The Center for Historic and Military Archaeology

The Center for Historic and Military Archaeology (CHMA) is an academic research and experiential learning program designed to reach beyond the traditional focus of undergraduate education. The CMHA provides a quality program for anthropological archaeologists focusing on historic and military archaeology and cultural research.

The Center operates an Experiential Learning Program involving Heidelberg students with middle school and high school students, their parents and their teachers with research at the Johnson’s Island Civil War Military Prison site. Since 1994, Heidelberg has carried out undergraduate and graduate summer field schools at the Johnson's Island Civil War Military Prison site under the guidance of the Center's Director, Dr. David Bush.

Investigations at the Johnson's Island Civil War Prison Site began in 1988 by Dr. Bush.  Over the past years, Dr. Bush has explored various issues related to prisoner confinement and treatment. Since 1998, Dr. Bush has brought these investigations to the Center for use in the Experiential Learning Program, Undergraduate Research and interpretative displays. Undergraduate students at Heidelberg enjoy the opportunity to utilize the extensive collections from this site in individual research projects resulting in professional quality papers and presentations.

Since 1995, Heidelberg has been involved in the research and field work under the direction of Dr. G. Michael Pratt at the Fallen Timbers Battlefield Archaeological Project, playing a significant role in developing this historic site into a unit of the National Park System.

In 1999, Dr. Pratt began work on the Buffington Island Battlefield Archaeological Project, attempting to define the actual lines of engagement of the 1863 battle that led to the end of the northern raid by Confederate cavalry Gen. John Hunt Morgan.

Significant field research and/or study also has been conducted at Fort Miamis in Maumee, Fort Adams near Celina, Fort Meigs in Perrysburg and River Raisin Massacre in Monroe, Mich. Additional archaeological investigations are being considered for other historic and military sites in Seneca Country and around the state of Ohio. The CHMA is located within Gillmor Science Hall. Its facilities are commensurate with the nationally significant sites under study.