Annual Three-Day Native American “Digging Through History” Program
Chautauqua-Wawasee and Syracuse-Wawasee Historical Museum are collaborating to offer the fourth annual series of programs that explore the local history of northeastern Indiana. The series offers three FREE programs, September 12-14. The September 12 and 13 programs are being hosted at the Syracuse Community Center, while the September 14th program will be outdoors at WACF’s Ruddell Pavilion. Each program features presenters with expert knowledge and provides an interactive environment for discussion and hands-on examination of artifacts.
Trevor Tipton presented here in 2021, and returns on Thursday, September 12, to discuss “Tools and Weapons of the Indigenous Peoples.” (6:30-7:30 p.m. at the Syracuse Community Center)
Have you ever wondered how mankind survived thousands of years ago? What animals did they hunt? How did they kill their prey? What tools were used by prehistoric man? This will be the focus of Trevor Tipton’s presentation. His artifact collection, found mostly in Noble County, will be on display. Attendees will be able to handle weapons from centuries ago.
Then, on Friday, Dr. Mark Schurr, a professor in the Department of Anthropology at the University of Notre Dame, will speak on the topic “Archaeology of the French in Northern Indiana – Does it Exist?” (6:30-7:30 p.m. at the Syracuse Community Center)
The first historical record of the French presence in northern Indiana dates to 1679 when Réné Robert Cavalier, Sieur de Lasalle traveled along what is now the St. Joseph River to the Kankakee River using the portage in South Bend. However, the French established only one permanent settlement in the northern
Indiana (Fort Miami in what is now Ft. Wayne). Very little archaeological evidence is available about the French presence in the region. Historic records and a few site investigations show what kind of evidence we should look for if we want to document evidence of French activities in northern Indiana, including in
places like Kosciusko County.
On Saturday, September 14, seven individual activities and experts share information on what life was like back in the 1800s. (10:00 a.m. – Noon, WACF’s Ruddell Pavillion)
These include a demonstration of the Atlatl tool, flint knapping, and presentations by a 1754 French Marine, Indiana Department of Natural Resources Archaeological Division, metal detecting, and others. With so much to see and do, this Saturday program has been incredibly popular with children and families.
