Rediscovering a Forgotten Public Highway: The Rise, Fall, and Archaeological Rebirth of the Aramingo Canal
The Holy Family University-Glen Foerd on the Delaware History Speaker Series continues on Friday, November 6 at 7 pm, as archaeologist Douglas Mooney presents “Rediscovering a Forgotten Public Highway: The Rise, Fall, and Archaeological Rebirth of the Aramingo Canal” in the University’s Perzel Education & Technology Center (ETC).
Created in the 1840s to spur economic development and community improvement in the Kensington and Port Richmond sections of Philadelphia, the Aramingo Canal transformed these communities at the outskirts of the city into a hub of industrial productivity. However, the canal was eventually backfilled and buried beneath the expanding streetscape. In 2007 and 2008, well-preserved portions of the unusual timber-lined canal were rediscovered. Mooney’s presentation will discuss the canal’s history, as well as the findings from recent archaeological data recovery excavations.
Mooney is a Senior Archaeologist with the Archaeological and Historic Architecture Group of URS Corporation (URS) in Burlington, New Jersey, and directed the recent investigations of the Aramingo Canal. He has 20 years of experience in archaeology and cultural resources management and has participated in the excavation of more than 150 sites throughout Pennsylvania and surrounding states.
The event, which is co-sponsored by Holy Family and Glen Foerd, is free and open to the public.
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