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Heritage Commission urges archaeological monitoring at Spa Road site, cites Civil War-era significance
Summary
The Annapolis Heritage Commission asked the city July 10 to require archaeological monitoring and limited testing at the Spa Road public works site, citing Civil War‑era use of the land and the presence of historic features and artifacts.
The Annapolis Heritage Commission urged the city July 10 to include archaeological monitoring and limited test investigations in planning and remediation work at the Spa Road public works site, saying portions of the property were occupied during the Civil War and may contain artifacts and features worth documenting and preserving.
Robert Wharton, vice chair of the Heritage Commission, told the Environmental Matters Committee he has conducted archival research and identified the Spa Road area as part of Colonel John Walton’s 19th‑century farm and as a location used by Union parole camps and army hospitals during the Civil War. Wharton asked the city to require at‑least cursory surface investigation and monitoring during construction or remediation so any artifacts can be recovered and preserved.
“Back in 2010 … we had requested the city and the county to give a chance for some archaeological investigations,” Wharton said. He told the committee that test units and surface monitoring — not necessarily full excavations — could identify “hot spots” meriting additional work and that monitoring rules could be scaled to avoid undue interference with remediation or construction.
Committee members responded favorably to the idea, and some suggested staff return with a timeline and an assessment of how monitoring could be incorporated into remediation and redevelopment work. One committee member said a council resolution directing limited monitoring and preservation measures should be prepared after staff reports on feasibility and potential construction impacts.
Jackie Guile, deputy city manager for resilience and sustainability, said she would ask staff (including the resilience authority point of contact) whether any archaeological assessment already exists for the site, and would add the Heritage Commission’s request to the staff follow‑up items. Committee members asked the law office to consider including the Heritage Commission’s findings as a whereas clause or related language if the ordinance language returns for further action.
No formal vote or binding directive was taken at the committee meeting, but members asked staff to include the Heritage Commission’s request in follow‑up materials and to brief the full committee or a work session once feasibility and potential impacts are documented.
