The Summit County Historical Society contracted with SHiP to conduct an archaeological survey in preparation for a new parking lot to be constructed near the John Brown House in Akron, Summit County, Ohio. The goal of the archaeological investigation was to identify prehistoric and historic cultural resources within the project area, and to determine the eligibility of identified resources for the National Register of Historic Places. The project area was approximately 0.88 acres in size, consisting mostly of mowed grass lawn, and an approximately quarter acre fenced garden left fallow. It is located adjacent the historic Portage Path, which was used to transport people and goods between the Lake Erie and Ohio River watersheds.
SHiP conducted a reconnaissance survey of the southern portion of the John Brown House property. Non-invasive metal detection (active) and magnetic gradiometry (passive) geophysical survey techniques were used within the project area. Iron bearing “hits” on the metal detector were ground-truthed with a bucket auger. The bucket auger was also used to systematically survey the project area that was not subject to magnetic gradiometry survey. A total of 40 bucket auger pits and seven shovel test units were excavated within the survey area.
The John Brown House site, 33 SU 693, was added to the Ohio Archaeological Inventory as a result of this survey.
Full report will be uploaded to the Digital Archaeological Record (tDAR) in 2026.
