Sassafras NRMA (Archaeology & Knock's Folly) - PQ

Knock's Folly

Archaeological dig

learning the difference between
fossils and artifacts

Today our Park quest took the kids and I to visit the Sassafras natural resources management area. This quest was designed to teach us about archaeology &paleontology. We learned about the different tools used in digs & excavations, and we also learned about the three "horizons" (levels of soil) and the possible things you would find in each.

The "dig" was set up in three boxes, each box was designed to match one horizon. In the first box, the kids found several "modern" items, such as rusty tin can, hinge, old nails,glass,  bones. These items were in tact, and easier to find. In the second box, the kids found an old wooden pulley, a very old iron spike, an axe handle, more bones. These items were a little "harder" to find -- less items in the box, signaling the increasing rarity at this horizon. The third box contained items like arrowheads, pottery pieces, and also bones. We only found 5 items in this box and only 2 were intact! all of these items were things that were likely to be found in this area. Hundreds of years ago, this land was a shipping port & a town, and previous to that it was inhabited by native American tribes.

Inside of a tree

We also had the opportunity to check out the almost 300 year old Knock's Folly home, once a part of the shipping port & town in this area.  The kids loved exploring the very old historical building and garden. We got lucky, Knock's Folly is typically only open on weekends -- we were here on a week-day. But there happened to be some rangers...?? (we are unsure who they were they were not wearing uniforms... but they had access to the building and appeared to be doing work in there on a project of some sort!) So, we got lucky and got to wander around the interior on our own, completely uninterrupted -- on a day that it was not open to visitors!

This Natural resources management area contains a pond, hiking, biking, & horse trails & also allows hunting. It rests on a flat area of beautiful, open farmlands. A nice reminder of our rural homes in Colorado! Were it closer to where we live it might be a place we would visit again to try out a few trails, but it's not on our 'must see again' list.

Turner Creek, view from Knock's Folly

Our passport rubbing!

 And for our memories the original park quest posting:

History, Can You Dig It?

Introduction To Quest

Your Park Quest Adventure at Sassafras Natural Resources Management Area (NRMA) will have you discover the history of the Turners Creek Area. Through a pretend archaeological dig and answering a series of questions about your finds, you will learn about the various inhabitants of this area and how they made a living.

Quest Information

The Park Quest Adventure at Sassafras NRMA is at Knock’s Folly Visitor Center, a majestic historic house. While at Knock’s Folly, teams will journey through time like a modern day Indiana Jones as they unearth artifacts through their pretend archaeological dig. As teams dig through different layers of earth, they will be looking for evidence of human and natural life. (Please note that you will be digging through sand, and do not need clothes to get muddy.) To receive credit for this quest, teams must have in their passports a rubbing of the medallion on the door of Knock’s Folly and an answer to a particular question. The quest may be completed seven days a week from 8 a.m. to sunset, and should take about an hour.

Want a little more adventure? Dip nets will be available for teams to visit the freshwater pond, located near the main parking lot at Sassafras NRMA. Teams will be able to try their hand at catching frogs, fish, dragonflies and other organisms. Identification guides will also be provided to help you learn about your finds.

For teams to make the most of their trip, they should visit on Saturdays or Sundays when the Knock’s Folly Visitor Center is open and staffed from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Staff members will be able to assist you with your quest. Also, on the first and third Saturdays of each month, the Kent Museum, an easy walk or drive from Knock’s Folly, will be open from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. The Museum has historic farm equipment on display, and there is no admission fee to the museum.

You may print your questions out before you arrive at Sassafras, or you may pick up questions in a box by the dig site.

Print your Sassafras Worksheet here.

There is no cost for visiting the park. Pets are permitted as long as they are on a leash.

Park Information

The Sassafras NRMA was established in 1996 when the Department of Natural Resources purchased nearly 1,000 acres along the Sassafras River and Turners Creek. Turners Creek County Park has been a local access point to the river for many years and has a unique history as well. There are over seven miles of trails to explore the Sassafras NRMA, providing you with impressive views of the river area. For fishing enthusiasts, there is a freshwater pond and the Sassafras River. Wildlife is plentiful and visitors often see Bald Eagles, herons, deer, waterfowl and a variety of song birds.