From 1988 to 2005, teams conducted extensive archaeological work on site. Their work revealed the location of an ice house behind the smokehouse and hundreds of thousands of artifacts. A brick triplex of cabins that was likely used by domestic slaves and artisans was discovered near the mansion yard. Archaeologists have identified thirteen dwellings used by slaves. Remains of three dug-in-ground pits suggest there were at least two log houses and four brick duplexes. The cotton gin and press were located in one of the cotton fields just beyond the First Hermitage.