Aquia Study to Center on Old River Wharf, Parkland

Stafford, Va. –– Work has begun on a project to preserve the site of one of the first naval battles of the civil war.

Residents last night filled the seats inside Stafford County’s Board Chambers to learn more about what archeologists and divers are planning to do as part of a $77,000 grant-funded study of Aquia Landing Park.

It was there between May 29 and June 1 first federal ships bombarded Virginia troops during one of the first naval battles of the War Between the States, said project archeologist Joseph Balicki.

During the battle, what is now the tip of Aquia Landing Park was a river wharf where rail passengers would transfer to ferry boats to continue their trip north on the Potomac River to Washington. There was no direct rail link to the capital city.

“I’m looking for the history of the area and the how the land has changed over the years,” said Balicki.

While he will study the land looking for civil war-era fragments, possibly older items left behind from the Patawomeck Indians who once lived along the shores of the river, others will be in the water looking for remnants of the old wharf.

At low tide, those who visit the beach at Aquia Landing can see the remnants of wooden beams that Balicki says once supported the wharf. There’s also evidence of an old civil war fort there.

Drivers from the Historic Maryland Trust, another agency in addition to Balicki’s John Milner Associates that will be working together on the study, will use ground-penetrating radar up to 2,500 feet off of the shore line to see if they can find old buildings.

There is also the chance they may turn up old, unused explosives from the civil war era, said Balicki. If they do, the explosives would then be handled by a professional bomb squad.

Aquia Landing Park, separated from Widewater State Park by Aquia Creek and the Potomac River, has seen much erosion in the last 200 years, said Balicki.

The beach at Aquia Landing is man-made, and archeologist will not use heavy equipment to dig under those portions of the park.

A final report about what is found there and how to best preserve the area is due out by the end of May, just in time for the 150th anniversary of the battle.

Anyone who has old civil war relics collected from or near the site is encouraged to contact Balicki directly by emailing jbalicki@johnmilnerassociates.com or by calling 703-354-9737.

Any items that are uncovered at the site will later be sent to Richmond for storage and care and will then be loaned back to the county,” said Stafford County Tourism Manager Margaret Clay Moncure.