The following is a press release from the National Park Service.
INDEPENDENCE, CA — Manzanar National Historic Site’s award-winning public archeology program provides exceptional opportunities to learn about the past and help preserve the site and its stories for the future. From March 27 – April 1, 2019, volunteers will have the unique opportunity to assist the National Park Service in uncovering and stabilizing Manzanar’s historic camp hospital and Childrens Village areas.
Medical care in camp was administered in primitive barracks before the government built a 250-bed hospital in 1942 to care for more than 10,000 people. In 16 connected buildings, the hospital housed operating rooms, laboratories, a pharmacy, dental and eye clinics, and a morgue.
The Children’s Village was home to 101 children and the only orphanage in the ten camps where the U.S. Government incarcerated over 120,000 Japanese Americans. Nearly half of these children had been brought from West Coast institutions and foster homes. Others were temporarily separated from families when their parents were arrested or became ill, and some were infants born out of wedlock. These children were nurtured by a dedicated Japanese American staff and others, becoming a unique wartime family.
Volunteer positions are available to anyone age 15 and over who is physically able to work outdoors and participate in moderately strenuous activities. Volunteers will be digging with shovels and small hand tools, raking, operating wheelbarrows, screening sediments to retrieve artifacts, and taking notes or filling out forms and labels. Previous archeological experience is helpful, but not necessary. Most of the work is physically demanding, but there will be a variety of tasks each day to suit different interests and energy levels. Volunteers simply need an interest in history and a willingness to get dirty.
The work will be conducted outdoors, regardless of weather, from 7:45 AM to 3:45 PM daily, including the weekend. Volunteers may work any number of days or hours, but a full day or multiple days are preferred. Please bring water, lunch, work gloves, and be sure to wear sunscreen, a hat, and sturdy boots. Please also bring any necessary medications. Advance sign-up is required as this project is limited to 25 participants per day.
For more information and/or to sign up, please contact Manzanar’s Cultural Resources Manager Jeff Burton at (760) 878-2194 extension 3305, or send an e-mail to jeff_burton@nps.gov.
Manzanar National Historic Site is located at 5001 Highway 395, six miles south of Independence and nine miles north of Lone Pine, California (see map below). Learn more on our web site at https://www.nps.gov/manz or on our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/ManzanarNationalHistoricSite.
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To download a printable flyer, click here (PDF; 833 KB).
LEAD PHOTO: Volunteers dig out a Block 14 basement at Manzanar. National Park Service photo.
Manzanar National Historic Site via Google Maps
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Manzanar Committee 
I would like to know if this will be happening next year.
They been held a couple of times each year, but we can’t say for sure.
It’s interesting being an arachaeologist assistant. Look forward to participate someday.