Despite the incoming rainy weather, the Fairfield Foundation held the grand opening of its Fairfield Archaeology Park on Friday morning.

The site of the 1694 manor house that gave the Fairfield Foundation its start sits on the banks of Carter Creek in Gloucester. A new protective structure built over the ruins makes it easier to interpret the property to the public while excavations continue within the house footprint.

The dedication opened with a performance from The Fifes and Drums of Yorktown before emcee Rebecca Guest, Fairfield Foundation volunteer and Membership Coordinator of the Mariners’ Museum and Park in Newport News, took the stage.

“We are all stewards of the community through your leadership,” said Guest about co-directors Thane Harpole and Dave Brown.

“We’re excited to see their vision come to fruition,” said Pastor E. Randolph Graham of the First United Baptist Church, about Harpole and Brown.

After Graham’s prayer and remarks, Deacon Kelvin Forrest of t...