THOMASVILLE- The February meeting of the Thomasville Chapter National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) featured a program by Anne McCudden, Executive Director of the Thomasville History Center. The speaker was introduced by Chapter Regent Shelba Sellers.

McCudden spoke about a project which began in April 2024 by retired archaeologists from Thomasville at an excavation site known as Senet Hadjo’s Town on Lake Miccosukee in Leon County, Florida. Using drone footage, they located part of the original Mission road which went from Apalachee to St. Augustine. The trail is a very narrow road from around the 15th century which people would have traveled on by foot.

During the excavation, the archaeologists and biologists completed field work and collected over 3,000 artifacts. With the help of Florida State University, they also completed Ground Penetrating Radar. Some of the items found were pieces of brush pottery, part of a Calumet pipe which is a ceremonial pipe, and metal artifacts such as tips of spears used for hunting. Many items have not yet been identified but are historic and were used by Native Americans. Animal teeth, silver jewelry, and scissors were also found. Using water and screens, hundreds of small black and white beads and blue-colored glass beads were discovered. Items found would indicate that they are from a home and that families lived there. The excavation site is nearing completion by the archaeologists. McCudden said, “this is a really cool project that is historical, located within the Red Hills region and is a 1760’s town.”

The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution was founded in 1890 to promote historic preservation, education, and patriotism. Its members are descended from the patriots who won American independence during the Revolutionary War. With more than 190,000 members in approximately 3,000 chapters worldwide, DAR is one of the world’s largest and most active service organizations. More than one million women have joined the DAR since it was founded. To learn more about today’s DAR, visit www.DAR.org. For information about Thomasville Chapter DAR, visit chapters.georgiastatedar.org/thomasville/ or facebook.com/ThomasvilleChapterNSDAR.