“Unearthing Tredegar”: An Archaeological Treasure Richmond, VA – Touch a piece of history as Tredegar is unearthed! Join archaeologist Lyle Browning at the American Civil War Center at Historic Tredegar, as he guides visitors through a slideshow and walking tour of the Tredegar Iron Works from 2-4p.m. on Saturday, May 22, 2010, 500 Tredegar Street. Lyle E. Browning, president of Browning & Associates, Ltd., and director of excavations for Falling Creek Iron Works, has a lifelong interest in industrial archaeology and more specifically in iron facilities. His lecture will include findings from a dig at Tredegar and will be complimented by a walking tour of the site. Artifacts found during excavation will be on hand to offer visitors a chance to see and touch what was unearthed after the Foundry closed. Founded in 1836, the Tredegar Iron Works was the South’s leading manufacturer of rail, locomotive, and munitions during the Civil War. The relocation of the Confederate capital in 1861 from Montgomery, Alabama to Richmond, Virginia, was due in no small part to Tredegar’s prowess. After the war, Tredegar flourished as a profitable business and, in 1873, employed more than 1,200 employees. Later, Tredegar supported the military with supplies for both World Wars I and II until most of the site destroyed by fire in 1952. Today, only five buildings remain on what is now and 8.3-acre site along the James in Richmond’s Riverfront District. Participants of “Unearthing Tredegar” will view authentic Tredegar “slag” remaining from years of iron melding on the site, a National Historic Landmark. Exterior industrial artifacts will help to further interpret the tools that were used by artisans on the site both pre- and post-Civil War. For details on this event and upcoming programs at the Center, visit www.tredegar.org or call (804) 780-1865 x10. # # # The mission of the American Civil War Center at Historic Tredegar is to tell the whole story of the conflict that still shapes our nation. ______________________________________ To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe please see the instructions at http://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-hist.html