ASNJ Statement Regarding the Montpelier Foundation
The Archaeological Society of New Jersey has been closely following actions of the Montpelier Foundation regarding their break in trust with the Montpelier Descendants Committee, exclusionary bylaw changes, and the retaliatory firings of several key staff members for working together with the MDC and speaking publicly about the TMF’s reversal of this celebrated partnership.
Intimidation and retaliation have no place in archaeology. It is the moral responsibility of professional archaeologists to work together with historically underrepresented communities, such as the MDC, to accurately interpret sites using artifacts, features, context, and scientific data.
The ASNJ stands with the Montpelier Staff and the Montpelier Descendants Committee and condemns the discriminatory behaviors of the Montpelier Foundation, particularly Board Chair Gene Hickock and President Roy Young.
As an organization we will be drafting formal correspondence to both the Montpelier Foundation and the National Historic Trust, who own the property, and will be participating in the nationwide boycott of both organizations until leadership is held accountable.
To read more regarding this developing story please visit www.montpelierstaff.com
Diversity and Outreach Statement
Out of an abundance of concern for the disenfranchisement of African Americans in the United States, the ASNJ has begun a process to re-evaluate its long-term programming and outreach, find ways to better serve diverse communities in New Jersey, and provide a more inclusive environment for disparate voices and opinions to be heard regarding the archaeology of the state’s past. Diversity is essential to ensure the field of archaeology incorporates and considers varied approaches and viewpoints shaped by individual experiences. As archaeologists, we can serve as social activists and are given an ability to help correct inaccurate, revisionist histories and offer a greater voice to individuals and communities historically relegated as “other”. Through archaeology and community involvement, we can create greater inclusivity and provide communities with an avenue to learn about and celebrate diverse cultural heritages. The ASNJ is setting goals to expand its outreach to and involve more ethnically diverse communities through its annual public archaeological studies, speaking with underserved schools to promote archaeology, and developing symposiums that highlight historical experiences of disenfranchised New Jersey communities. We have also begun discussions to form a new research grant to promote scholarly studies on African American cultural history and archaeological contributions in New Jersey. We look forward to striving toward these important goals.