Check out the Public Archaeology Twitter Conference at #PATC. Below is a transcript of my contribution.
Public Archaeology Twitter Conference #PATC
Title
A paper by Dr. Lisa M. Daly for #PATC
Preserving #Aviation #Archaeology Sites while Engaging in Public Interest: #PubArch
A Discussion with #Gander, #Newfoundland as a Case Study by Dr. Lisa M. Daly https://planecrashgirl.ca #PATC #PubArch
Abstract
Can archaeologists, communities, govs & museums protect #WWII #aviation wrecks & create public interest? A look at efforts in Gander #PATC
Text
Tweet 1
I’m researching #aviation #archaeology in Newfoundland & Labrador; recording & analysing the material culture of #WWII aviation #history #PATC
Tweet 2
My thesis focused on #Gander, the largest airbase in the world in #WWII, main start point for trans-Atlantic travel & a convoy base #PATC
Tweet 3
Due to the air traffic in Gander there were many accidents which remain on the landscape. Those close to the airbase were salvaged #PATC
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As Gander moved, grew & the highway built, more crashes became accessible & have been impacted. Most scrap metal has been removed #PATC
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Interesting objects are usually 1st removed (this machine gun was taken from one of two sites according to owner) losing provenience #PATC
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Sometimes this was done with gov permission (http://bit.ly/2p5nt6I) & sometimes govs ignore warnings about the risk to sites #PATC
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These #WWII sites are at risk and should be preserved but not hidden. A sense of community ownership is necessary for preservation #PATC
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#UASF B36 in Nut Cove is a success story. Trail, picnic tables & memorial make the site useable but little major damage has occurred #PATC
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Can communities, govs, archaeologists & museums save the sites? 1st, they need to work together & have preservation as a common goal. #PATC
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@GAHSYQX @NAAMGander #Gander & I promote history & work to further public interest & appreciation. New signs being developed #PATC
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#Gander community pride is strong, but as recent as 2011 I was told of site looting. Salvager caught, but material no longer in situ #PATC
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If sites are accessible hopefully enough has been done to dissuade people from removing material & will treat sites with dignity #PATC
Acknowledgements
Thanks to @GahsYQX @NAAMGander & @GanderAirport for support in #Gander, researchers M Deal, D Hillier & N Sherren & always @HellTank for help #PATC
References
References & links for this presentation can be found at https://planecrashgirl.ca/2017/04/26/patc/ #PATC #PubArch
End of #PATC Presentation
Image References
Title: Engines from RAF B-25 KJ584 in Gander, NL. Photo by author.
Subtitle: From Cardoulis 1990
Tweet 2: Ferrying routes from ibiblio.org
Tweet 4: USAAF B-17 42-97493 off the Trans-Canada Highway in Gander. Photo by author.
Tweet 5: A machine gun removed from a site in Gander. The owner was not clear what site it came from. Photo by author.
Tweet 6: Top image by Gale, bottom photo by author.
Tweet 8: Memorial at Burgoyne’s Cove for USAF RB-36H 51-13721. Photo by author.
Tweet 10: Faded signs marking where the buildings used to be in Gander. Photo by author.
Tweet 12: USAAF B-17 44-6344 in the Thomas Howe Demonstration Forest. Photo by author.
References
Cardoulis, J. N.
1990 A Friendly Invasion: The American Military in Newfoundland 1940-1990. Breakwater, St. John’s.
Daly, L.
2015 Aviation archaeology of World War II Gander: An Examination of Military and Civilian Life at the Newfoundland Airport. Doctoral (PhD) thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.
Daly, L., & S. Green
2014 Garden Hill: The Crash of a USAAF C-54. Provincial Archaeology Office 2013 Archaeology Review, 12: 22-24.
Gale, F.
1994 Association Wants 1944 Crash Site Preserved. The Western Star, 21 September 1994, p. 3.
Other Relevant Websites
Gander Airport Historical Society @GASH
The North Atlantic Aviation Museum @NAAMGander
