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Somerset County funds Phase 2 archaeology and curation at Lord Sterling Manor
Summary
The county awarded Hunter Research a contract not to exceed $339,321 for Phase 2 archaeological exploration, collections assessment and curation at Lord Sterling Manor; work will include cataloguing artifacts, possible additional excavations and a proposed field school in partnership with Monmouth University.
Somerset County approved a contract to continue archaeological work at the Lord Sterling Manor site, authorizing Phase 2 work that includes artifact collections assessment, curation and further field exploration.
The Board approved Resolution 25‑722 to award Hunter Research a contract not to exceed $339,321 for Phase 2 archaeological exploration at the Lord Sterling Manor Archaeological Site in Bernards Township. County presenters said Phase 1 used ground‑penetrating radar and produced anomalies that warrant excavation and that phase 2 will include a collections assessment and curation of artifacts gathered in prior digs dating back to the 1970s.
Staff described a major component of Phase 2 as cataloguing and properly archiving artifacts and transferring records to the State Historic Preservation Office. The county noted prior digs were not fully catalogued and that the project aims to create a consolidated, curated collection for research and public use. County staff also described plans to develop an archaeological field school in partnership with Dr. Richard Veidt of Monmouth University and to involve students in excavations and curation work; the field school could feed programming for local festivals such as the county’s 1770s reenactments.
Officials said additional excavation will depend on what the phase‑2 work uncovers. The county characterized the initiative as a long‑term project that could generate future educational programming and public displays; presenters said a field school could attract younger participants and help implement interpretive planning at the manor and other county historic sites.
The resolution was presented and approved during the meeting; roll call indicated support from the commissioners.
Why it matters: the funding moves a decades‑old, partially documented archaeological record toward formal curation, public access and potential educational programming.
Votes at a glance: Resolution 25‑722 — awarded to Hunter Research, not to exceed $339,321; approved by roll call (yes votes recorded at meeting).
