Digging for Acadia

 

Welcome

Acadia’s Digging for Acadia organization is working towards uncovering the archaeological evidence of First College Hall with the contributions of Acadia professors, active students, and working research assistants.

Acadia University Hall is the most iconic and recognizable parts of Acadia’s campus. While it is the most iconic parts of Acadia’s campus it also has a strong history dating back to 1887 when First College Hall burned down and the exact location of the archaeological remains is unknown.

Digging for Acadia is working towards solving the mystery of where these remains lie today. Students, professors, and research assistants have contributed to this archaeological project by using GPR scanners, aerial imaging, and archival research. But this work does not stop here. Digging for Acadia is working towards eventually excavating and shovel testing the remains. Digging for Acadia is determined to discover the remains of First College Hall while providing hands on experience for students to develop their archaeological field work skills.

Why This Matters

University Hall is currently sitting on top of the remains of Second College Hall which was built on top in 1925. However, First College Hall was built elsewhere, and the locations of the buildings remains is still unknown.

Locating these remains would help strengthen the archival record at Acadia, provide a learning experience for students to build their archaeological experience, engage the Wolfville community in Acadia’s history, and rediscover unknown architectural history.

How We’ll Find It

  1. Archival research:
    - Campus photographs from 1887 and earlier
    - Use of The Athenaeum
  2. Aerial Imaging
    - Orthoimage
  3. Ground-Penetrating Radar (GPR)
    - Focusing on South of University Hall
    - Focusing on West of Seminary House
  4. Excavation, Shovel Testing, Coring

Project Timeline

Fall 2025: GPR scanning and data collection started with CLAS 1803: Introduction to Archaeology

Winter 2025-2026: This is the time where professors and research assistants will analyze GPR results from fall 2025 and work towards how the organization can move forward in summer 2026

Summer 2026: The summer is where assigned students, professors, and research assistants will shovel test and perform small excavations in a minimal group

Fall 2026: The excavation in the summer will be expanded to the students in the Special Topics course offered in the fall at Acadia

October 2026: In October there will be and International Archaeology Month event where this excavation will be presented publicly to learn more about Digging for Acadia and how Acadia is working towards discovering the remains of First College Hall through GPR scanning, archival research, and student fieldwork

Project Team

Co-Directors:
Chelsea Gardner – Associate Professor, History and Classics (Acadia University)
Wendy Robicheau – Archivist (Acadia University)
Mo Snyder – Associate Professor, Earth and Environmental Science (Acadia University)

Funding

  1. Acadia University Research Fund
  2. Evans Teaching and Learning Scholar Fund
  3. Department of Earth and Environmental Science
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