2026 National Archaeology Educators Conference

Discover the Past of Clotilda and Africatown - Shape the Future of Archaeology Education
17th Biennial Coordinators Conference
July 28-31, 2026
Archaeology Museum
University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL
This year’s theme, Discover the Past of Clotilda and Africatown - Shape the Future of Archaeology Education, invites all archaeology educators including classroom teachers, archaeologists, museum educators, college students, descendant community members, and anyone else who is interested in archaeology education to attend. The story of Africatown inspires us to educate, engage, and unite as a community of archaeology educators to create impactful, collective learning experiences for the public.
The conference is professional development for the Project Archaeology network of state coordinators, master teachers, facilitators, and anyone who is interested in joining us to connect people to the past to protect and honor our shared cultural heritage.
Project Archaeology can help you forge connections to places and people wherever you teach: K-12 classrooms, museums, youth programs, and undergraduate education. We help you deliver high quality archaeology education to your community through curricula, workshops, and lesson presentations. The conference provides professional development through sessions, workshops, field trips, and speakers. There are many opportunities for networking and mentorships. Plus, we connect you with high-quality educational materials!
Networking with peers and mentors makes this conference valuable now and in the future. This year we will focus on discovering the past and shaping the future by visiting Africatown, hearing cultural perspectives, and experiencing hands-on lessons at the USA Archaeology Museum. Scholarships are available, CLICK HERE!
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Mobile - University Area by IHG
- 109 Long St, Mobile, AL 36608
- ~$130 per night
- Booking Link
Hampton Inn & Suites Mobile Providence Park/Airport
- 525 Providence Park Dr E, Mobile, AL 36695
- $119 per night plus tax (NAEC Discounted Rate)
- Booking Link
Holiday Inn Mobile Downtown Historic District
- 301 Government St. Mobile, AL 36602
- $129 per night plus tax (NAEC Discounted Rate)
- Booking Link, ***Available until June 30
A QUICK LOOK IS BELOW, CLICK HERE TO OPEN THE FULL AGENDA PDF
July 28, 2026 7:00 – 9:00 pm
- Opening Reception
July 29, 2026 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
- Opening Session
- Concurrent Sessions
- Project Archaeology Coordinator Meeting
- Introduction to Project Archaeology
- Keynote Speaker on Africatown Archaeology
- Literature Circle – Barracoon by Zora Neale Hurston
July 30, 2026 9:00 am – 2:00 pm, 4:00 – 8:00pm
- Bus Tour of Africatown Heritage Sites
- Africatown Heritage House
- Brand new Welcome Center
- Clotilda Exhibition
- Africatown Cemetery
- Mary’s Southern Cooking
- Elders in Every Classroom Panel
- Dinner Reception
July 31, 2026 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
- Concurrent Sessions:
- Workshop: Project Archaeology: Investigating Shelter; Investigating a Shotgun House
- Elders in Every Classroom Program Planning
- Afternoon Sessions
- USA Archaeology Museum Activity

The USA Archaeology Museum showcases artifacts from the Gulf Coast and covers over 12,000 years of prehistory and history. Artifacts are contextualized using a series of life-size scenic representations depicting archaeologists at work and glimpses into the ways of life of ancient Woodland cultures, mound-building Mississippian peoples, early French settlers, and an African American family after the Civil War.
Details
- Start: July 28 @ 7:00 pm
- End: July 31 @ 4:00 pm
- Cost: $250.00
- Event Category: NEAC
Organizer
- Courtney Agenten
- Phone 406-600-9401
- Email courtney.agenten@projectarchaeology.org
Venue
- Archaeology Museum University of South Alabama
-
6050 USA Drive South
Mobile, AL 36688 United States + Google Map
