Existence and Location of Copies

Alexandria Archaeology has photocopies of this collection.

Preferred Citation

John K. Pickens Papers, MS057, Alexandria Library, Local History/Special Collections, Alexandria, Va.

Biographical / Historical

John K. Pickens, Alexandria lawyer and city councilman, was instrumental in beginning formal archaeological studies in Alexandria. The studies began in the mid-1960s, under Richard (Dick) Muzzrole of the Smithsonian Institution. In 1975, the Alexandria Archaeology Commission (the AAC) was formed with John Pickens as chairman. Following Muzzrole's resignation as City Archaeologist in December 1975, the AAC began a search for his replacement.

Content Description

The collection contains organizational records of the Alexandria Archaeological Commission as well as correspondence with the Smithsonian Institution prior to the 1975 formation of the Alexandria Archaeological Commission. Clippings, research notes and archaeology notes are included as well. Topics include: formation of the Alexandria Archaeology Commission, archaeological digs along King Street, research on the Henry Piercy family, and area merchants.

Arrangement

The collection is divided into the following series: Series I: Organizational Records (1964-1976) - Chronological by year Series II: Clippings (1958-1976) - Chronological by year Series III: Archaeology notes - Alphabetical by topic Series IV: Research - Alphabetical by topic Series V: Subject File - Alphabetical by topic Series VI: Correspondence - Alphabetical by writer and then chronologically within each Series VII: Printed Matter - Chronological by year Series VIII: Miscellaneous Series IX: Photographs

Related Material

Restricted subseries of correspondence.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

• Alexandria Archaeology
• Archaeology -- Virginia -- Alexandria.
• Muzzrole, Richard
• Piercy family
• Virginia -- Genealogy.