Archaeology

The Grove is an active archaeological site managed by the State of Florida. Laws prohibit disturbing archaeological features and artifacts found at The Grove and on all state lands in Florida.

Please DO NOT pick up or disturb any artifacts you may see on the ground. Instead, call 850-363-5688 and we will share with you information about the site's history and archaeology.

Artifacts excavated from the historic cistern at The Grove included a dog tag belonging to Joseph C. Azat, who trained as a pilot at nearby Dale Mabry Field during World War II. The dog tag, likely lost by Azat during a social event at The Grove in 1944 or 1945, was later returned to his family by the Department of State. Photos courtesy of the Florida Bureau of Archaeological Research

Historic-period ceramics are commonly found on the grounds at The Grove, including fragments of blue willow plates. These common tableware plates are found on many sites similar to The Grove. Varieties found at The Grove date from the mid-1800s to the early 1900s. Photo courtesy of the Florida Bureau of Archaeological Research

Left: fragment of pitcher found at The Grove that features Scottish poet Robert Burns' character Tam O'Shanter. Archaeological surveys to date at The Grove have only recovered small pieces of the pitcher, which dates to the period when the Call family first inhabited the property in the 1820s. Right: the intact pitcher, a regular item featured at antique auctions. Photos courtesy of the Florida Bureau of Archaeological Research