Saturday, September 30, 2017

Rediscovering Settled Life Along the Connecticut River Before European Settlers


Dr. Jess Robinson, Vermont's state archaeologist, presented to a "full house" on September 26 in Lower Waterford at the Davies Memorial Library. He spoke on "The Early Native History of the Upper Connecticut River," including projected images of sites and artifacts, as well as historic details. The first half of the talk involved the Connecticut River locations he and other archaeologists have explored, looking for information to accompany the oral histories of tribal life in Vermont. Then he showed details from Lake Champlain sites (especially Swanton and Alburg, as well as South Burlington), where Abenaki settlements clearly thrived in complex and long-term forms.

Archaeology and ethnohistory details multiplied with audience questions, information from local residents, and additions from visiting archaeologists Peter Thomas (now residing south of the state line but continuing to learn and write about Native American presence, especially about the Sokokis) and Frank Cowan (of Canaan, VT).

Dr. Robinson is both a scholar and a "public archaeologist" -- someone who shares information with the community and also relies on community input. His talk began with sites north of Lower Waterford along the Connecticut River, then worked more or less south. Here are some of the details he mentioned:

* A project ongoing at the Lancaster (NH)-Guildhall (VT) bridge, where hearth (cooking area) and other materials were found that date back six thousand years.

* The Canaan (VT) bridge site, where evidence of early inhabitants had been "capped" (covered over) by material deposited during flooding -- which protected the evidence during later development. Among the evidence recently found is a nut processing site of Native American residents.

* The Carson Farm site in Newbury, where people lived 2550 years ago, connected to the long-term settlement known as Koas / Coös. At this site were found pieces of pottery of the type known as Vinette I vessels, which were made and used in "early to mid" Woodland culture. (See a recent summary here of Vinette I.) Here is a Canadian example of such pottery:
Vinette I pottery fragments; image courtesy of the Canadian Encyclopedia.


* Petroglyphs (drawings made in stone), both the well-known ones at Bellows Falls and some recently rediscovered ones where the West River meets the Connecticut River, under the water, witnessed by a diver.

* Windsor: A Skitchewaug site that dates from the late Archaic (about three thousand years ago) until "first contact" (of European settlers with Native Americans).

In addition, Dr. Robinson discussed corn kernels found in different locations, dating the use of corn as a staple food instead of just an occasional item, and the introduction of beans in the region. Until about a thousand years ago, Native Americans in our region were hunter-gatherers; corn took on cultural importance as larger, more settled villages formed (usually not year-round). This led to mention of a recently discovered set of three sites on the Otter Creek (Middlebury area), where corn was found -- and then to images and explanations of other sites along Lake Champlain and the St. Lawrence River.

Discussion afterward included hopes of locating any records remaining of a site exploration in the early 1970s in McIndoe Falls (a village of Barnet), and mention of early contact in town histories and journals.

The Waterford Historical Society hosted the presentation as part of Vermont Archaeology Month, and with respect for those who lived in this region for thousands of years before the era of written European-style records that form much of our known history. For more recent information specific to our region, consult Trudy Ann Parker's book Aunt Sarah: Woman of the Dawnland.


Thursday, September 28, 2017

Clarence Priest Donates Fire Department Albums to Historical Archives

On September 26, Clarence Priest, Jr., left, of the Waterford Fire Department, donated the albums he has maintained of the volunteer fire company's history from 1985 to 2015, to the Waterford Historical Society.

The Waterford Historical Society Board of Directors (from left, Clarence Priest, Jr., and then the WHS Board: Helen Pike, Tanya Powers, president Donna Heath, Craig Brown, and front, Lynn Troy; not present, Roberta Smith) is storing the albums in the town vault. This winter during its "work meetings" the historical society will merge what it already had with what Priest personally maintained for 30 years before his retirement.

The group is very excited and appreciative about this major addition to the archives that record the history of the Waterford community. Thank you, Clarence Priest!

Monday, September 18, 2017

State Archaeologist to Speak in Waterford, September 26


State archaeologist Jess Robinson will speak on Tuesday September 26 at 6:30 p.m. at the Davies Memorial Library, 111 Lower Waterford Road (across from the Rabbit Hill Inn).
            Robinson’s talk is part of Vermont Archaeology Month and presents an overview of early Native History of the Upper Connecticut River and adjacent areas, focusing on early and overlooked documentary and archaeological evidence.
            There will be time for questions. The Waterford Historical Society, host of the event, will also have related displays to examine.
            The Waterford Historical Society aims “to discover and preserve whatever relates to the history of the Town of Waterford and surrounding communities, for the use, education, and enjoyment of present and future generations.”
            The event is free and open to the public, with limited handicap access. Contact the library director at 802-748-4609 or e-mail WHS president Donna Heath at toughy2017@gmail.com.