Fort King National Historic Landmark Announces Opening of Archaeology Center
Post Date: 09/23/2020 12:05 PM
OCALA, Fla. (Sept. 23, 2020) – The Fort King National Historic Landmark, 3925 E. Fort King St., announces the opening of its Archaeology Center Friday, Oct. 2.
The Archaeology Center showcases artifacts found on-site at Fort King. It offers education about the archaeological process that took place for the re-creation the Fort King replica and future projects like the blacksmith shop. The Center also features new artifacts that have never been seen by the public and were discovered during the blacksmith shop excavation. New exhibits are planned quarterly.
The Archaeology Center will be open Fridays and Saturdays from noon to 5 p.m. Due to the COVID-19 concerns, capacity will be limited to five visitors at a time and all guests must wear a face covering and adhere to a physical distance of six feet apart. To tour the Archaeology Center, guests should check in at the Fort King Visitor’s Center.
“We are excited to offer a further look into our local history at Fort King,” said Keifer Calkins, Historic Resource Program Supervisor, City of Ocala. “Archaeology has been a fundamental part of constructing the fort and will continue to shed historical light on our plans for future projects. Archaeology is the backbone of re-telling the story of Fort King.”
For a complete list of events and additional information, visit www.fortkingocala.com or call the City of Ocala Recreation and Parks Department at 352-368-5517.
About Fort King National Historic Landmark
Fort King is a 40-acre National Historic Landmark home to a life-size reconstruction of the fort and block houses that served as the location that ignited the Second Seminole War in the 1830s. Today, the reconstruction of Fort King serves as an ongoing exploration of Ocala’s past. On site is the Fort King Visitor’s Center, offering displays and artifacts that help bring history to life; the David Laffey Heritage Garden, a teaching garden that is open to the public year-round; a mile-long hiking trail with interpretive signage detailing the history of the land; and the Daughters of the American Revolution memorial site. Fort King is owned jointly by the City of Ocala and Marion County with funding assistance and support from the Fort King Heritage Association. For more information about Fort King, visit www.fortkingocala.com.
