Archaeology Blog
From Student to Intern
This summer, Nicole Finnigan (Catholic University ’25) joined us as our 2025 Summer Research Intern. We were so excited to have Nicole help teach and oversee students for this summer’s work at the Jefferson-era Quarter Site. At the conclusion of her internship, we asked her to reflect on her summer and her career progression as an archaeologist.
By: Nicole Finnigan
Hello, my name is Nicole Finnigan, and I am a graduate student at the College of William and Mary, pursuing an M.A. in Anthropology with a concentration in Historical Archaeology. In 2023, I attended Poplar Forest’s archaeology field school, where I worked on the 1857 Slave Dwelling Project. Recently, I was invited back as the Archaeology Department’s Summer Research Intern to work with the 2025 field school on the new Quarter Site project.
Working at the Quarter Site was a different experience for me. It allowed me to gain a deeper appreciation for the idea that archaeology is not just about finding cool artifacts. Working at the Quarter Site allowed me to witness a heavier focus on archaeological features, like the remains of plantings, and their meanings. While the remains of a garden planting may not be as visually appealing as a plate fragment, what it can reveal about the lives of the people who lived at the Quarter Site is just as important. Additionally, my experience over the past two months has helped me to gain confidence in my skills both as an archaeologist and as a leader. Being able to help teach the students about archaeology and getting the chance to watch them improve throughout the field school was a wonderful experience. I also enjoyed being able to talk with the students and learn about what made them interested in archaeology. Talking with them and seeing their excitement improved my already deep love of the field.
Working with the students at the Quarter Site was not the only highlight of my time at Poplar Forest. Having the opportunity to work with the staff in the Archaeology Department was amazing. They all proved to be wonderful mentors who both encouraged me to step out of my comfort zone when it came to talking with the field school students and always answered my questions about the field and lab aspects of archaeology. I enjoyed my time at Poplar Forest with both the students and the staff, and I believe that my experience will continue to stick with me as I continue with my studies into my career.
