Join Chelsi, Emily, and Kirsten as we have a returning guest, Dr. April Biesaw, PhD of Vassar College discuss some long-term projects. Dr. Biesaw shares how the long-forgotten have meaning, and can teach us to think about the “Greater Good”, what that really means, and the impact of social programs off “poorhouses” on the poor, both living and dead. We discuss how these projects reflect current events, between the push for large infrastructure projects, and caring for the vulnerable.







Show Notes









* Dr. Beisaw’s book on the New York City water project







* Further reading:







* Beisaw, April M., William P. Tatum III, Ginny Buechele, Brian G. McAdoo (2021) Mapping a Poorhouse and Pauper Cemetery as Community Engaged Memory Work. International Journal of Historical Archaeology. DOI 10.1007/s10761-021-00617-4







* Beisaw, April M. (2017) “Ruined by the Thirst for Urban Prosperity: Contemporary Archaeology of City Water Systems.” Contemporary Archaeology and the City: Creativity, Ruination, and Political Action, edited by Laura McAtackney and Krysta Ryzewski. Oxford Press. pp. 132-148.  







* Beisaw, April M. (2016) “Water for the City, Ruins for the Country: Archaeology of New York City’s Watershed.” International Journal of Historical Archaeology 20(3):614-626.









Portland, Oregon watershed







The Tennessee Valley Authority, and its history (written by the agency). You can volunteer as a citizen scientist and assist with archival research on the families affected by the TVA project.







If you wish to do your own poking around the NYC website, https://www.nyc.gov/site/dep/environment/about-the-watershed.page