East Lyme — An upcoming archaeological survey of the Samuel Smith Farmstead on Plants Dam Road could help a local group piece together the history of the house, which dates back to the 17th century.

The town is receiving a $9,650 grant from the Connecticut Trust for Historic Preservation. It will be matched by a Certified Local Government Grant through the State Historic Preservation Office to conduct the survey, according to the Friends of the Samuel Smith House.

"I'm very, very pleased that we have the opportunity to do this to further the information of the past that we are trying to learn about so we can educate the public," said Marvin Schutt, president of the Friends group.

The Phase II archaeological survey and architectural research project will better pinpoint the exact dates of the 17th-century house and its 1730 and 1812 additions, according to the proposal by the Public Archaeology Survey Team Inc. These dates are "conjectural."

"Archaeological investigations on selected areas around the house could significantly enhance the understanding of the construction sequence and add a wealth of knowledge about the daily lives of the occupants over time," the proposal states.

Bette Mahon, co-chair of publicity and chair of membership for the Friends of the Samuel Smith House, said the survey will help as the group puts together a history of the house and depicts the three different eras it represents.

"It's exciting for all of us," Mahon said about the survey, which is slated to begin in August. "We have opened up Pandora's Box — in a good way."

Public Archaeology Survey Team is proposing to unearth artifacts that may have been buried on the property during construction.

The proposal explains that objects also can be found in the soil, because people would toss their trash out of doors and windows during the colonial period.

"Often, the recovered artifacts can be associated with specific families (by date) and can be used to literally set the table of the house's residents over time, and reveal information about clothing, children's play areas, and foodways," it states.

"This kind of information significantly increases and enhances the story of the house, and provides critical data for accurate reconstruction of the house history and interpretation for the visiting public," it says.

The proposal also calls for an architectural historian to study the structure.

The Samuel Smith House is on the National Register of Historic Places. The survey will help provide data to see if the house's archaeological site also specifically can be listed on the register, according to the proposal.

The Phase II survey follows a Phase I survey of the property that was completed last year.

Luane Lange, chair of the town's Historic Properties Commission, said by email that the recent grant provides funds "to continue the investigation of primary archaeological sites found on the Samuel Smith property last year, and to research the architecture and ownership of this 1685-1812 home." 

"This kind of investigation is so important when beginning the historical preservation of a newly accessed historic property," Lange added. "It sets the basic 'credentials' for what the property historically is, how it will be preserved, used and exhibited into the future. It is a wonderful gift for future generations."

k.drelich@theday.com