About

Join Lucia Butler and Margaret Dudley, Staff Archaeologists at Red Hill, as they discuss the summer 2025 archaeological excavation of two cabins on Quarter Place.
About the talk:
On Quarter Place, the remains of two log cabins offer a glimpse into the historical landscape of Quarter Place. The cabins’ above-ground stone foundations show where the two 19th-century structures stood side by side for decades amidst the daily lives and work of enslaved and freed African Americans. The eastern cabin, with its stone chimney, was likely built as a living quarter, whereas the original function of the western cabin is less certain. This summer, archaeologists have investigated these Double Cabins to gain a deeper understanding of the structures, the people who used them, and the history of Quarter Place.
About the speakers:
Lucia Butler has worked as a Staff Archaeologist at Red Hill since 2023. She earned her B.A. in Anthropology from the College of William & Mary and her M.A. in Museum Studies from the University of Oklahoma. She has led three archaeological investigations at Red Hill, including at the site of the Quarter Place Double Cabins. Lucia was also a co-Principal Investigator for the Longwood Institute of Archaeology’s 2025 investigation of the Burton Site. She is passionate about learning more of Red Hill’s history and its residents’ stories, as well as sharing the process of discovery with students and visitors.
Margaret Dudley became a Staff Archaeologist at Red Hill in June 2025. She earned her B.S. in Anthropology & Archaeology from Longwood University, taking part in multiple Longwood Institute of Archaeology projects at prehistoric sites. Earlier this year, she served as a Site Supervisor at the excavation of one of the first academic buildings at Hampden-Sydney College. This summer, she led the archaeological investigation of the Quarter Place Double Cabins site. Margaret is passionate about learning more about the residents of Red Hill and getting students, visitors, and volunteers involved in archaeology.