Sayre School Historic Archaeology Project

Sponsored by Cultural Resource Analysts, Inc.

Introduction to the Henry Brainerd McClellan Award at the 2003 Board Dinner

Karen Ulack -- Lower School Director of the Sayre School

"The Henry Brainerd McClellan Award is given this year to Waterwild Farm and Cultural Resource Analysts. The human faces behind these two groups are Sayre parents Jamie and Madelyn Millard, of Waterwild Farm and Chuck Niquette, founder and owner of Cultural Resource Analysts, Inc. Together, they have enabled Sayre School students to experience a real archeological dig during the past 6 years.

Thinking back to the beginning of this unique project, I remember that it was late in the summer of 1997. Our 4th grade teachers were working together, brainstorming about some of the Kentucky history experiences that our students might possibly have during that upcoming school year. They thought it would be wonderful to somehow incorporate an archeological dig into their curriculum. What a way to learn about the early history of our state! But just how to go about this was the question?

Shortly after school began, Janie Cowgill mentioned this idea of a dig to her assembled parents on Back to School Night, noting that we weren’t sure how to actually make this happen, but wouldn’t it be exciting? Sitting in the room that evening were Jamie and Madelyn Millard, parents of then 4th grader, Caroline.

The next morning my phone rang and Madeline Millard was calling about this idea of an archeological dig. She told me that her husband’s family owned an historic farm, and that to her knowledge it had not been the site of any archeological exploration. Madeline wanted us to know that they would be happy to offer their farm to us as a possible site if we were able to figure out all of the rest of it.

And that’s when I thought of Chuck Niquette. How many archeologists do I know? Only one, Chuck Niquette, and he just happened to be a Sayre parent also.

So, to make a long story short, one phone call to Chuck and the rest is history. And oh, what history our children have experienced!

They have unearthed projectile points from the Adena culture, clay marbles, glass dating back to the 1800’s, a shoe buckle (possibly from that of a slave or civil war soldier) and on and on. Our students have learned the process of carefully scraping away the dirt, called excavating, then gently sifting for artifacts. Chuck and his employees have given their time not only on the days that our students have been out at Waterwild Farm, for the actual dig, but then later, back at school to instruct the children and help them wash and categorize their findings.

It is hard to put into words how an experience like this enriches our curriculum. It is also hard to put into words our appreciation for the countless hours that Chuck and his staff have given to this project and the generosity of the Millard Family as they have opened the grounds of their home to us over and over and over again.

Many of our students describe the dig as the best part of their 4th grade year. Not only do our children feel this way, but the adults do too. For the 4th grade teachers and the multitude of parent volunteers, it is an absolute highlight. Now we do a lot of nifty things in the Lower School – but the archeological dig truly tops the list.

Thus it is with deep appreciation that I present the Henry Brainerd McClellan award to Cultural Resource Analysts and Waterwild Farm – to Chuck Niquette and the Millard family."