Lake George Plate—Mystery Solved!

Earlier this summer, JPPM intern Sharon Osofsky studied artifacts from a mid-19th century privy in Baltimore. One interesting artifact tossed into the privy pit was a white earthenware plate printed with a scene of Lake George, New York (Figure 1). The back of the plate had a mark (Figure 2) that indicated that it had been manufactured by the British pottery firm of William Ridgway and Company.

Intern Spotlight

This summer, we welcomed intern Drew Karnoski to the conservation department of the MAC Lab. Drew is currently earning his Bachelor of Science degree in conservation of objects in museums and in archaeology at Cardiff University, a leading research university located in Wales. Prior to his arrival here, Drew worked on the conservation of Roman iron artifacts and post medieval shoe leather, and he dabbled in FTIR spectroscopy. Drew came to the MAC Lab to learn conservation in a practical working environment, and that he did. The conservators at the lab were happy to teach him treatments for a wide variety of archaeological materials and to offer him the opportunity to work with our staff in the lab and in the field to further his education. Drew was a pleasure to work with and we wish him well in his future studies!

Drew (2nd from right) with MAC Lab conservators and Navy
divers at the site of the Scorpion, the Chesapeake Flotilla’s
flagship, which fought in the War of 1812.

Treating a historical monument in Havre de Grace.