ETERNALSOLDIER
Archaeology at Fort mifflin
Fridays & Saturdays, Sept 26 — October 25, 2025
830am-400pm, Rain or Shine
6400 Hog Island Road, Phila PA 19153
Registration Required!
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Archaeology at Fort Mifflin, a University of Pennsylvania project directed by the team at Eternal Soldier in collaboration with the Weitzman School of Design and the Penn Museum Center for the Analysis of Archaeological Materials, investigates a Revolutionary War fort described as "the most under-investigated, under-appreciated, forsaken site in our nation’s military history”: Fort Mifflin in Philadelphia.
Veterans in Design Workshop discussion with Eternal Soldier
Veterans were major contributors to the design of Archaeology at Fort Mifflin. Through a series of design workshops, we learned what about Fort Mifflin was important to them and what features they felt would be most crucial to interpret from the viewpoint of the average soldier. They advised that we should investigate diet and medicine as these are critical to active-duty military members.
As a result, our project design utilizes geophysics, history and excavation to center the garrison---officers, enlisted soldiers and military families, civilians and community members---stationed at the site from the Revolutionary War through WWII.
Video - Geophysics of underground remains at Fort Mifflin
To deliver greater detail about food and medicine, the project retrieves archaeobotanical remains---seeds, pollen, charcoal etc.---that help us identify which plant taxa were present at the fort.
Additionally, we investigate the archaeological connections to Fort Mifflin’s sister site Fort Mercer, located at Red Bank Battlefield and visible across the Delaware in National Park, New Jersey. Our design also emphasizes pressing questions of site conservation and preservation.
We welcome all members of the public who wish to participate in this project, especially Veterans. Tap the form below, or send us an email at info@eternalsoldier.org to let us know you want to play a part in our work.
Archaeology at Fort Mifflin is a professional program of excavation investigating fort inhabitants, construction changes over time, post-Revolution use of the site, and battle related artifacts. Veterans and the public will help dig, work with specialists and process artifacts (screening and washing). Please note: Children under 14YO will not be permitted to work in the excavation trenches or with heavy tools. Screening and artifact cleaning will be available for all.
Come ready to get dirty.
Archaeology at Fort Mifflin is funded by the American Battlefield Protection Program of the National Park Service.