What is known as a peaceful place in Fort Edward is being uncovered for history.
Archaeologist David Starbuck and his volunteers, some from SUNY Adirondack, are carefully unearthing the past on Rogers Island in Fort Edward. During the 1750s, the area was known as the third largest city in America, as soldiers would stop here while doing battle in the North Country.
"Thousands of soldiers camped here, and they had Robert Rogers and Rogers' Rangers. This was the chief base camp of the rangers during the French and Indian War," said Starbuck.
David Starbuck was part of a team in the 1990s that uncovered huts and the first smallpox hospital in America on the island, digging through feet of river dredge.
"We had to bring in bulldozers to push it all away and get down to this surface," said Starbuck. "This island is very different. Everything has been removed, and we're just above the French and Indian War everywhere behind me."
Now more than 15 years later, they're back after receiving permission earlier this year from its new owners, the town and village of Fort Edward -- bringing new faces and a range of backgrounds like college student Jesse Zuccaro.
"History teaches you the big picture like all the rich guys, but [with] archaeology, you get down to the regulars, the everyday life of the average person," said Zuccaro.
Findings so far include musket balls and buttons, along with animal bones, likely the soldiers’ dinner. Every item is tagged and bagged for future research, with hopes to tell those stories with walking trails and exhibits on the island in the future.