The Cove River Historical Site

| CRHS - Local Community Open Space |

The Cove River Hisotrical Site at in West Haven, CT is a 15 acre open space park for public use. It is also a perfect location and setting for research and educational activities related to the history of the landscape, its inhabitants, ecosystems and habitats.

In 2003 the city of West Haven bought 15.28 tree filled acres of land resting on the shore of the Cove River for Open Space. The previous owner, Janet Ciarleglio informed the City that Native American artifacts had been found by her grandparents who farmed the land. Over two hundred of them were located at the Peabody Museum, some going back over 5,000 years.

This casual comment was the start of an adventure. The artifacts were viewed at the Peabody.  Nick Bellantoni, State Archeologist, was called in.  He validated that, yes in fact; the site was a great find. The Cove River Site Committee (sub-committee of the West Haven  Conservation and Open Space Land Commission) was started.  Yale University, SCSU, DEP, City Council members and the Peabody came to this site to begin exploring, maintaining and documenting West Haven’s newest treasure.  

There are now in progress archeological, geological and environmental studies going on.  Our plans for the future are to carry on with supervised exploring mostly as an educational site for students of all ages and for adults too.

Cove River in Time....

Come discover the secrets of history.  No books, no pencils, bring trowels and buckets and dig through time. Turn the soil like a page of a book and learn to read the language of the land and water.

Ongoing archaeology studies at the Cove River Historical Site allow opportunities for CT State and University researchers from Yale's PEabody Museum and Southern Connecticut State University to work with local enthusiasts and educators, as well as school children and teachers to learn from the history written in the soils of the landscape. 

• Archaeology Basics.
• Learn the Processes of a "dig".
• The importance of "physical context" or where in the soil.
• Interpreting culture from remains found in soils.

IMPORTANT NOTE!

All digging must be supervised by a member of the Cove River Site Committee.
  • Anyone found digging on there are breaking City regulations and will be dealt with accordingly.  It should be noted that artifacts found and not properly documented are of little value.
All artifacts found belong to the City of West Haven.
This is City Open Space, which means, that all citizens are allowed to walk the land and enjoy the views and the sanctuary of nature.  There is no dumping, or disturbance of the areas being excavated.