Archaeological excavations at the Graham House (ca. 1870) provide the cornerstone of the First Annual Claremont Archaeology Festival. The homestead of local Blacksmith George Graham and his family, this site features fieldstone foundations and thousands of artifacts relating to domestic family life and the trade of the blacksmith. Attendees are encouraged to dig in and experience Ontario History from the ground up. Registration for one hour time slots (included with the admission price) is required.

Exciting Festival activities will celebrate the lives of the Aboriginal people and European settlers who lived in Southern Ontario prior to the twentieth century. Archaeologists encounter the cultural materials and architectural remnants of these people on a regular basis. Musicians including a Woman’s Aboriginal drum group and wandering fiddle and pennywhistle players will entertain throughout the day. Demonstrations and displays including Aboriginal beadwork, hide preparation, and bone and stone tool making as well as Pioneer lifestyle, blacksmithing, and spinning and weaving will bring these diverse cultures to life. Guests can choose to participate in guided forest walks to discover plants gathered for food and medicine or explore the landscape of the once thriving mill complex on the property. All of this plus a wide variety of food and craft vendors will make this an exceptional day.

The festival will be held at the Claremont Field Centre located on Westney Road, north of Pickering, about 2km north of Hwy.7 and 15 km north of Hwy.401.

For further information see our website at http://boydfieldschool.org/festival or to register for excavating at the Graham House Site call 416-661-6600 ext. 6280.