Historical Research

Archaeological Research

Aboriginal Layer

Initial steps have been taken to develop a shared approach with the local First Nations communities to understanding and interpreting the aboriginal history and significance of the site. The existing archaeological evidence shows a long pattern of inhabitation, due in part to its strategic location at a portage route from the Niagara River up to the plateau. The site offers the opportunity for an approach to archaeological research based on First Nations interests and values, and the theory and practice of such an approach is currently under discussion. Community involvement in archaeology has been part of Willowbank’s mandate since its inception.

A Tale of Many Occupants: Archaeology at Willowbank

Penny Young, Willowbank Archaeological Field Director

Welcome to Willowbank – a National Historic Site of Canada. What is listed below briefly summarizes the thousands of years of history that surrounds this magnificent property. Multiple archaeological excavations have been conducted on the Willowbank property and these provide us with the information outlined below.

The Niagara Region has long been a gathering place for people. Willowbank is located at the top of a hill above the lower Niagara river in one of the oldest settled areas in the province, a location with strategic advantage, which attracted settlement and land use through time – both as the head of navigation on the lower Niagara River and as a point where a native trail following the base of the Niagara Escarpment crossed the Niagara River.

The property has archaeological components representing over 9,000 years of human habitation. To date, two archaeological sites separated into seven clusters or site areas have been located at Willowbank and they comprise about one third of the property. These various sites represent the sucessive generations of Willowbank inhabitants and display the transition in the use of the land from early native fishers/hunters, to native settlers who may have subsisted as early farmers, to the arrival of the Europeans and the War of 1812 and all of the activities at the once bustling wharf at Queenston.

Here is a brief description of what we know of the two registered archaeological sites outlining what their possible function was or “site type” and the date, where possible, associated with each cluster:

Willowbank Estates site – AhGs-34 

Cluster A – Campsite dating to roughly 9,000 years ago

This cluster of material appears to be an Early Archaic period temporary campsite identified by a Side Notched Horizon projectile point. Over 1,100 pieces of chipped stone tool materials were located here. Virtually all of the specimens are Onondaga chert likely quarried in the Fort Erie area. Seven musket balls and one gunflint were also recovered.

Cluster B – Ritual use site dating between 3,000 to 2,000 years ago

This site location represents a Terminal Archaic or Early Woodland occupation. It is a location with a large concentration of burnt biface or knife fragments suggesting an area of ritual activities. In addition three musket balls were recovered here.

Cluster C – Precontact findspot from 1,000 years ago or earlier

Two pieces of precontact chipped stone tool material were found here.

Cluster D – European deposit of materials dating to approximately 1870s onward

This cluster of material is one of the four concentrations of European or Euro-Canadian artifacts. It had a large sample of material that was dated roughly to the third quarter of the nineteenth century. There was a tremendous amount of butchered animal bone located here suggesting that it was perhaps a dump location of kitchen material.

Bright-Urban component – European deposit dating to the early part of the nineteenth century/Late Woodland/Transitional Woodland precontact period – 1000 to 1400 years ago

A large area was excavated over many years during Archaeology Days and by the students of the School at this component of the Willowbank Estates site. The Bright Urban component is located on lands inherited by Alexander Hamilton, the 13-plus acre tract adjoining the ‘tannery lot’ where the Willowbank mansion was erected, acquired from his father’s estate in 1824.

A great number of artifacts date from the early settlement era of the Queenston area and many pre-date the construction and occupation of the current Willowbank mansion. 

The tremendous quantity of window glass fragments and architectural remains, such as early wrought iron nails, perhaps suggest that this site component represents the remains of the earlier Hamilton home, prior to the construction of Willowbank. However, the analysis and site interpretation is still underway and it is too early to know. Further excavation may be required to answer this question.. It is a remarkable site with components dating from earliest native times, to later precontact periods around the time of the introduction of pottery in Ontario, to evidence of War of 1812 skirmishes, to finally a rich Euro-Canadian assemblage containing at the more mundane end of the spectrum - domestic ceramics, building materials, horse hardware and at the other - fine glassware, delicate Staffordshire figurine sherds. 

Hamilton-Jarvis site – AhGs-45 – mid-nineteenth century European material/Woodland period roughly 2000 years ago and onwards.

This portion of the property was likely inherited by Alexander Hamilton from the trustees of his father’s estate, Robert Hamilton, in 1809 and appears to be what is called the ‘tannery lot’. Newspaper accounts and local knowledge suggested that the Queenston Post Office, one of the earliest in Upper Canada, was located along the eastern edge of the property (Queenston Road) in the late 18th and early 19th century.

Unfortunately it is not clear from the archaeology whether or not the Hamilton-Jarvis site was the location of an early post office. However over 330 native and Euro-Canadian artifacts were located during the excavation.