact building foundations. Post holes, likely associated with an early crop or middle fence at the southern end of Lot 286, were identified. In addition, a small pit feature containing pig bone and ceramics was present along the old fence line. No significant, intact features associated with the pre-Visitation occupation of the lots, or associated with the Visitation occupation by the Sisters were identified. Because of this, Area 1 and 2 were found to not retain sufficient integrity to satisfy Criterion d of the NRHP evaluation criteria.
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