The 1998 Field School Team at Work

Here are some candid photographs of Abilene Christian University students at work on preservation projects. As you can see the field work included a variety of projects giving students new experiences in the world of applied history.

  • The History Lab--Staci Williams gets supplies ready to go to Colorado Vernon L. Williams, photographer

  • Staci Williams and Angie Fuller put together the photographic exhibit since it had been in storage for a whole year. Alisa Cooper, photographer

  • Angie Fuller reattaches works on the photographic exhibit. Brenda Field, photographer

  • Staci Williams examines and cleans pieces of the photographic exhibit. Kelly McNeil, photographer

  • Michelle Matthews and J.B. McKaskle try to allign pieces of wood for the wall exhibit. Amy Zortman, photographer

  • Jason Hutt starts assembling the shelves for the wall exhibit. Kelly McNeil, photographer

  • In a moment of rest, Julie Maldonado, J.B McKaskle, and Michelle Matthews wait until they are able to finish sawing a board for the wall exhibit. Kelly McNeil, photographer

  • Brenda Field stands in the privy hole she worked in while at Primero. The hole ended up not having any artifacts in it. Erin Baker, photographer

  • Alisa Cooper gets dirt out of the privy she digs in. Julie Maldonado, photographer

  • The scouts help the team out by digging for artifacts. They found many interesting artifacts including bottles and shoes. Staci Williams, photographer

  • Dr. Williams is the cook on site at Primero. Staci Williams, photographer

  • Many people spend much of their time digging in outhouses trying to find aritfacts. Amy Zortman spends the entire week digging out five feet of dirt in one outhouse and finds many remarkable artifacts. Staci Williams, photographer

  • The dirt is removed from the floor of the company store at Primero. Beth Williams and Tonya Bailey sift through the dirt trying to find any artifacts that may have been on the floor. Erin Baker, photographer

  • Brenda Field and Amy Zortman try to repair the privy so it can be set up on the edge of the mountain for a spectacular view. Julie Maldonado, photographer

  • Unpacking is a huge event at Primero. All of the luggage the 1998 Field School brings camping is piled up until everyone puts up their tents. Julie Maldonado, photographer

  • Jason Hutt and Kelly McNeil put up a tent at Primero for the team's long stay on the site. Julie Maldonado, photographer

  • Brenda Field, Alisa Cooper, and Leslie Isham clean the glass in one of the display cases for the festival. Amy Zortman, photographer

  • Tonya Bailey, Michelle Matthews, and J.B McKaskle move one of the glass display cases to organize the museum for the festival. Alisa Cooper, photographer

  • The 1998 Field School classroom setting consists of three tables in a box shape. It is a central location for socializing and discussing projects since it is in the middle of mercantile. Amy Zortman, photographer

  • Gary Lindsey, graduate student in history, takes the team on a walking tour of Cokedale. During the 1998 Field School, Mr. Lindsey delivered many lectures on mining towns and helped the students understand life in Cokedale a little better. Amy Zortman, photographer

  • On the Cokedale tour, the team learns some history about Jesus and Mary Catholic Church in Cokedale. Amy Zortman, photographer

  • Michelle Matthews installs software into the computers that are much needed at field school. All of the equipment is brought up from Abilene. Brenda Field, photographer

  • Students wait for instructions and help from Dr. Williams before the day's assignments begin. Kelly McNeil, photographer

  • Every year the darkroom is brought up from Abilene. Beth Williams is in charge of the darkroom for the 1998 Field School so getting it in working condition is her responsibility. Brenda Field, photographer

  • Amy Zortman and Erin Baker look at negatives to find out which ones they should print. unknown photographer

  • Leslie Isham, Becky Adams, Tonya Bailey, and Angie Fuller learn how to use the copy stand for a project. Amy Zortman, photographer

  • Kenny Wiggins uses the copy stand to complete an assignment for class. unknown photographer

  • The coke ovens are where the miners burnt coal at a high temperature to produce coke. Brenda Field and Julie Maldonado look for pieces of coal or coke for centerpieces for the Friday night dinner in the mercantile. Angie Fuller, photographer

  • The video camera could be a tricky thing to balance. Michelle Matthews supports the video while she documents the team around Cokedale. Any Zortman

  • Julie Maldonado and Kenny Wiggins try to find the perfect shot of the Miner's office for the documentary of Cokedale. Brenda Field, Photographer

  • Alisa Cooper looks through bags of artifacts from the 1996 team trying to find items to display. Kelly McNeil, photographer

  • Becky Adams, Brenda Field, and Tonya Bailey sort through the artifacts for one of the last times so only the best items appear in the display. Angie Fuller, photographer

  • Staci Williams looks through artifacts. Angie Fuller, photographer

  • Angie Fuller and Tonya Bailey go through the long process of cleaning artifacts. Kelly McNeil, photographer

  • Kelly McNeil washes bottles that were gathered near the coke ovens. Angie Fuller, photographer

  • J.B. McKaskle and Julie Maldonado move the television downstairs in the mercantile. Kelly McNeil, photographer

  • Julie Maldonado waits in the elevator until she can finally reach the bottom and get out of it. Kelly McNeil, photographer

  • Friday night before the festival, the team set up a dinner for some residents of the surrounding area. J.B. McKaskle and Amy Zortman converse while in line for dinner with a gentleman who grew up in Cokedale. Kelly McNeil, photographer

  • Kelly McNeil decorates the tables for the festival dinner. Alisa Cooper, photographer

  • Tonya Bailey talks with some ladies as they view the wall exhibit and display cases during the Cokedale Festival. Becky Adams, photographer

  • The 1998 Field School set up a booth in the park during the festival where they sold items for the Cokedale museum. Jason Hutt, photographer

    For corrections and contributions regarding this World Wide Web page, contact Dr. Vernon L. Williams, ACU Box 28130, Department of History, Abilene Christian Unviersity, Abilene, Texas 79699.

    E-mail vwilliams@nicanor.acu.edu
    FAX 915-674-2369
    Telephone 915-674-2150.