2nd Annual Native American Heritage Weekend

Putnam County, NY – The Putnam History Museum (PHM) is excited to present its 2nd Annual Native American Heritage Weekend alongside the award-winning exhibition Indigenous Peoples in Putnam County. With grant support from Humanities New York and in collaboration with the Cornell Cooperative Extension Putnam County and Drew Shuptar-Rayvis (Pekatawas MakataweU “Black Corn”), PHM invites the community to explore the diverse history and culture of local Indigenous Peoples from November 1st through 3rd, 2024.

The weekend kicks off on Friday, November 1st with a curator-led history hike through Scenic Hudson’s West Point Foundry Preserve. During this tour, visitors will learn about Indigenous use of the land and waterways for thousands of years. The hike begins at the museum, where guests can explore the Indigenous Peoples exhibition and view artifacts such as projectile points, axe heads, scrapers, and pestles, as well as beautifully crafted replicas, including a dugout canoe, pottery, a deer-toe rattle, and a mortar.

On Saturday, November 2nd, PHM partners with Cornell Cooperative Extension Putnam County for a history hike on Mount Nimham. From its origins as home to the Wappinger people to the construction of the Nimham Fire Tower in 1940 by the Civilian Conservation Corps, Mount Nimham holds layers of history that have shaped the region’s landscape. Led by experts from the Cornell Cooperative Extension, this hike will explore Indigenous history, local heritage, and environmental stewardship. PHM will provide additional context on the significance of Mount Nimham’s namesake, Sachem Daniel Nimham, the last sachem of the Wappinger people.

To conclude the weekend, on Sunday, November 3rd, PHM welcomes Drew Shuptar-Rayvis (Pekatawas MakataweU “Black Corn”) for an immersive presentation on Indigenous daily life before permanent European settlement. Visitors will have the opportunity to handle key artifacts such as bark baskets, stone axes, and animal pelts, while discovering the techniques historians and archaeologists use to piece together an accurate picture of Indigenous culture and traditions.

“Last year’s inaugural Native American Heritage Weekend was a great success, so we’re excited to bring it back for a second year. Throughout the weekend, visitors can immerse themselves in local Indigenous history and explore the places, artifacts, and stories that shape our community’s shared heritage. November and December are the final months to see the full Indigenous Peoples exhibition, but a traveling version, funded by a Humanities New York grant, will be available in 2025,” said Cassie Ward, PHM Executive Director.

For more information and to register for the events, visit: https://www.putnamhistorymuseum.org/events/

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