Policies
Mission Statement
The laboratory’s mission is to serve as a repository of archaeological collections that 
provide an educational resource for the students of the Department of Historic Preservation and the archaeological community; and, that pertain to current and past work of the Center for Historic Preservation. In addition, our goal is to contribute to a larger understanding of the greater Fredericksburg area through its archaeological resources. The lab’s collections are available to faculty, students, the Fredericksburg community, and outside researchers.
Accession Policy
The Archaeology Laboratory is not actively seeking acquisitions at this moment due to limited storage space, however, we are willing to assess collections and determine if those could be accessioned in the future, if those are relevant to the mission statement.
Objects and collections are accepted into the permanent collection if those are in accordance with the following criteria:
- Student and faculty related projects, accessioned annually
- Relevant to the University of Mary Washington
- Have proper documentation and provenience
- Obtained under ethical conditions
- Have a focus on the greater Fredericksburg area and pertain to the pre-history and history of that area
Deaccession Policy
The decision to deaccession will be made with great care, taking into consideration the interests of the laboratory and the public it serves. The process of deaccessioning is designed to keep the laboratory’s identity clear, focused, and consistent with its mission.
An object or collection will be deaccessioned if:
- There is a lack of provenience and contextual information, making it inapplicable to research.
- There is a lack of relation to the greater Fredericksburg area.
- It is determined to have been obtained under unethical circumstances
The laboratory director is responsible for determining when deaccession is necessary and will adhere to the above criteria for deaccession.
Possible deaccession options include returning the artifacts to their owners or transferring the artifacts to another institution that would have more use for these materials.
Photo by McMillan, 2016. Artifact distribution by Robin Ramey, 2016. Distribution overlay by Melanie Füchsel, 2017.
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Disaster Plan
UMW Response Team
- Lauren McMillan, Archaeology Laboratory Director
- Andrea Levi Smith, Chair, Department of Historic Preservation
- Michael Spencer, Director, Center for Historic Preservation
- John Wiltenmuth, Facility Services
- Ruth Lovelace, Director of Emergency Management and Safety
- President’s Office
- Student Laboratory Aides
Threats
Archaeology Laboratory
- Flood
- Fire
- Water damage from overhead sprinklers
- Loss of power or ventilation (HVAC)
- Windows as a possible security breach point
- Leaks from above floors and from windows
- Chemicals in storage
- Pests
James Farmer Sub-basement storage
- Water leakage
- Loss of power
Response to Disaster
- Determine inventory and scope of artifacts damaged or in danger of being damaged
- Priorities:
- Artifacts that are owned by the Department, University, or laboratory
- Items susceptible to damage including: photographs, computer and associated records, chemicals, and books and artifacts stored near the ground.
Emergency Kit
- Copy of plans and records
- Building specifics in AutoCAD
Response to Damage
- Offsite storage facilities to transfer to if necessary in case of damage to laboratory
- James Farmer Hall sub-basement
- Campus storage, as possible
- Rented storage facility
- City of Fredericksburg’s offices
provide an educational resource for the students of the Department of Historic Preservation and the archaeological community; and, that pertain to current and past work of the Center for Historic Preservation. In addition, our goal is to contribute to a larger understanding of the greater Fredericksburg area through its archaeological resources. The lab’s collections are available to faculty, students, the Fredericksburg community, and outside researchers.
