Part of a series of articles titled African American Households.
Article
The Nash Site
Historical Background
![Sketched and labeled 1878 map of the Nash site. Nash Site area labeled in red. Sketched and labeled 1878 map of the Nash site. Nash Site area labeled in red.](/articles/images/MANA_NashMap1.jpg?maxwidth=650&autorotate=false)
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The Nash site was discovered during a 1990 archeological survey. Historical evidence indicates that the site was occupied by an African-American family, Philip Nash and his wife and children, for a relatively short time span from the 1870s to 1880s. Historically, the Nash site was located on a tract of land owned by the residents of the nearby Brownsville Plantation. Today, the remains of the dwelling consist of the stone chimney footing and stone piers to support a structure.
![Second of 1878 maps of the Nash site with small hand-written notes. Nash site area labeled in red Second of 1878 maps of the Nash site with small hand-written notes. Nash site area labeled in red](/articles/images/MANA_NashMap2_1.jpg?maxwidth=1300&maxheight=1300&autorotate=false)
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Archeological Excavations
![Photograph of two National Park Service archaeologists excavating the Nash Site. A woman, who is handling an artifact, and a man are both shown seated on the ground Photograph of two National Park Service archaeologists excavating the Nash Site. A woman, who is handling an artifact, and a man are both shown seated on the ground](/articles/images/MANA_NashEx1.jpg?maxwidth=650&autorotate=false)
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During the 1990 archeological survey, project archeologists discovered the remains of a chimney and a nearby depression related to the house. Archeological investigations at the Nash site occurred in 1991 and revealed the foundations of a 14-by-16 foot structure, most likely a one and one-half story frame building. Artifacts found during the excavations include ceramics, glass, architectural debris, buttons, a single blue bead, gaming pieces, and quartz crystals. The material culture indicates that the site was occupied during the 1870s to 1880s.
![Photograph of chimney footing, depicted as stones assorted in a rectangular shape. There is a black card near the footing to mark the site Photograph of chimney footing, depicted as stones assorted in a rectangular shape. There is a black card near the footing to mark the site](/articles/images/MANA_NashEx2_1.jpg?maxwidth=1300&maxheight=1300&autorotate=false)
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![Plan view of Nash site. There are labels to different parts of the site. Plan view of Nash site. There are labels to different parts of the site.](/articles/images/MANA_NashEx3.jpg?maxwidth=1300&maxheight=1300&autorotate=false)
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Last updated: April 20, 2020