In April 2004, Erin May of Preservation Studio South contracted the author concerning an architectural assessment and rehabilitation of the historic Spencer Marsh House in Lafayette, Walker County, Georgia. As part of their project, Ms. May and lead architect Andy Smith were interested in establishing the archaeological context of the surrounding yard at this site, and they requested input from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Institute of Archaeology. After visiting the site, it was decided that the UTC Archaeological Field School would conduct a preliminary survey of a portion of the yard during the first week of May. Fieldwork occurred on May 5 and 6, 2004, with artifact analysis and report preparation occurring at the UTC Institute of Archaeology Laboratory on May 7 and May 8 and June 4,5 and 6. Eight students under the direction of Dr. Nicholas Honerkamp participated in the fieldwork.
The Spencer Marsh House, located in the center of downtown Lafayette at 308 Main Street, is owned by the Walker County Historical Society. The Civil War Sites Assessment for Walker County, Georgia states that the house was built in 1836 by Spencer Marsh.
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