Patrick Harshbarger is named Vice President of Hunter Research

Hunter Research is pleased to announce the promotion of Patrick Harshbarger to Vice President.  Patrick joined Hunter Research five years ago as Principal Historian/  Principal Architectural Historian. Over this time, he has ably directed the firm’s historical research, architectural surveys and interpretive planning projects.

Patrick brings over 25 years of experience to his new role.  He is well-versed in cultural resources management and the federal, state and municipal regulatory contexts necessary to meeting our client’s needs.  He has a strong background working with museums, historic sites and non-profits, particularly in the areas of interpretive planning, exhibits and collections management. Patrick has specialties in industrial archaeology and historic bridges.

As Vice President, Patrick will have greater involvement in the day-to-day management of the company. He will also take on expanded responsibilities for the development of new projects and proposals for our clients.  

Hunter Research looks forward to Patrick’s leadership in his new role.  Please join us in congratulating him.

Dr. Ian Burrow receives the Richard J. Hughes Award

Ian Burrow

Hunter Research congratulates Ian Burrow on receiving the 2015 Richard J. Hughes award from the New Jersey Historical Commission.  This is given in recognition of his contributions in the areas of scholarship, public history, conservation and preservation, and teaching.

On June 19, 2015, Dr. Ian Burrow officially retired as Vice President and Principal Archaeologist at Hunter Research after almost 30 years of extraordinary service in the cultural resource management industry. Ian is now focusing his energies on national policy and advocacy issues in archaeology and historic preservation, and on teaching. 

Hunter Research Identifies Foundation of 18th-century New Brunswick Church

Archaeological Monitoring at the 1st Dutch Reformed Church of New Brunswick 

In 2013, as the Town Clock Community Development Corporation prepared to redesign the 1st Dutch Reformed Church of New Brunswick as a multifunctional community complex featuring supportive housing for victims of domestic abuse, site preparation work was accompanied by an exploratory archaeological investigation along the exterior of the west end of the existing circa 1811-1812 church.  From that initial work, an archaeological monitoring program was developed and begun in January 2014 to monitor the complex excavation taking place both along the exterior and interior of the State and National Historic Site Registered structure. We are excited to report that the truncated foundations for the previously unknown location of the circa 1767 church that once stood on the property have been identified within the existing church’s footprint. 

Interpreted east wall of the original 1767 church uncovered during excavation.

Excavations conducted on the interior of the 1812 church are conserving the historical integrity of the church's exterior.

Data gathered from this monitoring program indicates the smaller earlier structure measured approximately 55 feet north to south by 50 feet east to west.  Evidence also suggests the south and west walls of the earlier church were reused in place and built-upon during the construction of the early 19th century church.  Several episodes of robbing from the earlier foundation would seem to indicate stone and other material were extracted and reused as the footprint of the standing church was expanded to the north and east.  Work remains ongoing at the site, with monitoring being conducted by Joshua Butchko. 

For more information, check out Dina's Dwellings by the Town Clock Community Development Corporation