Ashley McCuistion

Background

I am a staff archaeologist at the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation with over a decade of experience in the field. Prior to this, I worked at sites like George Washington’s Ferry Farm, Historic Hanna’s Town, Squirrel Hill, Stratford Hall, and Fairfield Plantation. While I conduct a broad range of research in my role at Colonial Williamsburg, my primary interest is interpreting the daily lives of underrepresented communities at colonial sites in Virginia. I have been directing excavations at the Williamsburg Bray School site since 2022, where my research centers on identifying the archaeological markers of childhood and literacy. My goal as an educator is to foster a deeper appreciation for the study and preservation of history and to inspire the next generation to become responsible stewards of the past. One of the greatest strengths of archaeology is its ability to bring history to life and provide a tangible connection to it, and I enjoy developing educational programs that harness that power and engage students in the process of discovering and interpreting the past.

Education

BS in Anthropology, Virginia Commonwealth University

MA in Archaeology, Indiana University of Pennsylvania