Saturday, September 8
Coastal Ecology and Beachcombing
Discover the abundant resources that Native people have relied on for thousands of years during this beach walk at Bluff Point State Park in Groton. The shoreline and Long Island Sound provide a bounty of clams, mussels, crabs, lobster, and many fish species for people to harvest and admire. Museum Head Curator Stephen Cook leads this two-hour adventure in search of coastal resources and discusses how they were used. Meet at Bluff Point at noon, limited to 25, call 800-411-9671 to register and for directions, $12/$10 for Museum members.
Saturday, September 15
500-Year-Old Canoe’s Museum Debut
Help unveil this ancient, 18-foot dugout canoe that was rescued from the bottom of a Connecticut lake and preserved by the Museum. Join MPMRC Head Conservator Doug Currie and underwater archaeologist David Robinson as they introduce this rare artifact to the public, discuss how it was saved from deterioration and detail the research that was done to determine its origins. Fashioned from a large American chestnut tree, the canoe was probably sunk during the late fall some 500 years ago to preserve it from drying out until springtime, when indigenous people would re-float their watercraft. It was never retrieved, however, and remained submerged until 1989. Originally it was given to the Peabody Museum of Natural History at Yale University, which donated it to the MPMRC in 1996. It has been undergoing extensive conservation since then to prevent it from drying out and crumbling. It will eventually be on display in the Museum’s permanent exhibits. The event is from 1 to 3 pm in the Gathering Space and the Auditorium, free with Museum admission, free to Museum members.
Saturday, September 15
Hooking & Cooking Blues & Stripers
Join Museum Head Chef (and avid fisherman) Steven Betancourt and Head Curator Stephen Cook to explore the wide wonderful world of Bluefish and Striped Bass: where to catch them, how to cook them, what wines to imbibe with your entrée, and how they thrive in nearby waters. Chef Steve demonstrates his favorite way to prepare fresh fish and Curator Steve discusses how early colonists learned about these tasty, abundant species from Native peoples. The two Steves tell a good Fish Story, from natural history to fine dining, and even have some smoked Bluefish for you to try. From 1 to 2:30 pm on the Museum Terrace, $25/$18 for Museum members, limited to 30, call 800-411-9671.
Thursday, September 20
Educators Open House – Cultural Responsiveness
Hear Keynote speaker Dr. Cornel Pewewardy (Comanche) address the importance of culturally responsive education at the Museum’s Fall Open House for educators. The Open House is from 3 to 5 pm and Dr. Pewewardy’s presentation is from 4 to 4:30 pm. Educators meet the Museum’s education staff, learn about our programs and tours and take their own guided tour of the exhibits to see how they can incorporate a visit to the Pequot Museum into their class curriculums. Refreshments are served and goody bags given to the first 50 to RSVP. The open house is free, but reservations are required: please call Kathy at (860) 396-6839.
A strong advocate of acknowledging the legitimacy and dynamics of diversified cultural heritages, Dr. Pewewardy is the founding principal of two award-winning magnet schools in St. Paul, Minnesota and has won numerous awards, including Outstanding Scholarship in American Indian Education and the Kemper Fellowship for Teaching Excellence. He also was a 2006 Harvard School of Education Fellow for the Tribal College Leadership Development Project. A gifted musician, he is currently the tribal administrator for the Chukchansi Indians of California.
