Museum Institute of Conservation Archaeology (MICA)

In 1971 the University Museum established the first separate museum section for historical archaeology in the United states. The American Historical Archaeology Section, was housed in the museum and closely affiliated with the Department of American Civilization. John L. Cotter, National Park Service Archaeologist and Adjunct Associate Professor in American Civilization, was placed in charge of the section which he directed from 1971 to 1979. A broad range of sites in Philadelphia and Eastern Pennsylvania were excavated or tested during his curatorship.

With Cotter's retirement in 1979 the continuity of the section was secured for the first time with a tenured appointment housed jointly in the University and musuem. Robert L. Schuyler joined the Penn faculty as Associate Professor of American Civilization and as the Associate Curator in charge of the section. He continued some local research but expanded the field work onto the national, and eventually international level. Within American Civilization he also established the first PhD Program in Historical Archaeology in America.

The records of the section fall under either general administrative or files listed by specific project site names.

Among the initiatives of the historical archaeology section were the Museum Historic Research Center (MHRC), the Museum Initiative for Conservation Archaeology (MICA) and the Penn Historical Archaeology Fieldschool.

Both MHRC and MICA were conceived as vehicles to attract contracts on local historical projects. MICA was established in 1978 specifically to act as a center for the investigation, preservation and management of historic and prehistoric properties. Specific projects were undertaken starting in 1979. Robert Schuyler became Executive director in 1979 when he assumed the curatorial position. He joined Joseph Hall as Managing Director and John L. Cotter as Senior Consultant. MICA remained active until 1981.

Michael Parrington was associated with the MICA excavations at Valley Forge, Independence Nationl Historical Park, Bartram's Garden, Allegheny Portage National Historic Site (Lemon House), WYCK Mansion, West Allentown-Salisbury Transmission Line and the Siegfried-Steel City Transmission Line.

Parrington was born in England and attained degrees at Oxford and Open Universities before studying Anthropology at the University of Pennsylvania. In England he performed field work at Gloucester, Dorchester, Lincoln and Portchester, among others involving Roman and Medieval sites. He supervised field work on sites at Northwich, Owermoign, Bath and Warham, England.

Parrington taught at Oxford University, Department of Extra-Mural Studies, University of Pennsylvania, College of General Studies and at Rutgers University, Department of Classics and Archaeology. He published numerous articles for scientific journals. Parrington, along with John L. Cotter and Daniel G. Roberts authored

The Museum Institute for Conservation Archaeology (MICA) was conceived as a vehicle to attract contracts for various local historical projects. MICA was established in 1978 however specific projects were not undertaken until six months later in 1979. Robert Schuyler became Executive director in 1979 when he assumed the curatorial position. He joined Joseph Hall as Managing Director and John L. Cotter as Senior Consultant. Projects were sponsored in 1979 and 1980 with the organization dissolving in 1981.

The Museum Institute for conservation Archaeology (MICA) Collection consists of three archival boxes of records. Musch of the original order is maintained as the records were organized by project. The series correspond to the projects with the addition of one folder of administravie materials.

The project data almost always consists of a proposal, correspondnece and a report. Additional items may include drawings, plans, notes and artifacts.

The services provided by MICA for the National Park Service involved four different projects centered around Independence National Historical Park. The records of the Sansom Street Investigation are the most detailed.

Publication Information: University of Pennsylvania: Penn Museum Archives,

Finding Aid Author:

Use Restrictions:

Area F at Independence National Historical Park was the site of work by John L. Cotter. Researchers needing additional information on this site are referred to the Cotter Papers.

Geographic Name(s)

• Allegheny Portage Railroad National Historic Site (Pa.)
• Bartram's Garden (Philadelphia, Pa.)

Personal Name(s)

• Hall, Joseph Hudson, IV
• Parrington, Michael
• Schuyler, Robert L.
• Cotter, John L.
• Biddle, Martin

Subject(s)

• Philadelphia (Pa.). Redevelopment Authority
• Urban Anthropology