Fort Pulaski’s Lead Archaeologist Laura Seifert has been digging through Savannah’s museums and squares since receiving her master’s degree at East Carolina University in 2006. She has traced Savannah’s history from the Revolutionary War in Savannah’s squares to the industrial revolution at the Roundhouse Railroad Museum to the personal, domestic histories at the Sorrel Weed House. She joined the Fort Pulaski staff in 2021.   Her presentation, “From Fort Construction to Hurricane Destruction” will give members better insight into Fort Pulaski. While Fort Pulaski is known for its pivotal Civil War battle, the fort’s nearly 200-year history has many layered and complex stories that are less told. Archaeologists are investigating the Workers’ Village, which was initially home to the people who built the fort. The Workers’ Village later housed hospital patients, self-emancipated “contrabands,” officer’s families, and more before the village was thoroughly demolished in the 1881 hurricane. Laura, as the NPS archeologist involved in the work, is looking forward to sharing the results of their work and their latest finds.

Held in the Fort Frederica National Monument Visitor’s Center