Somerset County (NJ) opened the Lord Stirling Manor archaeological site to the public on Saturday, June 21. William Alexander (1725-1783), known as Lord Stirling, was an American general during the Revolutionary War and owned the large estate in Basking Ridge (along Lord Stirling Road). The county is partnering with Monmouth University and Hunter Research to conduct an archaeological field school on the county-owned property for graduate and undergraduate students. The public was able to see the students and researchers working actively across the site.
This year’s trenches uncovered an elaborate drainage system that routed water east from the mansion toward the Passaic River. While not sounding like much, the find helps determine where the main mansion stood in the center of the system facing the river. A 1920s house now occupies the site of the main mansion and sits atop 18th century foundations.
Magnetic surveys were also conducted and may have discovered remains of a large gateway to the estate along Lord Stirling Road. To the west (the rear of the original mansion), researchers found remnants of a courtyard and stable block.
