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Historic Vienna, Inc. Preserving and Promoting Vienna, VA's history, and operating the Freeman Store & Museum

Historic Vienna, Inc.

Preserving & Promoting Vienna's History - Operating the Freeman Store & Museum

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  • About HVI
    • Town of Vienna History
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    • Community Links
  • Events
    • Event Calendar
    • Afternoon Teas
  • Freeman Store & Museum
    • Freeman Store Gift Shop
    • Used Book Cellar
    • Little Library Museum
  • Preservation & Education
    • Archaeological Dig on the Freeman Store Grounds
    • Historic Vienna Gardens
    • Heritage Preservation Award Program
    • How To Research Old Vienna Properties
    • How To Register a Property on the Historic Registry
    • American Legion Post 180
  • Museum Exhibits
  • Talks & Tours
  • Vienna Stories
    • American Liberty Stories
    • Oral Histories – People
    • Oral Histories – Events
    • Vienna’s reaction to the Covid Pandemic

Archaeological Dig on the Freeman Store Grounds

In keeping with Historic Vienna’s mission to preserve and protect Vienna’s history, an archaeological dig took place on the Freeman Store grounds in March 2023. A non-invasive ground penetrating radar survey of the property was completed in 2021 and several potential areas of interest were identified including four sites that were singled out for excavation. Two possible privies, wells or privies, a side yard where there could have been a barn and the immediate backyard where there may be either a tree or trash dump. “The gold in this property is probably in the privies and the well. Apparently, if you read about this type of stuff, [the past owners] would just at some point start throwing a lot of trash down as they changed over or moved on, and there’s often some really revealing stuff. We think [the dig] will materially increase our historical understanding, and we’ll end up with more stories to tell about the Freeman Store and early Vienna history.” Historic Vienna President, Anne Stuntz, told the Vienna Town Council.

Archaeology Dig on Freeman Store grounds

Work on the dig was done by The Ottery Group, an environmental consultant group located in Maryland, who performed the excavation, and bagged and documented artifacts. Historic Vienna will be responsible for their long-term storage, possibly with Fairfax County’s archaeology team.

Historic Vienna and the Freeman Store & Museum would like to thank everyone who participated and joined us in watching this fascinating dig. The public was invited to observe the dig, see excavations in action, and meet the archaeologists.  Please click on the short video taken during the dig.

Archaeology Dig on Freeman Store grounds March 2023
Archaeology Dig on Freeman Store grounds March 2023
Archaeology Dig on Freeman Store grounds March 2023
Archaeology Dig on Freeman Store grounds March 2023
Archaeology Dig on Freeman Store grounds March 2023
Archaeology Dig on Freeman Store grounds March 2023

Historic Vienna, Inc. and
The Freeman Store & Museum

131 Church Street NE
Vienna, VA 22180
703-938-5187
UvfgbevpIvraanIn@tznvy.pbz

Mailing address
P.O. Box 53 Vienna VA 22183

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Wednesday thru Sunday
12:00 noon – 4:00 pm
March – December
Closed most Federal Holidays, Easter, July 4th, Thanksgiving, Christmas

January & February by appointment only

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