Mill Talk: What is industrial archeology? Its past and future.

This presentation will explain what industrial archeology is. It will trace the history of the field, from its beginnings in England in the 1950s and the founding of the U.S. Society for Industrial Archeology in 1971, to the present, and describe some of its contributions, like the early surveys of historic textile mills. It will cover its connections to allied history and practice fields, like history of technology and historic preservation. Wermiel will conclude by presenting her ideas for what the field might focus on, to have a purpose that can sustain it.

Sara E. Wermiel is an independent scholar, historic preservation consultant, and teacher. Her research focuses on nineteenth century building technology, construction history, building types, and industrialization. She currently teaches Preservation Planning in the Preservation Studies Program at Boston University.

Free to the public, but registration required.

Doors open at 6:30 p.m.