Bowieville Mansion (18PR580)

This site was originally recorded by Archeological Testing & Consulting (ATC) during Phase I investigations in 1999. Although the artifact recovery poorly reflects the Bowie family's occupation of the site, several below ground features were identified during the survey, including a brick foundation underlying a wooden shed sitting next to the mansion, a possible brick kiln area, a trash pit or sheet midden, and a dry-laid brick walkway. The site is a plantation with a standing structure, visible ruins of terraced garden and a historic road, a masonry structure and artifact concentration, possibly slave quarters.

Artifacts noted in the field included Creamware, Pearlware, Flow Blue, blue transfer-printed Whiteware, cut nails, manganeese tinted bottle glass, and faunal remains.

Site 18PR580 represents the archaeological component of Bowieville Mansion, a property that is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. The Phase II testing by ATC in November of 2004 only examined the eastern portion of the site slated for disturbance as part of the current project. Testing included excavation of 60 shovel test pits and five 3 x 3 ft. units. The investigations recovered a large quantity (6,000 items) of architectural and domestic artifacts and identified several 20th c. features including a brick patio and terrace garden. Testing revealed considerable ground disturbance from demolition, excavation, grading, and landscaping activities in the eastern half of the site. The Trust agreed that no further archaeological investigations are warranted for the eastern portion of 18PR580. However, since Phase II did not address the site as a whole, the National Register eligibility of 18PR580 remains unresolved. Completion of Phase II efforts would be warranted if any of the western portions of the site are proposed for disturbance.

(Edited from archeological site survey form, Maryland Historical Trust)