Lasallians are encouraged to “Never Stop Exploring,” but few graduates have taken that message as literally as Andrew Zellers-Frederick, M.A. ’10.
Originally from the East Oak Lane section of Philadelphia, his first explorations began during childhood as family day trips to nearby Valley Forge and Gettysburg.
Over the span of his impressive 30-year career, his work has taken him back and forth from Philadelphia, but most recently, he served as Director of the Historic Jamestowne Fund for The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation in Virginia.
Here are five of Zellers-Frederick’s most fascinating finds:
1 The Discovery of Jane
Through a combination of digital and medical technologies, Smithsonian researchers led the effort to create a forensic facial reconstruction based on the human remains excavated in Jamestown, Va. Forensic facial reconstruction image artist: StudioEIS, photo: Don Hurlbert, Smithsonian.
In 2011, Zellers-Frederick was hired to generate support for archaeological programs through a newly created position as the Director of the Historic Jamestowne Fund. During his tenure, rumors of cannibalism that surrounded the historical colonies since settlers arrived in the early 17th century (particularly during the “Starving Time” in the winter of 1609–10) resurfaced once again.
Remains of an incomplete skull excavated in James Fort, Jamestown, Va., provided evidence of survival cannibalism during the “starving time” over the winter of 1609-10 in historic Jamestown. Skull image: Don Hurlbert, Smithsonian
During one of their digs in 2012, Jamestowne Rediscovery Project archaeologists discovered an apparently “processed” human skull indicating survival cannibalism. “This type of news can’t be taken lightly, so I was trained and prepared on how to release the information,” Zellers-Frederick said.
“The leading forensic scientist in the United States confirmed that this was a victim of cannibalism. This was a huge international story.”
2 All Along the Church Tower
One of Zellers-Frederick’s proudest achievements representing The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation was the work done for the iconic Jamestowne Church Tower. The only surviving building from James Fort, the Tower literally had bricks falling from it, so Zellers-Frederick requested that an accurate survey of the structure be completed.
“The damage was a lot worse than we thought,” he said. “The Tower has thousands of original 17th-century bricks, so we tried to save as many of them as possible; however, the Colonial Williamsburg brickyard still needed to produce more than 5,000 of them in the same size and style to complete the project.”
As Phase 1 of the project got underway, hidden artifacts kept emerging from the building. “There is no period image of the Tower, so this was not a restoration. It was about preservation and stabilization,” he said.
3 For Whom the Bell Tolls
In 1983, while working as a National Park Service Ranger, Zellers-Frederick and a colleague came up with the idea to commemorate a little-known date in American history.
“The first public reading of The Declaration of Independence was on July 8, 1776, and every bell in Philadelphia was rung at that time,” he said, “so I thought, could we make that happen again?”
Zellers-Frederick and a co-worker decided to stage the event with a basic grassroots effort. “Every church in the downtown area had their bells ringing,” he said. In fact, the program is still held every year on Independence Square.
4 Gunning for the Constitution
While working on his master’s degree, Zellers-Frederick was assigned to thoroughly research a signer of the Constitution. He chose Gunning Bedford Jr., a controversial figure whose most well-known statement at the Constitutional Convention was the quote, “I do not, gentlemen, trust you.” After completing his research, Zellers-Frederick asserted that, in his opinion, Bedford never would have made that taunting proclamation.
At the urging of History Department Chair Stuart Leibiger, Zellers-Frederick submitted his paper to the Delaware Historical Society’s Delaware History to be published. “I was the first one in the History Department’s graduate program who was published while still obtaining my degree,” he said.
5 An Officer and a Gentleman
Grave markers in the DeBenneville Family Burial Ground. Photo: Ethan Wallace, shadowsandrust.com.
In 1986, Zellers-Frederick happened upon an old, decrepit burial ground on North Broad Street and discovered the 18th-century DeBenneville Family Burial Ground, the last of its type in Philadelphia.
Further exploration revealed the grave of two high-ranking British American Revolutionary War officers. As a personal project, Zellers-Frederick tracked down the person in charge of the yard’s maintenance and worked to organize a commemorative event and rededication ceremony.
“General James Agnew was fatally shot during the Battle of Germantown and was brought back to British headquarters, where he died,” he said. Incidentally, the British set up camp in Grumblethorpe, a mansion owned by John Wister, whose family history at La Salle is extensive.
“Agnew’s bloodstains are still on the floor of the mansion,” Zellers-Frederick said. “The event commemorated the 210th anniversary, and even included a memorial ceremony.”
Read more about Zellers-Frederick’s background in the cultural museum and historical administration field and learn more about other notable alumni of La Salle’s Master of Arts in History program, which celebrates its 10th anniversary this year.