The bright, "Join Hands With the Past" poster serving as our advertising centerpiece generated many enthusiastic comments. I was surprised to discover that this colorful VAW '95 poster even still hangs in bookstores such as Annie's Book Stop in Rutland and the Vermont Book Shop in Middlebury. Approximately 80 events were listed in last May's VAW Calendar of Events, many of them specifically organized by our imaginative archeological community to take place during the outreach week. Eight participating libraries and bookstores also collated pertinent archeology week exhibits. We joined over one in eight Vermont towns with their past during VAW '95, from Burlington to Sheffield.

We produced 7,000 free Calendars of Events, 2,500 each Archeology Through Libraries and Archeology and Education, 1,000 "Join Hands with the Past" posters, and 200 bumper stickers (minimal charge). Stacks of calendars and a copy of the poster were forwarded to libraries, museums, schools, some Vermont welcome stations, the VAS society spring meeting, all VAS members, and VAW '95 event hosts for distribution to the general public. Event hosts also received a VAW '95 packet containing public relations information, advertising flyers, archeology week newsletters, the VAS Newsletter, VAS membership brochures, upcoming field school flyers and other materials relevant to Vermont archeology. These materials were permanently displayed at most events.

Vermont Archeology Week cost approximately $6,000, the majority of which was funneled through the VAS (rather than VDHP) coffers. VAW '95 netted just over that amount, mostly subsidized by contributions from CRM firms, the spring VAS auction, various historic and preservation groups, and Vermont utilities. This figure does not include critical in-kind services from the VDHP and other agencies that helped maintain our phone and mail communications, distribution postage, graphic design, and copying facilities. Approximately 15 volunteers have provided hour estimates (perhaps 25% of all significant volunteers). Volunteer estimates totaled 691.5 hours, at an estimated monetary contribution of well over $15,000.

What return do we see for our time and effort? Statistics have been compiled from event evaluation forms distributed with event host packets; 24 events were evaluated (30%). Approximately 757 event attendees were reported on the returned forms, and state archeologist Giovanna Peebles conservatively estimates there were over 1200 direct participants in VAW '95. Almost all the official comments on forms included an audience response of "great," "very positive," "enthusiastic" (one "enthusiastic despite rain"!), and "please do it again." Only one slated event failed to materialize. Lack of other event failures, good attendance at most events, and high audience enthusiasm at all the other activities we can attribute to not only the helpful hosts and public oriented speakers, but behind the scenes quality control and enthusiasm on both the calendar and publicity fronts.

Some of the more dramatic successes of VAW '95 included Vic Rolando's plethora of industrial archeological tours (one guaranteed to open in a community near you!), "Excavations at the Caledonia County Courthouse - St. Johnsbury's First Cemetery" (so many people showed, 150 counted, that they had to quickly move the venue across the street to a bigger building), and the very popular and educational panel discussion "Petroglyphs in Bellows Falls" (boasting standing room only). However, even events attended by a handful received rave reviews. I think that the collective success of VAW '95 hinged on our ability to bring an activity or presentation to a given community that was relevant to that community. Our formula for successful future outreach events should factor in inspiring local involvement in planning and presenting archeological programs.

In just a few years, we have traveled a road from a grand idea to an even grander realization of our dreams. Vermont Archeology Weeks have become high quality public outreach events the equal of those in any state. This is a vital effort in a state where heritage tourism and preservation of the past is an economic resource. We have helped many thousands of us "Join Hands with the Past," raised a general public awareness about local archeology (it doesn't just take place in Egypt!), increased the media coverage of our activities, enhanced the quality of public archeological events, and contributed dramatically to information available at a local community level. We owe each other a standing ovation for our time, expense, and efforts. Keep up the good work!

Kathleen E. Callum
GEOARCH, Inc. RR 2 Box 2429-1
Brandon VT 05733
TEL: (802) 247-8127
FAX: (802) 247-0107