Announcing the PAT GARROW Archaeology Lab Campaign

Public Archaeology Corps (PAC), with the Garrow family, wish to announce our funding campaign for the re-establishment of the Public Archaeology Corps’ Pat Garrow Archaeology Lab. In February 2026, PAC lost the use of our donated Lab space in downtown Wilmington to renovation and development. We had to move thousands of artifacts and equipment from our donated Lab space into temporary storage until we can find a new donated space to house our on-going research activities. All lab work stopped.

Patrick H. Garrow, pioneering American historical archaeologist and leader in Cultural Resource Management (CRM), served as volunteer director of the Public Archaeology Corps Lab, and he supervised the custody, care, classification, and cleaning of more than a hundred thousand Wilmington artifacts for archival storage by PAC members and hundreds of volunteers. Pat passed away on August 18, 2026. He had spent countless hours looking for financial assistance for the re-establishment of the PAC archaeology lab facility. He wanted to continue his and the organization’s work and dedication to save archaeological resources and thousands of artifacts—to contribute to the understanding of the material culture and early history of Wilmington. It was Pat’s hope for a new lab to be supported and established within the Wilmington community.

WHO WE ARE AND WHAT WE DO

Public Archaeology Corps (PAC) is a Wilmington-based all-volunteer 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded in 2013 of professional archaeologists, historians, and private citizens united in their interest in archaeology, history, and concern over the rapid loss of archaeological sites on private land. While public lands are subject to preservation laws, private lands often face destruction due to rapid modern development. Our mission is to save archaeological resources, through public education, student outreach, and the careful excavation of sites that maybe lost to such development. PAC currently has 60 members (paying yearly dues) and 704 individual volunteers. We offer opportunities for volunteers to be involved in an active excavation site under the direction of professional archaeologists. This approach allows volunteers to directly discover lost history, to preserve Wilmington's cultural heritage, and to enrich the future of our community. PAC is the only local organization directly excavating and preserving archaeological sites on private land—an area often overlooked by traditional preservation efforts.

HOW TO DONATE

Your support to continue this volunteer work on behalf of Wilmington is critical. Tax deductible donations are accepted at: https://givebutter.com/pat-garrow-archaeology-lab-campaign-lz20i2 The Givebutter app was designed specifically to help non-profit organizations raise funds, manage donors, and build long-term relationships with their supporters.

WHAT YOUR DONATION WILL ADDRESS

Our funding campaign is for the re-establishment of the Public Archaeology Corps' Pat Garrow Archaeology Lab. Funding will be used to assist with space rental or purchase, set-up expenses, plus moving costs. Public Archaeology Corps (PAC) is a Wilmington-based all-volunteer 501(c)(3) non-profit organization – with no paid officers, board members, organization members, or volunteer members.

MEDIA INFORMATION

Public Archaeology Corps website: https://publicarchaeologycorps.org

PAC in Need of a Lab: https://youtu.be/t9fSxYuHJ8Q

360 Video of PAC excavation: https://youtu.be/aCSHgnpKyJ0

WECT / Spotight: https://www.wect.com/2025/06/12/digging-up-history-historic-downtown-wilmington/

WECT / PAC scrambles to find a new home: https://www.wect.com/video/2026/01/07/public-archaeology-corps-scrambles-find-new-home-after-deadline-vacate/

WWAY / In need of lab space and temporary storage: https://www.wwaytv3.com/wilmington-archaeology-lab-finds-temporary-storage-seeks-permanent-home/

WWAY / Marines Volunteer with PAC: https://www.wwaytv3.com/marines-help-dig-up-history-with-the-public-archaeology-corps/

WHY THE PAST STILL MATTERS

Understanding Wilmington’s past—from its Indigenous roots and colonial beginnings to the city it is today—helps us better understand our community and the choices that shape its future. When Public Archaeology Corps uncovered Wilmington’s long-lost Rock Spring, once a vital source of drinking water, we found more than a forgotten historic site. PAC uncovered a connection to the people who lived, worked, struggled, and built their lives here centuries ago.

That is what archaeology does. It makes invisible history visible again. Every artifact and discovery can reveal another piece of Wilmington’s story—from its Indigenous roots and colonial beginnings to the lives and labor of enslaved people and the generations who shaped the city that followed. But once these places and artifacts are lost, their stories can be lost with them.

PAC works to ensure that doesn’t happen. Through archaeology, preservation, education, and public outreach, we bring these discoveries out of the ground and back into the community where they belong. A new archaeology lab will give PAC a home to preserve artifacts, study discoveries, teach volunteers and students, and share Wilmington’s history for generations to come. History doesn’t just live in books. It lives beneath our feet.

Together, we can honor that history and bring Pat Garrow’s dream for a new Archaeology Lab to fruition.

TOGETHER, WE CAN PRESERVE THE PAST AND ENRICH THE FUTURE

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT

Pat Garrow Archaeology Lab Campaign