From reality television shows to scientific documentaries to museum exhibits – we are fascinated by stories of people unearthing the past. Archaeology is full of detective stories that capture our imagination.
The Bucks County Free Library has great resources to fuel your search for discovery and your need for knowledge. Dig deep into our programs and collections for your Summer Quest adventure – and reward yourself by claiming your Aspiring Archaeologist badge!
Here are some fun ways to earn this limited-edition badge with your family this summer:
Activities for children:
- Pick up an Aspiring Archaeologist take-home activity bag at your local branch library and make your own, miniature dig site! This week only, while supplies last.
- Join us for Archaeology Trivia through Zoom on Tuesday, July 6 at 1:00pm.
- Complete three of the challenges on the Aspiring Archaeologist badge activity list, found on Beanstack or in your local branch library.
- Attend an in-person, outdoor program themed to the Aspiring Archaeologist badge at one of our branch libraries:
- Doylestown – Junior Archaeologist Field Training – Tue., July 6, 10:30-12:30
- Perkasie – Amazing Badge Challenge – Thurs., July 8, 10:00-6:00
- Quakertown – Summer Quest Story Walk – Fri., July 9, 10:00-5:00
Activities for adults and families:
- Visit a historic site or museum with archaeological exhibits. Some in Southeastern Pennsylvania include:
- The Mercer Museum in Doylestown, PA displays artifacts and information about Lenape culture in Bucks County.
- Pennsbury Manor in Morrisville, PA is a reconstruction of William Penn’s home on the Delaware River. Archaeologists conducted excavations here between 1932 and 1936, prior to the reconstruction of the house. You can see some of the artifacts they found in the “Seed of a Nation” exhibit.
- Playwicki Farm in Lower Southampton Township may have been the site of a Lenape village. You can visit a historic marker there that tells about it.
- The Penn Museum in Philadelphia is home to over a million artifacts and archaeological finds from Africa, Asia, the Americans and the Mediterranean – even a sphinx!
- Look for articles about history and archaeology on Flipster. Try National Geographic, National Geographic Kids, Scout Life, or Old House Journal.
- Visit cloudLibrary for lots of great books and audiobooks about history!
Ready to dig in? Find a full list of badge challenge activities for preschoolers, school age children, teens, and adults on Beanstack, or visit your local branch library to pick up a paper challenge list and a reading log. Once you’ve earned your Aspiring Archaeologist badge, visit any branch library to claim your cloth patch, and proudly display it on your backpack, book tote, or wherever you’d like!
Emily K. and Mary Catherine B.
