Robert J. Burgess

            Robert J. Burgess is an archaeologist. He specializes in a variety of things including western military history, arms, accoutrements and related technology of the Indian War (1860-1890) and Civil War (1861-1865) eras. He has studied the technological evolution of the firearm (1842-1957), northern and northwestern Great Plains prehistoric cultural evolution, including stone tool, ceramic and bone tool studies, and also in the role of regional history in enhancement of community tourism and historic sites.

            Burgess earned his Bachelors Degree in Anthropology from Mankato State University in 1973. Later in 1979, he obtained his Masters Degree in Anthropology from Colorado State University.

            Currently, Burgess is the museum director of the Brown County Historical Society in New Ulm, Minnesota. Here, Burgess uses his archaeological knowledge to plan and design new displays. Then with the help of many volunteers Burgess prepares the display for the public. Burgess states, "The best part of my career is setting up the displays and getting them ready for the public viewing." Burgess likes to plan the displays around area events to keep it at a community level. He has also done several seasonal displays, such as baseball during the spring season. In 1995, he organized an array of World War II memorabilia with a special personalized touch. The most recent display Burgess was setting up was a display called 'Rivers, Roads, and Rails.' Burgess feels the best way to understand anthropology is by getting a hands on approach. During my interview, I had the opportunity to volunteer with Burgess to help set up a display and get in touch with the anthropology field myself.

            Burgess has plenty of other aspects in his career that keep him busy. He has written several publications including Prehistoric Subsistence Activity within the Owl Canyon Pinyon Grove: An Archaeological Perspective, which he wrote in 1989. He also writes many mass media articles, press releases and promotional brochures for many events, tours and other activities. In 1991 he produced and directed the video Civil War Rifle Video. This video discusses the evolution of firearm technology and is used in some school outreach programs like the one in Kansas.

            Burgess is very active in the anthropology field and likes to keep the community involved as well. Through his career and publications, he continues to bring many different aspects of the archaeological field to his community and surrounding areas.

References:

Burgess, Robert J., In-person interview, 16 September 1999.

Krzmarzick, Pam, (Brown County Historical Society, New Ulm, Mn), telephone interview: 354-2016, 10 September 1999.

Office of Alumni Relations, (Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado), telephone interview, 14 September 1999.

Written by: Jill Borth