The City Archaeologists started excavating the historic plantations on Shuter's Hill in 1995. Excavation continues to yield foundations and artifacts associated with the colonial and 19th century plantations which once had sweeping views of the Potomac River Valley. Native American artifacts document the use of the site for thousands of years. Archaeology has also provided evidence of Hill's strategic postion during the Civil War. Fort Ellsworth was constructed here by the Union forces as one of the Defenses of Washington.