In 2023, an archaeological dig on the grounds of the Talbot County Women’s Club uncovered artifacts beneath one of America’s oldest free African American neighborhoods. From a 1794 Liberty Cap penny to pottery shards, marbles, iron nails, and a military button possibly linked to a Buffalo Soldier, these items offer a window into the lives of the families who lived, worked, and built community in The Hill.

The project—led by archaeologists in partnership with local historians and residents—continues the work of preserving and honoring the powerful legacy of The Hill, a place where freedom and resilience took root long before the Civil War.