The Roland Wells Robbins Collection in the Thoreau
Society Collections
Roland Wells Robbins
(1908-1987)
As an
archaeologist, Roland Robbins discovered the remains of Thoreau’s cabin at Walden
Pond in 1945. He excavated it, documented it, and published a book about this experience
entitled
Discovery at Walden.
The Roland Wells Robbins Collection at the Thoreau Institute at Walden
Woods consists of his field notes,
photographs, and other documentation of the Thoreau site as well as other excavated and
restored historic sites throughout the eastern United States. It includes
the following photographs which may be of special interest:
The Man Who
Found Thoreau
Roland W. Robbins and the Rise of Historical Archaeology in America by Donald W. Linebaugh
A
thorough new accounting of the work of the controversial
archaeologist Roland Robbins.
In
The Man Who Found Thoreau Donald Linebaugh presents a succinct,
articulate examination of the work of the pioneering
but controversial archaeologist Roland Wells Robbins (1908–1987) and
the development of historical archaeology in America. In 1945 the
self-taught Robbins discovered the remains of Thoreau’s cabin at
Walden Pond. He excavated the site, documented his findings, and in
1947 published a short book, Discovery at Walden, about the
experience. This project launched Robbins’s career in archaeology,
restoration, and reconstruction, and he went on to excavate at a
number of New England iron works and other sites, including the
Philipsburg Manor Upper Mills in New York, Stawbery Banke in New
Hampshire, and Shadwell, Thomas Jefferson’s Virginia birthplace.
Although lacking academic training, Robbins quickly developed
remarkably sophisticated techniques for the period. However, his
“pick and shovel” methods were considered suspect and increasingly
frowned upon by the emerging American historical archaeological
establishment. As the profession evolved, trained American
historical archaeologists, according to Donald Linebaugh, too
scrupulously wrote Robbins out of the history of their emerging
field. With the help of previously unpublished information, the
author offers a balanced assessment of Robbins and his place in New
England regional history and the history of American historical
archaeology. The Man Who Found Thoreau is a must-read for
scholars, students, and historical archaeology buffs alike.
DONALD LINEBAUGH is Director of the University of Maryland's
Historic Preservation Program and Associate Professor in the School
of Architecture, Planning, and Preservation
but controversial archaeologist Roland Wells Robbins (1908–1987) and
the development of historical archaeology in America. In 1945 the
self-taught Robbins discovered the remains of Thoreau’s cabin at
Walden Pond. He excavated the site, documented his findings, and in
1947 published a short book, Discovery at Walden, about the
experience. This project launched Robbins’s career in archaeology,
restoration, and reconstruction, and he went on to excavate at a
number of New England iron works and other sites, including the
Philipsburg Manor Upper Mills in New York, Stawbery Banke in New
Hampshire, and Shadwell, Thomas Jefferson’s Virginia birthplace.
Although lacking academic training, Robbins quickly developed
remarkably sophisticated techniques for the period. However, his
“pick and shovel” methods were considered suspect and increasingly
frowned upon by the emerging American historical archaeological
establishment. As the profession evolved, trained American
historical archaeologists, according to Donald Linebaugh, too
scrupulously wrote Robbins out of the history of their emerging
field. With the help of previously unpublished information, the
author offers a balanced assessment of Robbins and his place in New
England regional history and the history of American historical
archaeology. The Man Who Found Thoreau is a must-read for
scholars, students, and historical archaeology buffs alike.