Archaeological Discoveries at Bridgewater Port to be Discussed at Open House

Bridgewater, ME — U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) Field Operations Facilities Program Management Office plans to host an Open House at the Bridgewater Civic Building, 399 Main Road, Bridgewater, Maine on Tuesday, Oct. 25 from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. The Northeast Archaeology Research Center will present their findings from a Native American encampment and a 19th century mill hamlet discovered at the CBP Bridgewater, Maine land port of entry (LPOE).

The Bridgewater LPOE was originally constructed in 1975. Since then, there have been limited renovations, and a modernization project for the facility is currently, funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, is currently underway to meet modern operational, safety and technological requirements. Key elements of the Bridgewater LPOE modernization project include inbound and outbound lane systems that support inspection technologies..

Through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, Congress appropriated $420 million to the Department of Homeland Security for the modernization of CBP-owned LPOEs. This funding is supporting the replacement and modernization of 35 ports of entry along the Northern and Southern border of the United States, including the Bridgewater LPOE. Construction of the Bridgewater LPOE began in May 2011 and is expected to be complete in fall 2012.

During tomorrow’s Open House, attendees will have an opportunity to discuss the artifacts with representatives of the archaeological team. Interested parties are encouraged to come at any time during the two-hour event to learn about the historic findings, and to present their questions and comments to the team.

For more information about the ARRA funded CBP modernization projects, please visit the attached sites cbp.gov and recovery.gov.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation’s border at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.