The Friends of Pine Hawk Programs presented with support from the Acton Memorial Library and Freedom’s Way National Heritage Area.
Events are free but require registration HERE. Questions? Email friends.of.pinehawk@gmail.com
Stone Prayers: An Update to the Inventory
Thursday, October 15, 7PM – Acton Memorial Library
For more than a decade, Prof. Curtiss Hoffman has investigated the thousands of enigmatic stone monuments scattered throughout the woodlands and fields of the eastern United States and Canada. Regional descendant Indigenous communities identify these structures as “stone prayers”—sacred sites that deserve protection from encroachment and desecration. Hoffman will share the latest findings from his continuing research which extends his landmark 2018 book Stone Prayers. His research, conducted at the request of the Narragansett Tribal Medicine Woman and with the approval of the United South and Eastern Tribes, Inc., documents compelling archaeological and environmental evidence supporting the Indigenous origin of many of these monuments.
Exploring Ceremonial Stone Landscapes
Saturday, October 24, 10 AM – Noon, Upton, Massachusetts walk, in person only
Peppercorn Hill was once marked as an “Indian Establishment” on a map from the 1800’s. There are many stone groupings and other features to explore in the landscape. The walk will be led by Cathy Taylor, an Upton resident, who for over 25 years has been studying ceremonial earth and stone sites identified by Tribal Historic Preservation Officers. This will be a 2-hour, level walking hike. Please wear suitable clothing. The walk is free, but pre-registration is required. Details will be emailed to registrants a few days in advance. Limited to 15, all ages welcome with adult supervision.
The Big World of New England’s Native Americans
Tuesday, October 27, 7 PM, Acton Memorial Library, in person only
From the Paleoindian period, beginning almost 13,000 years ago, to today, New England’s Native Americans have participated in many social networks throughout the continent. Robert Goodby, an archaeologist and Professor of Anthropology at Franklin Pierce University, will present “The Big World of New England’s Native Americans”. He will focus on the evidence for long-distance connections among Native communities over time, looking at evidence for sharing of technological traditions, religious practices, raw materials, and economic strategies, some of which spanned the continent or extended all the way down the Atlantic Seaboard from Maine to Georgia.
Ceremonial Landscapes and the Algonquian Calendar
Thursday, November 5, 7 PM at the Acton Memorial Library, in person only
Ceremonial Landscapes mark key events such as annual fish-runs, planting and harvesting corn, storytelling, and maple syrup gathering. The night time sky’s celestial patterns are encoded in stone features. Cathy Taylor, a former member of the Upton Historical Commission’s endeavor to save the Upton Stone Chamber, will talk about these features. As an Upton resident she has explored and observed local ceremonial landscapes and calendar events closely over the years. She is a former board member of the New England Antiquities Research Association (NEARA) who writes articles, leads walks, and has worked to map and preserve sites identified by Tribal Historic Preservation Officers.
Community Service Day
Sunday, November 8, 1-3 PM, in person only
Help remove invasive plant species and clean up the trail at Nashoba Brook Conservation Land’s Trail Thru Time, a multicultural heritage trail in North Acton. Local Scout troops are also invited to join. The Town of Acton will supply all tools needed. There will also be an optional brunch beforehand at 11:30 AM at the Blackbird Café on Great Road. Event details will be emailed to registrants a few days in advance. Limited to 25, ages 13+.
The Algonquin Atlantic
Tuesday, November 10 at the Acton Memorial Library
Over the past two decades, documentary film producer Ted Timreck has presented to Friends of Pine Hawk audiences more than any other speaker. Rather than show a finished film, Ted will present the early phase of a still-developing research project. In the tradition of his “Hidden Landscapes” video series, this project will highlight new developments in the discovery of Native American Ceremonial Landscapes in the Northeast. Rather than offering definitive conclusions, he will present multiple lines of evidence that suggest promising directions for further investigation. A Peabody Award winning director, Ted Timreck has been associated with the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History for over 45 years.
Fish Weir Creation Event
Sunday, November 15, 1-3 PM, in person only
Curious about how fish was harvested thousands of years ago using natural materials and the flow of brooks and tides? Come to NARA Park in North Acton with the whole family and participate in building a fish weir, a fence-like structure of intertwined wood and brush used by early Native American people to catch fish.
The activity will be led by Ian Bergemann, Acton’s Open Space & Trails Manager, with guidance from Strong Bear Medicine of the local Nashoba tribe and Littleton historian Dan Boudillion. Details will be emailed to registrants a few days in advance. Limited to 35, all ages welcome with adult supervision.
Boxborough’s Beaver Brook Valley Preserve (Esker) Presentations
Saturday, November 21, 10-11AM, a talk at the Sargent Memorial Library
The presentations at this event will describe some of Boxborough’s pre-history and will also provide helpful context for those who also sign up for the George Krusen Memorial Boxborough Esker walk at 1PM later that day (see event 9 below). Geologist Britt Argow will discuss not only how the local landscape developed over millions of years but also how Boxborough’s esker was sculpted much more recently in the last Ice Age. Local historian and author Brent Ranalli will provide an overview of the local Native American cultural history – especially the critical contact period when Europeans arrived three centuries ago. Rita Grossman, the Boxborough Conservation Trust’s president, will note how George Krusen’s efforts were key to protecting this significant geological feature from being fully excavated for gravel to build I-495.
George Krusen Memorial Beaver Brook Valley Preserve (Esker) Walk
Saturday, November 21, 12:45- 2:30PM, A walk on the trail on the Boxborough’s esker
George deeply appreciated both the natural beauty and geology as well as the Native American imprints still present on the land in our region. You can experience some of both of this walk. Geologist Britt Argow will note significant geological features throughout the walk. Brian McClain of the Friends of Pine Hawk will point out possible Indigenous stone structures, including some described in the landmark book Manitou. PLEASE NOTE: Key details, including preparation and where to meet for the walk, will only be emailed to registrants a few days in advance. This trail walk involves climbing steep terrain. The walk is for ages 13 and up and is limited to 20 participants.
Raindate: Sunday, November 28 at 1 pm.