The Mohican Indians, an Algonquian people, were Rensselaer County's first inhabitants. It was Mohicans who first warmly greeted the Dutch explorer, Henry Hudson, when his ship ran aground on Upper Schodack Island in 1609. At that time a Mohican village was located on land now part of Schodack Island State Park. In commemoration of the Mohicans, a special program will be held there.
Location
Date and Time
Saturday, June 11, 10 AM - 2 PM
Cost
There will be no cost for the program, but attendees will be required to pay the standard applicable park vehicle access fee (currently $6.00).
Information
The program will feature four presentations and a short hike featuring views of the Hudson River. Participants will be given free handouts, have time for lunch and an opportunity to speak with the presenters.
Presenters
- Shirley W. Dunn,
local historian and author of two works on the Mohicans, will speak on the history of the Mohican nation.
- Stephen K. Comer,
Rensselaer County resident and enrolled member of the Stockbridge-Munsee Band of Mohicans, will speak on the current activities of the Mohican nation.
- Warren F. Broderick,
local historian, author, and Mohican descendent, will speak on identification of Native American sites in Rensselaer County.
- Jennifer Lee,
re-enactor and material culture presenter of the native Northeast, will demonstrate historic Indian clothing, baskets, and music.
This is a joint program of the Schodack Island and Grafton Lakes State Parks, Native American Institute of the Hudson River Valley, and the Rensselaer-Taconic Land Conservancy.
Contact
For additional information call Warren Broderick at (518) 235-4041, Melissa Wright at (518) 279-1155, or e-mail Warren Broderick or Melissa Wright. To help locate the State Park call the Park office at (518) 732-0187, consult their web site, or e-mail Park Manager Robert Taylor.
The illustrations reproduced here are courtesy of Warren F. Broderick, Shirley Dunn, and Jennifer Lee.
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