Archaeological work here may someday answer an even bigger question about the deep roots of Sugarland: Prior to emancipation in 1864, was the property that became this thriving community directly associated with slavery?
were: the iron tools used to stoke women whose homestead deeds the embers. The history and the were in their own names rather than in the names of their hus- artifacts all lined up perfectly. The artifacts confirm what historians bands, and ongoing research may told us, but to be able to see it— help us understand why. The Sugarland Ethno-History Project holds and literally pick up and hold those objects— is just amazing.”
Basil Dorsey’ s 1907 death certificate, and census records show that
The footprint of the house as outlined by its foundation stones— the widowed Nancy Dorsey went a mere 140 square feet— shocked to live with her daughter, Maggie, early visitors to the dig site, especially since census records show family’ s loss of the farm in a 1926
in the District of Columbia, but the that the Dorseys had several children. The Dorsey home was one of Archaeological work here may
tax sale is still unexplained.
Sugarland’ s smallest, but Tetrault someday answer an even bigger notes that the later kitchen nearly question about the deep roots of doubled the size of the house. Recent summer discoveries, such as in 1864, was the property that be-
Sugarland: Prior to emancipation
a root cellar and a corn crib, show came this thriving community directly associated with slavery? that the Dorseys were active and busy across their entire farmstead. Tetrault is quick to credit Tetrault also observes how archaeology has a way of humanizing the organizations for helping keep
many volunteers, colleagues, and past: An abundance of pencils testifies to the community’ s well-doc- The Montgomery College Founda-
the Dorsey site active and viable.
umented commitment to literacy tion has funded student interns, and education, while other artifacts hint at the inner lives of chil- support from the Maryland Hu-
and the dig has received financial
dren who otherwise might only be manities Council, the Maryland names in census reports.
Heritage Areas Authority, and the“ We found a child’ s teacup Archaeological Society of Maryland, which has also provided right outside the back door,” she says.“ You can picture the adults trained volunteers. Tetrault further sitting there hanging out, cooking praises Dr. James G. Gibb, a Smithsonian-affiliated consultant, for dinner, giving kids time to play before dinner, and what do kids do? sharing his expertise in Maryland They had fun, but they left their archaeology; University of Maryland graduate student Larry Jack- toys outside.” The Dorsey farmstead still son, who mapped the site in 2025; holds many mysteries. Nancy and her assistant, Kira Lehman, for Dorsey was one of four Sugarland helping to manage a dizzying array of artifacts and the paperwork that accompanies every find.
To date, Tetrault’ s team has explored only part of the four-acre farmstead. As she waits to learn whether funding will come through for the 2026 season, she sees endless possibilities: The kitchen garden awaits scrutiny, the fields where the Dorseys grew corn and wheat may hide many secrets beneath its locust trees, and last year’ s discovery of what may be a second, previously unknown house could add a whole new chapter to the Dorsey family story.
Both Tetrault and the Sugarland Ethno-History Project further envision a small interpretative trail through the archaeological site to help visitors better understand the rural African American experience in the late 19th century. This history has often been overshadowed by the study of slavery or the migration of African Americans to northern cities, but Tetrault hopes her success at the Dorseys’ homestead will inspire others to give this period a closer look.
“ When you tell people you’ re going into archaeology, people say,‘ You should go dig in Egypt!’” she chuckles.“ Egypt is cool, but Montgomery County has what I wanted the whole time.”
Jeff Sypeck is the co-author, with Gwen Reese and Suzanne Johnson, of the 2020 book I Have Started for Canaan: The Story of the African American Town of Sugarland. He volunteered at the Dorsey archaeological site during the 2021 and 2022 seasons. Learn more about the Sugarland Ethno-History Project at www. sugarlandproject. org.
42 plenty I spring sowing 2026