Weetamoo

Recently, 4th graders from a local school visited the Museum’s Children’s Library and traveled back 350 years: from a thumbnail photograph of a deed on a page in Patricia Clark Smith’s 2011 book, Weetamoo: Heart of the Pocassets to the very real 17th century document, showing the mark made by Wampanoag leader Wamsutta. The class is about to read Smith’s book, a fictional “diary” of a real girl who grew up to be a powerful leader of the Wampanoag during the time of King Philip’s War. Leah Hopkins, a museum educator, who is also a member of the Narragansett tribe, provided more context for the story of Weetamoo, and helped to separate fact from fiction regarding the language and culture of the Native people depicted in the book, then and now. We all learned from this observant group of young students and we hope that we have helped the pages of the book come alive for them.

Meet the Author-Joan Tavares Avant

People of the First Light
Saturday, March 31, 2012, 11 am to noon

Join us in welcoming Mashpee Wampanoag elder, Joan Tavares Avant, known as Granny Squannit, to the Research Library. Talking about her book-a collection of history, stories, recipes, newspaper articles, and more, she makes the stories come alive. We think it’s always a privilege to be able to sit down and talk with an author and this is a rare opportunity to spend time with Granny Squannit and hear her stories. If you love Cape Cod, and you want to learn about the first people who have lived there for years and years, you should come. Copies of her book will be available for purchase. Meet the Author is a free program; please use the Group Entrance in the middle of the building.

Postcards and Ship's Log - What's the Story?

The Archives and Special Collections recently acquired two postcards showing a parade in Stonington,CT circa 1914. The program can be found in the Library of Congress.The participants on the “Tepee” float are named in the program book of the 1914 Centennial Pageant and Parade held to honor the Town of Stonington’s defense against the British during the War of 1812. If you have visited the Museum, you know that the Native people in the area were more likely to be found in a wigwam than a tipi.

Also in the parade was a whaling boat, brought from New Bedford for the occasion. Again Museum visitors will know that Native people were found on whaling ships, according to a variety of historical resources including ships’ logs. A digital copy of the Blackstone Ship’s Log, 1837, was recently created at the Museum to further such research, thanks to the loan of the original, which is permanently housed at the Stonington Historical Society.

Would you like to know more about wigwams, where and how Pequot tribal members lived in the early 19th and 20th centuries, or how they fit into the story of the whaling industry? Visit us!

Meet the Author

Larry Spotted Crow Mann visited the Research Library on Jan 28, and we know some people missed meeting him because it was a snow postoned date. He was excellent, so consider getting his book, Tales from the Whispering Basket. We're hoping that the weather cooperates for our next Meet the Author-Joan Tavares Avant (Granny Squannit). She'll be here on Sat., March 31, at 11 am. Come meet her and buy her book People of the First Light-she will certainly autograph it for you.

Meet the Author this Saturday, Jan. 28

The Museum was closed on January 21-too much snow! Our Meet the Author program takes place this Saturday, January 28, at 11:30 am-12:30 pm. Come meet Larry Spotted Crow Mann (Nipmuc) and talk with him about his book, Tales from the Whispering Basket. Buy a copy from him and get it autographed at his talk.

Larry Spotted Crow Mann

Snow? Maybe this Saturday…we hope not because Larry Spotted Crow Mann (Nipmuc) will be in the Research Library from 11:30 until 12:30 pm, greeting people and talking about his book, Tales from the Whispering Basket, composed of short pieces reflecting his Native roots and family traditions. So if it doesn’t snow and you want to meet him, please come to the first-ever Meet the Author program. It’s free! If the Museum is closed-call 800-411-9671 to check the status-come next Saturday, January 28, same time and place.

Meet the Author: Larry Spotted Crow Mann

Saturday, January 21, 11:30 am-12:30 pm

This year the Research Library debuts Meet the Author, a new program that brings local Native authors to the Museum to discuss their works. We’re pleased that Larry Spotted Crow Mann (Nipmuc) is the first featured writer in the series. His book, Tales from the Whispering Basket, has received praise from readers and reviewers. His stories reflect his Native roots and family oral traditions but also embrace universal themes, with mature content. Spotted Crow has performed here with The Quabbin Lake Singers, and now we welcome him as a writer. Please join us to hear him talk about his book and the inspiration for writing the stories. Buy a copy for yourself or as a gift and get it autographed. In the Research Library, ages 14 and older. Free. Snow date is Jan. 28.