Archaeological Study Findings to be Revealed April 7
The Clarkson Historical Society will unveil the findings of a months‑long archaeological investigation into the long‑lost foundation of the original Clarkson Academy, a wooden structure built in 1836 that burned to the ground in December 1852. The presentation, given by a team from SUNY Brockport, will take place on Tuesday, April 7, at 7 p.m. at the Clarkson Academy, 8343 West Ridge Road. The event is free and open to the public.
Faculty and students from SUNY Brockport’s Anthropology, Archaeology, and Geology programs joined forces last fall to search for the exact location and footprint of the original academy building—details that have been obscured over time. The brick replacement structure that was constructed in 1853 still stands today.
The research team employed a suite of modern tools rarely seen by the general public, including ground‑penetrating radar, drone‑based NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index) imaging, metal detecting, and other advanced surveying technologies. Local metal detectorist Matt Bacchetta also contributed his expertise during the excavation and will share his findings.
The upcoming presentation will showcase artifacts uncovered during the project—nearly 100 items in total—including remnants from the coal-fired stove in the original building. The team will discuss whether the evidence points to the true location of the first academy structure and what clues the findings may offer about the cause of the 1852 fire.
This project marks the beginning of a broader series of “community archaeology” initiatives planned by the Historical Society in partnership with SUNY Brockport throughout 2026.
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