Beginning May 6, the Doak House Museum grounds on the Tusculum College campus will be the site of an archeology field school run by the Jeffery L. Brown Institute of Archeology of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.

Nine graduate students led by Dr. Nicholas Honerkamp will work for a month attempting to answer some questions and, it is hoped, uncover the past. In addition, the dig will help to provide a unique learning experience for area school children.

The dig will attempt to answer questions such as: Where exactly did the early 18th century road pass through the Doak House site? Where were the fence lines on the site? What was the construction of the original Doak barn, the footers of which were revealed in the August 2001 flood? What was the size and function of the kitchen wing extension that disappeared in the circa 1920s? Where were outbuildings located on Rev. Doak's farm site? And, what might be located in two former privy sites, that were often used as household trash pits?

The answers to these and other questions will help Tusculum's Department of Museum Program and Studies to not only better interpret the site to visitors of all ages, but also aid in the development of a plan to re-establish the site closer to its appearance in the early 1800s.

More than 600 school children will be visiting the site during the time of the dig. They will have the opportunity to talk with the archeological students and learn about how history is uncovered. The school age visitors will also participate in their own version of a dig.

The general public is also welcomed to stop by the Doak House during the month of May (Monday-Friday) and talk with the archeology students about their work.

Schools wishing to schedule students to participate in the "Dig at the Doak" education program should call Charlene Williams at 423-636-8554 to make reservations. Programs are scheduled on a first call, first serve basis.

This educational opportunity and programming at the Doak House Museum is made possible through a partnership with GenCorp Foundation that has continually supported Tusculum College and its various educational efforts.

The Department of Museum Program and Studies of Tusculum College offers one of the few undergraduate degree programs in museum studies in the country. The department also operates the Doak House Museum and President Andrew Johnson Museum and Library on the campus. In addition, it works to preserve the College Archives.