Apalachicola Digs Local History: The Orman House Public Excavation Project

Thomas Orman was born in Salina, New York in 1799. When he was 16 years old he moved to New Orleans, where he worked in the sugar industry. He later traveled to St. Andrews where he increased his fortune in the salt industry. Later on he purchased a plantation and slaves in Webville, near Marianna, where he married his wife Sarah. In 1830, their only child, William, was born. Thomas Orman was one of the original promoters of the town of Webville. The town was competing with Marianna for the title of Jackson County Seat. Marianna won this title and a short time later Webville collapsed. Then, learning of the opportunities in Apalachicola, Thomas Orman moved his family, slaves and belongings down the Apalachicola River to the booming port town in 1834.

The Orman house as it appears today.

According to local lore, Orman selected the site for his Apalachicola home while he was participating in a search party for invading Creek Indians in 1836. This property was once part of the Forbes and Company Purchase, held by the Apalachicola Land Company until 1835. In 1837 Thomas commissioned the building of his Apalachicola plantation home. Lumber for the house was cut in New York and shipped to Apalachicola. The house was constructed using wooden pegs and rope hawsers. The two-story antebellum house was oriented to receive late-afternoon sun in the winter and it overlooks the Apalachicola River. The home has Federal-style portions with Greek Revival-style detailing.  The property included an ice house, the “Charity House (which is said to have been a convent, a Civil War hospital and later a school), slave quarters, a kitchen, two wells and a mule barn. The property also included a still-standing magnolia tree which was pruned to resemble a design drawn by renowned botanist, Alvin Chapman.

Thomas Orman helped the town of Apalachicola become one of t he Gulf Coasts most important cotton exporting port in the mid-19^th century. By the 1830s Apalachicola was the third busiest port on the Gulf of Mexico. Orman was a cotton merchant and businessman from the 1840s to the 1870s. Bales of cotton were floated on riverboats down the Apalachicola River and were loaded onto ocean-going vessels for transport to cotton mills in New England and Europe. Orman purchased large shipments of cotton as they came down the river and sold them and shipped them to the mills to make a fortune. He used the antebellum mansion for both business and social gatherings. Visitors to the Orman house included local resident and inventor of the ice machine, Dr. John Gorrie, Botanist Alvin Chapman and Dr. Asa Grey, Captain Robert E. Lee and other prominent business and political leaders.

Historic photograph of the tenant structure.

The Orman property contained fields of rice and sugarcane and the manpower necessary to maintain those crops. Thomas Orman appeared in the 1850 Franklin County slave schedule as the master of 20 listed slaves and in the 1860 slave schedule he was listed as the master of 26 slaves. The property contained four buildings to house the slaves, and later these buildings were occasionally leased out to crewmen docked on Water Street. One small dwelling that has been described as possibly being the last of these slave dwellings. However, its style and construction characteristics date the structure to the late 19^th or early 20^th century. This building may have functioned as a servants quarters for paid help. A 1931 map shows the structure with the same configuration, but with a large addition on the northeast side. This addition has since been torn down and all that remains of the addition is a brick stove chimney. The structure is currently being investigated by FPAN archaeologists and Florida Park Service volunteers to gather more information as to the past uses of this structure and to see if there may have been a slave quarters at this location prior to construction of the current structure. The information collected during this archaeological investigation will be used to help the Park Service to recreate and accurately interpret the life of those that may have lived in this structure at one time.

During the Civil War, both Confederate and Union forces often appeared in Apalachicola, and both at some time during the war occupied the Orman house. Local legend states that Sarah Orman, a proud Confederate, would simulate roof repairs whenever Union troops arrived in town. She would place a large nail keg on the Captain’s walk of the house to alert southern sympathizers upriver and Confederate soldiers coming home on furlough that the Union was in Apalachicola. During the war the Orman fortune was dealt a blow and the family was forced to sell the bricks of the “Charity House” and all that currently remains is the foundation of this building. 

However, some of these bricks were not sold, and later on, when the house was owned by Douglas and Anna Gaidry (whom operated it as a bed and breakfast, called Magnolia Hall in the 1990s), the bricks that were left were used to line walkways around some gardens on the property. The Gaidry’s purchased the property from Iona Andrews, great grandniece of Thomas Orman, in 1994. Ms. Andrews was the last distant relative of Thomas Orman to live in the plantation house. The Gaidry’s restoration of the Orman house won a Florida Trust for Historic Preservation award in 1997. Anna and Douglas Gaidry sold the property to the State of Florida in 1999 and it is now opened to the public as a Florida State Park. 

Buttons excavated from tenant structure.

If you are interested in volunteering at the Orman House Public Excavation Project please contact Barbara Hines, North Central Outreach Coordinator, at bhines@uwf.edu.

Wakulla Public Archaeology Day

WCHS members and visitors at the FPAN table.

     This past Saturday the Wakulla County Historical Society and FPAN co-hosted the first ever Wakulla Public Archaeology Day. There were over 45 visitors to the museum for this event. The public was invited to bring any artifacts that they have found so that they could be identified. Archaeologists from FPAN, The Panhandle Archaeological Society at Tallahassee and Florida State University were on hand to assist with the identification of these artifacts and to discuss Florida's unique past. I think it is safe to say that we all learned something new this past Saturday. 

    It is important that both archaeologists and private collectors have a chance to collectively discuss Florida archaeology. It is an important step in making certain that our state's cultural resources are being properly recorded and protected. There are laws that protect our cultural heritage, and it is important that the public is educated about what these laws are and why they exist. All of the citizens of this state share in that responsibility. Public Archaeology Days allow for open discussion and education for all parties involved. Plus, we all enjoy seeing the interesting things that people are finding in their own backyards! It was also a wonderful opportunity to check out the museum exhibits and learn about all the great local organizations  that are available to the public that are interested in historic and archaeological preservation and protection. Both the Wakulla County Historical Society and the Panhandle Archaeological Society at Tallahassee are open to anybody interested in learning more about our history and cultural resources.

Assortment of historic artifacts brought in for identification.

     Visitor's to the Public Archaeology Day brought with them some very interesting artifacts that they had collected in various parts of Wakulla and Leon counties. We saw everything from rare antiques from the mid-1800s to Paleoindian projectile points that were made by humans in Florida over 12,000 years ago. We even had a few antique books show up. It is amazing what type of cultural resources people  unexpectedly find in their own yards or even their attics while going about their daily activities. This makes it even more important for the citizens of Florida and visitors to the state to be educated on how to protect these resources  and have the opportunity to actively participate  in the  stewardship of these resources. However, it is even more important that people understand the value of these resources and the reasons for their protection. Public Archaeology Days are a great venue for educating the public about archaeology.  It is also a great chance for people to have an opportunity to see things that they may never otherwise have the chance to see.  

Casts of faunal material and artifacts found in Florida.

      In addition to the public bringing in their artifacts, some of the archaeologists that participated in the Wakulla Public Archaeology Day brought some casts of interesting artifacts that they have found in the area.  One of the more popular items on display was the cast of the leg bones of a mammoth, like that found in Wakulla Springs. Also on display was the cast of a skull of a saber cat! Yes, saber cats and mammoths both lived in Florida at one time (over 12,000  years ago)! 

    Archaeology is something that interests many people and can put us in touch with our shared human past. It is quite a feeling to hold something in your hand that was made by a person over 11,000 or even 100 years ago. It is also a wonderful feeling to visit an archaeological site and realize that it has stood the test of time, thanks in part to stewardship of both the general public and professionals alike. If you have questions or concerns about an archaeological site, don't hesitate to contact your local FPAN office, that is what we are here for!

The Tallest and Oldest Mound in Florida: Letchworth-Love Mound

It has been awhile, but we have been pretty busy here at the North Central FPAN office. Between visiting classrooms to teach children about archaeology and planning several other events that are coming up soon, it has been quite hectic! Despite our hectic schedule, there was still some time to visit another local archaeological gem-Letchworth-Love Mounds State Park! This park is located between Tallahassee and Monticello on U.S.90, approximately 6 miles west of Monticello. You will see the brown signs, but the road you are looking for is Sunray Road off of U.S.90. 

Large platform mound.

Many locals and visitors alike have heard of the mounds at Lake Jackson, and most would agree that they are quite impressive. But did you know that there are other mounds in the area and that some are even taller than those at Lake Jackson? In fact, the platform mound at Letchworth-Love Mounds State Park is so tall that it is the tallest Native American mound in the state! Well, now you know! The main mound at Letchworth-Love Mounds State Park is 46 feet tall! Now for us Floridians that is quite the elevation change, especially when you consider that this mound (like all mounds) was constructed by hauling baskets of dirt (weighing somewhere between 30 to 230 pounds) one at a time and dumping them in this location. Think of the planning and organizing it would have taken to create the many mounds located in our great state. Portions of the ramp, leading to the top of the platform mound, are still visible running down the side of the large mound. A village site associated with the mound complex is also located on the south side of the large ceremonial platform mound.

This mound complex actually predates the mound complex located at Lake Jackson. The Letchworth-Love mounds were constructed between 1100 to 1800 years ago and are thought to be associated with the culture known as Weeden Island (200 to 800 A.D.). The mounds inside the park boundaries only make up part of the complex, some of the associated mounds are actually located outside the park boundaries. This complex was huge! This complex consists of between 20 to 28 smaller mounds, including a small burial mound that was originally recorded by archaeologists in 1972. This location may have been chosen because of its close proximity to Lake Miccosukee, which would have provided ample fresh water and other aquatic resources.

Picnic pavilion at park.

This park is amazing and located right in our backyard! I find it amazing that so many of these mounds have survived in such a well populated area. It just goes to show that many members of our community and our state see these archaeological sites as a valuable resource for tourism, green space and as a source of knowledge about our  past! A visit to Letchworth-Love State Park is a great way to spend a day. There are picnic facilities and nature trails at both Letchworth-Love and Lack Jackson Mounds State Parks. Fall is coming and the weather is getting slightly cooler, so pack a picnic and visit a local heritage site. Who knows what you will discover! Until next time, go explore!

A Hidden Jem: The Crooked River Lighthouse

I am at the top!

Some of you may have already guessed where I visited this past Saturday, but for those of you who have not yet figured it out, I visited the Crooked River Lighthouse in Carrabelle. Not only did I visit the museum but I actually had the opportunity to climb the lighthouse. It was a beautiful view from the top, approximately 100 feet up! I had to climb 138 steps to get there. I could see both Dog Island and St. George Island from the top of the Lighthouse. It was amazing and there was a wonderful breeze up there!

The Crooked River Lighthouse

The Crooked River Lighthouse was constructed in 1895, but the architect and builder are unknown. It consists of a cast iron skeletal tower with a cement foundation. Originally the light apparatus was a Fresnel lens. It was used in the Crooked River Lighthouse from 1895 to 1976. The original Fresnel lens is displayed in the USCG District 8 headquarters in New Orleans, but there is the possibility that it will be returned to the lighthouse to be put on display in the museum, which is located in the replica  Keeper's House. The modern light apparatus is a 190mm rotating beacon, which was used from 1977 to 1995.  In 1995 the Lighhouse was decommisioned and in 1999 local citizens formed the Carrabelle Lighthouse Association to rescue this historic landmark. In 2007 it was restored and re-lighted and opened to the public.

The current light apparatus, a 190mm rotating beacon.

The Crooked River Lighhouse guided mariners through the pass between Dog Island and St. George Island from 1895 to 1995. The Dog Island lighthouses were destroyed by hurricanes, so the plans were put in place to construct the Crooked River Lighthouse on the mainland. The site originally included two identical keepers houses, constructed on each side of the lighthouse. In 1933 electricity came to the Lighthouse and it was automated in  1952. This ended the need for keepers. In 1964 the Coast Guard sold both Keeper's Houses, and the buyers moved them from the site. One was burned to the ground, the other is privately owned. A replica of the Keeper's houses was built in 2009, and this is now the location of the Crooked River Lighthouse Museum and Gift Shop. The house also serves as the meeting place and office of the the Carrabelle Lighthouse Association.

The replica Keeper's House

There are wonderful amenities located at this beautiful historic site as well, including an awesome playground constructed to look like a pirate ship  named "The Carrabella". The replica Keeper's House now serves as the museum which includes some of the original items from the site. Every Saturday from 1pm to 4pm they open the lighthouse for the public to climb. It is a unique opportunity and very few lighthouses allow the public inside to climb to the top. The cost for climbing is $5 for adults and $3 for children (they also have group rates. I really enjoyed my climb to the top of this piece of local history. It was a very memorable experience! I think I just might have to do it again! The Crooked River Lighthouse is located less than 2 miles west of the Carrabelle bridge at 1975 Highway 98 West. I strongly recommend that if you ever are in the area that you go check it out!

A Step Back in Time: Mission San Luis

Marching to the fort.

This weekend I decided to take a minute and relive our area's history. I found myself at Mission San Luis in Tallahassee for their living history event. There you can interact with living history demonstrators, which takes you back in time to when the Spanish and Apalachee were living in close proximity at this exact location. This past weekend entry fees were waived as part of a special program put on by Visit Tallahassee and the Tallahassee T.O.U.R. Guides program.

My first stop was the fort, well, actually I marched with the soldiers to the fort, snapping photos along the way. On the way to the fort they stopped in front of the church, where they were blessed by a Spanish friar. Visitors of all ages were marching with the soldiers as they made their way to the fort. When we arrived at the fort, after making our way around the plaza, we had the opportunity to interact with the soldiers and learn about the fort itself. They showed us their weapons, where the soldiers slept and the various tools they would have used. There was even hard tack and olive oil on the table, giving visitors a real sense of what it would have been like to be a solider at the Spanish mission in the 1600s.

The musket firing at the fort.

After that, it was time for the real reason we were all at the fort, the musket firing demonstration! They had a visitor read the firing drill in Spanish. This was the actual drill that the soldiers would have used at Mission San Luis. Then we were all told to cover our ears and two musket were fired! It was awesome!

The blacksmith.

After that I decided to take a walk around and visit some of the other living history demonstrators. My first stop was the village blacksmith. He had an apprentice assisting him, a young visitor with a ton of enthusiasm. I doubt that little boy will ever forget the day that he had the chance to actually assist a real blacksmith! His mom was busily snapping pictures.

Inside the Council House

Next we stopped by the Spanish House and visited with some Spanish women working in their garden and tending to their chickens. Yup, that's right, there were living history chickens there as well! I wonder if they attended interpreter training?! After that I just had to check out the large, thatched roof council house. This is where the Apalachee would have attended to their business. It was huge! There was an Apalachee woman in the council house who was very informative and showed me around and explained many of the items that were inside the structure. There were ceramics, drums, rattles and many other items the Apalachee used. There was a fire pit in the center of the structure and wooden platforms for the Apalachee located all around the fire pit. I could almost see and feel what it would have been like to sit around the fire with the Apalachee.

After my visit to Mission San Luis, I would have to put this on my list of places you must visit when in Tallahassee! In addition to the living history interpreters and the reconstructed structures, there is a beautiful museum and visitors center too! It was a great way to spend a Saturday!

Outreach Staff Retreat 2010

FPAN Outreach Staff at Bonnett House in Ft. Lauderdale

This past weekend the FPAN Outreach Staff met at our Southeast Regional Office in Ft. Lauderdale for our first ever Outreach Retreat. It was a great opportunity for me to get to know the staff better, since I am the newbie.

 We had fun, but we also had a lot of work to accomplish in two days. We discussed ways to integrate archaeology into existing classroom curricula and discussed new lesson plans. We also learned about some really awesome festival activities that Matt, the Southwest Regional Coordinator created. We even tried our hand at Photoshop-I still am a novice though! Sarah, the Southeast Coordinator, organized this wonderful weekend. She even invited guest speakers to help us fine tune our publicity and marketing by more effectively utilizing social media such as facebook and twitter. Which, by the way, I update regularly, so be sure to check that out! We had a wonderful reception at the local historical commission, and took that opportunity to check out their exhibits as well.

 The Historic Bonnett House and Gardens in Ft. Lauderdale

While in Ft. Lauderdale we had the opportunity to visit a treasured historic landmark, the Bonnett House. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1984 and later was declared a historic landmark by the City of Fort Lauderdale in 2002. The National Trust for Historic Preservation included Bonnet House in the Save America’s Treasures program and it has been listed as one of America's 11 most endangered sites because of the encroaching development of the area surrounding this unique Florida treasure. The property was purchased by Hugh Taylor Birch in 1919 and given to his daughter and son-in-law as a wedding gift. Construction of t he Bonnett House began in 1920. In 1983 it was donated to the Florida Trust for Historic Preservation. At the time this was the largest charitable gift in history! The house and gardens are very whimsical, to say the least. And colorful, exotic orchids can be seen in every nook and cranny. But wait, there's more to this property than meets the eye! A shell midden is located on this property that was left by it's earlier Tequesta inhabitants and dates to 2000 B.C. It goes to show that even the earliest Floridians appreciated beautiful beach front property! If you ever are down that way, I strongly urge you to check out this unique piece of historic South Florida!  It is one of a kind!

In conclusion, the Outreach Staff Retreat for 2010 was a huge success. I am sure I can speak for the whole staff when I say that we all learned a lot and shared wonderful new and innovative ideas. You can look forward to the benefits of this retreat in future North Central outreach activities. So as always, keep checking back with us to see what is going on in your region!

Barbara Hines, Regional Coordinator

Hi all, and welcome to the new FPAN North Central blog! I have to admit that I am new to this blogging thing, but I am very excited. The North Central Region holds a wealth of awesome archaeological resources and I am glad to have the opportunity to share them with you. Check back to this blog often to find out what is happening in our area and hopefully learn of some really awesome things to check out in  your own back yard! This is a new regional office for FPAN, and we are just getting up and running, so there is a lot to explore. We are planning some public outreach events for the upcoming months, so be sure to check back often! Be sure to check out our website (www.flpublicarchaeology.org) and follow us on twitter and facebook too!