Students Archeological Examination on the Sheepscot River

American History and AP United States classes studied the archeological remains of early 1600’s English settlements and Fort Anne along the picturesque Sheepscot River in October.

The WMHS history students examined the major transformational processes in Maine colonial history such as the development of farming and fishing communities on the Sheepscot River through the lens of geography, the emergence of Alna and Sheepscot Village towns, trading systems and Wabanaki engagement.

The students learned about the mysterious and unheralded leader of colonial America named Madam Elizabeth Gent. A person of immense respect and authority, Gent led the early English settlement on the beautiful Sheepscot Village and Alna with families from England and Boston, Massachusetts in 1662-1677. Historians mentioned the ground was adapted to agriculture, and the river full of Atlantic Salmon. The marshes and meadows produced large quantities of hay for the cattle and the outer lands were heavily forested.

The students identified the remains of Fort Anne and the Garrison House by the geographical and topographical characteristics of the terrain.