Friday, March 23, 2018

"Let the Landscape Speak" - Doug Harris lecture(s)

Via Bob Ferrara and The Friends of Pinehawk:

You are invited to “Let the Landscape Speak - the importance and meaning of the indigenous ceremonial stone landscape”.
Wednesday, April 4 
7-9 PM at Discovery Museum, 177 Main Street, Acton    
or
Thursday, April  5
7-9 PM at Volunteers Hall, Harvard Public Library, 5 Pond Road, Harvard




Featured speaker:  Doug Harris, Deputy Tribal Historic Preservation Officer, Narragansett Indian Tribal Historic Preservation Office.  The indigenous ceremonial stone landscape is of cultural significance to the tribes of the northeast.  Mr. Harris will explain why these ceremonial features should be preserved, and what to do if you would like to help protect this important landscape.

Here is the Acton poster, followed by more background on the talk.
The forests of New England are dotted with living prayers of stone (Ceremonial Stone Landscapes) created by the Indigenous peoples of this region. The traditional belief is that these stone structures were placed to create and restore harmony between human beings and Mother Earth. The prayers they embody continue to live as long as the stones are kept intact.

The Indigenous Ceremonial Stone Landscape surrounds us in New England, often hidden in plain sight in the forests and fields. Most people who come across enigmatic stone structures don't know that some are remnants of a network built by Indigenous Americans for ceremonial and other purposes.

Doug Harris, Deputy Tribal Historic Preservation Officer for the Narragansett Indian Tribal Historic Preservation Office will give an illustrated talk about the various forms of ceremonial stone landscape in our area and how local residents can help preserve them.  Doug Harris has been Tribally certified in the identification of ceremonial stone features for 16 years.   

This free program will be presented on April 4th from 7-9pm at the newly refurbished Discovery Museum at 177 Main Street, Acton, MA. Light refreshments will be served.  Ample time will be provided for questions about structures audience members know of. The program is most appropriate for children from 12 years and adults.

This presentation is supported in part by a grant from the Littleton Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency. This program is cosponsored by three local all-volunteer organizations - Acton Conservation Trust, Littleton Conservation Trust, and the Friends of Pine Hawk, a regional archaeology focal group residing at the Acton Memorial Library

Cheers, Bob Ferrara

Member & Founder, Friends of Pine Hawk
10 Wachusett Drive, Acton MA 01720
978-263-8642 (H), 617-513-9355 (cell)

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