09/04/2026
Congratulations to our former ECU Department of Anthropology Graduate Assistant, Stephen on your new job at Historic Halifax! We're proud to see our students joining the NC Department of Natural & Cultural Resources team!
Welcome Stephen Johnston, Historic Interpreter I, to the Historic Halifax State Historic Site Staff! Here is Stephen's introduction:
I recently earned my master’s degree in Anthropology, with a concentration in Archaeology, from East Carolina University. My passion for archaeology grew through hands-on experiences in the field and laboratory. As an undergraduate, I participated in an archaeological field school at Brunswick Town, where I worked on the excavation of a historic tavern. During graduate school, I completed an internship with the Office of State Archaeology Conservation Laboratory, where I learned techniques for conserving waterlogged wood and developed a strong interest in archaeological artifact conservation.
Before returning to school, I spent more than twenty years working in retail. Making the transition from retail to archaeology has been an exciting and rewarding journey, allowing me to combine my interest in history and material culture with new skills in archaeological research and preservation.
My professional interests include the colonial period in North Carolina and the conservation of archaeological artifacts. I am particularly interested in how archaeological materials can help us better understand the people, places and stories of North Carolina’s past.
