Four archeologists combed the 15-acre property surrounding Reverend Peter Dougherty's home in Old Mission last week, examining the site of the 10-bedroom home built in 1842 for evidence that would necessitate an archeological dig.
Besides finding nails, pots, pottery, pieces of iron and glass, preliminary reports did not turn up anything requiring that next step. Nevertheless, the exercise was a crucial one for members of the Peter Dougherty Society, who are determined to honor the property's historical significance. The society commissioned the archeological study thanks in part to a $20,000 donation by the Oleson Foundation.
"We wanted to make sure if there were artifacts of any magnitude that would be of historical interest and lead to an archeological dig,” said Bill Cole, treasurer of the organization. "They were also able to
do a much more detailed schematic of the outbuildings — the ice house and barn area — and explore around and determine the perimeters.”
Andy Weiz led the archeological team from Commonwealth Cultural Resources Group, Inc. out of Jackson, Mich. Sifting meticulously through dirt samples taken at 15-meter intervals on a grid of the property, an exercise called a shovel test, the team also examined larger samples where ever artifacts turned up. This excavation phase checked out a one-meter by one-meter square in ten-centimeter depth intervals.
"Historical sites like this, especially with the house still standing, you expect a lot of debris but this is a clean site,” said Weiz, a historical archeologist. "This site is very early for a historical site in the Midwest.”
Weiz also kept a sharp eye out for Native American artifacts, which so far have not turned up. The crew, which worked onsite from Monday through Friday, also took samples of the survey areas back to their lab in Jackson for further analysis.
"I would be very surprised to find any traditional Native American stuff, such as arrowheads and pottery,” he said. "I'm expecting to find some trade goods.”
The founder of the first settlement in the region in 1839 and an educator, advocate for and friend of Native Americans, Dougherty's home was his base for a decade. The township purchased the property in July 2006 using funds raised in a year by passionate volunteers who did not want the home to be razed. Zoning allowing 21 new (homes???) ones on the property also motivated the grass-roots effort.
Determined to preserve the Presbyterian missionary's legacy, citizens worked with the Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation to form the Dougherty Historic Home Site. The non-profit Peter Dougherty Society was born after the purchase to move forward with the preservation, stabilization and restoration process. The final result, which Cole estimates as being five to seven years away, is a historical, cultural and educational center open to the public.
In addition to the archeological dig last week, the society is having a structural analysis of the building completed. The result will determine what needs to be done and the costs.
"Then we can do fund raising to pay for the work,” Cole said.
A Gaelic Gathering hosted by the Peter Dougherty Society will be held on Saturday, August 11, from 5 to 9 p.m. at the Dougherty Historic Home Site, 18529 Mission Road in Old Mission. Tickets are $30 each and are available at the Peninsula Market, 14111 Center Road or call 223-9500. For more information on the event or the society, see their web site at www.peterdoughertysociety.org or call 223-7500 or 947-7493.