THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, August 9, 1994 TAG: 9408090404
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B9 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS
DATELINE: RICHMOND LENGTH: Medium: 77 lines
Millions of tools, pottery fragments and other artifacts recovered in archaeological digs around Virginia are gathering dust on the shelves of a state warehouse.
Except for those who see selected items in museum exhibits or make appointments to view the artifacts, few people know they exist.
``It's a shame,'' said Lysbeth Acuff, chief curator at the Virginia Department of Historic Resources. ``The archaeological record of Virginia is fascinating. . . . These artifacts ought to be out where they can be seen.''
The 5 million objects span centuries. They include a Native American spear point dating to 10,000 B.C. and armor that the British gave the colonists in the 17th century.
Modern items include original signs from Washington Dulles International Airport and an obelisk from a bridge being dismantled on U.S. 1 in Hanover County.
``It all tells a story of what life was like,'' Acuff said.
The artifacts are stored in row upon row of cardboard boxes in the downtown Richmond warehouse with neither air conditioning nor humidity control.
Acuff said the department hopes to acquire space to properly display and care for the artifacts.
Acuff said Virginia should note what other states have done. The Maryland Legislature recently appropriated $14 million for programs and facilities. The North Carolina Legislature has provided money for an archaeological museum, she said.
Virginia's Historical Resources Department is seeking state and private money to construct a museum, said State Archaeologist Catherine Slusser.
She'd like to renovate an existing building, which she said would cost a fraction of the $12 million to $14 million other states have spent on similar projects.
Acuff said the situation had been worse.
When she began her job seven years ago, the artifacts were jammed in the basement of a small state building.
But the 10,000-square-foot storage space used now soon may not be enough, Acuff said.
Archaeological digs completed for housing and utility projects continually unearth more artifacts, she said.
``The thing that upsets me is that Virginia's collections are so special,'' Acuff said.
``Nobody else has all this colonial stuff.''
Items have been displayed at the Virginia Historical Society, Jamestown and the National Museum of American History in Washington, Slusser said.
``It's a very important collection,'' said Charles F. Bryan Jr., director of the Virginia Historical Society. ``It's been unfortunate that there is not a place where much of it could be exhibited.'' ILLUSTRATION: ASSOCIATED PRESS Photo
Lysbeth Acuff, chief curator at the Virginia Department of Historic
Resources, shows off 18th century wine bottles at the warehouse in
Richmond. She said the department hopes to acquire space to properly
display and care for the state's artifacts.
WHAT'S IN STORAGE
The 5 million objects span centuries. They include:
A Native American spear point dating to 10,000 B.C.
Armor that the British gave the colonists in the 17th century.
Original signs from Washington Dulles International Airport.
An obelisk from a bridge being dismantled on U.S. 1 in Hanover
County.
KEYWORDS: VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF HISTORIC RESOURCE
ARCHEAOLOGICAL ARTIFACTS
by CNB