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Hopewell Plantation ...

Map of Hopewell Plantation Drawn by Mr. David Watson.

A relatively high amplitude reflector or “Anomaly of Interest” was observed on the 0.6 to 1.0-depth slice (Figure 6).

This reflector could represent the remnants of a chimney or some type of brick or stone pavement. The deep 2.8 to 3.2 foot depth slice shows three linear reflectors extending into Grid 3 from the northwest (Figure 6). These reflectors have reflection characteristics similar to the drain fields of septic systems that we have imaged in the past.

Grid 4 was collected across the mapped location of the office on the northwest side of the house (Figure 7).

Several GPR depth slices were reviewed in an attempt to image remnants the office. A large tree was located in the center of this grid and the disturbance from tree roots makes it difficult to identify remnants of an office building. A rectangular area of lower amplitude reflectors is present in the center of this grid (0.4 to 0.9 foot depth slice on Figure 7). This includes some low amplitude (light blue) reflectors in the corners of this rectangle. This area of lower amplitude reflectors is centered around the large tree, which can produce a similar reflection pattern. A linear set of GPR anomalies is observed on the 1.3 to 1.7 foot depth slice (Figure 7). This anomaly extends out from the northwest side of the house. It is our understanding that the sewer line extends from this side of the house out to the septic system.

Four GPR grids were collected on the lawn northeast of the house. These grids were laid out in this area in order to image the road or entrance drive to the plantation and possible structures along the driveway. The GPR depth slices were reviewed for each grid and one depth slice was selected for a shallow subsurface map of the four grids (Figure 8). Several high-amplitude, linear anomalies extend across the grids and these anomalies are interpreted as utility lines leading to the house. One pair of medium amplitude anomalies forms a path from northeast to southwest (outlined with red dashed lines on Figure 8). This path is interpreted as the entrance drive to the plantation as shown on the historic map. This drive splits into two lanes on the southwest side of Grid 5 (Figure 8). This split in the driveway is shown on the historical map. The approximate location of the slave houses and stables along the driveway can be estimated using the known position of the split in the driveway.

The GPR survey at Hopewell Plantation imaged many of the features shown on the historic map of the property. The privy and smokehouse floor were very distinct features in the GPR data. The approximate location of the laundry and office buildings were identified, but not clearly delineated. Distinct rectangular patterns of anomalies were imaged in the area of the former kitchen. These rectangular patterns in the kitchen area were at an oblique angle to the house. If the kitchen had burnt down and was rebuilt at a slightly different location it could produce reflections that appear at an oblique angle. Recent disturbance in the area of the kitchen, such as the installation of a septic drain field could also affect the continuity of the GPR reflection from the former kitchen. The GPR anomalies identified in the eight grids can be relocated using the GPS locations of the grid corners and the grid coordinates of each anomaly.