Smithsonian Environmental Research Center

Join us for one or all free talks in this series! You'll learn from members in the Environmental Archaeology Lab and get the chance to peruse the exhibits at the Woodlawn History Center, the oldest building in the Smithsonian still in its original spot. 

July 13 - Native American History in the Chesapeake Bay
Aug. 10 - Shell-button Making
Sept. 14 - After the Chesapeake: Native American History
Oct. 5 - Cemeteries in the Chesapeake Region
Nov. 9 - Maryland Smugglers in the 1650s
Dec. 7 - Discovery of a 1660s Jesuit Chapel and Priests' House in Newtown

Speaker: Dr. Sara Via, University of Maryland

Attention outdoor enthusiasts and volunteer scientists! We need your help to get as many water samples from the Chesapeake Bay as possible on Thursday, September 26th.

There will be two high-resolution satellites, Landsat-9 and Sentinel-2a, gracing the skies above the Chesapeake Bay. We can use your water samples to improve the water quality monitoring algorithms for not one but two satellites. Your small act can still make a big impact in safeguarding our coastal ecosystems. Don't miss out on the fun!

Join us for a dig day with the Environmental Archaeology Lab! Help us look for evidence of a structure near the Java Ruins on our campus in Edgewater, Maryland. You'll have the chance to work together and with researchers to do a variety of tasks, including sieving sediment and washing/sorting artifacts.