Take a trip back in time before Henry Hudson and the Half Moon anchored in the Hudson in 1609, to a time when the east bank on the Hudson River Valley was inhabited by the Lenape People and a band of Native Americans called the Wappingers, sometimes known as the “River Indians”. The Wappingers, a group of Munsee-speaking Delawares, farmed in the valleys, hunted in the forests and swamps, and gathered shellfish in the Hudson estuary. Native Americans roamed the forests and woods in the land that would become Putnam County. It was a time when Native Americans would create stone structures in the woods of Putnam County for reasons that independent researcher Rob Buchanan, will discuss in person at the Putnam History Museum located at 63 Chestnut Street in Cold Spring, and also online via Zoom on Friday June 21st from 7:00 pm – 8:15 pm. Then, on Saturday, June 22nd, Rob will lead a 2-hour hike visiting some of these actual structures in the woods and hills of Putnam County. Attendees may also have the opportunity to see the mysterious Stone Chambers of Putnam Valley.

Rob Buchanan has been identifying potential Native American stone structures in the woods of Putnam County for many years. On Friday, June 21st, he will speak about and show many examples of these unique stone structures, sites, and landscapes. He will also discuss the threats facing these stone structures and the efforts to preserve them. On Saturday, June 22nd, the day after the presentation, Rob will lead a hike to visit some examples of these stone structures at 10:00 am. 

Rob Buchanan is an independent researcher and has been a member of the New England Antiquities Research Association (NEARA) for over twenty years and is also the NEARA Treasurer. Rob has presented at many NEARA Conferences, and  led many local field trips. Rob has written articles for the NEARA Transit newsletter and the Rock Piles blog. He is also a regular contributor to the many Facebook groups that focus on the Native American Stone Structures of the Northeast. Through his company, Rambler Maps, Rob produces orienteering maps and maps of stone features and landscapes. He also works as an outdoor educator facilitating team building and group problem solving activities for groups of elementary through to high school students.

The Native American stone structures lecture on Friday June 21 from 7:00 – 8:15 pm held in person at the Putnam History Museum costs $20 for General Tickets and $18 for Putnam History Museum members. The virtual online presentation where people can view the lecture live is $15. The link for the online presentation will be sent to people upon completion of registration. The hike visiting some of the structures in Putnam Valley will take place from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm the next day, on Saturday, June 22nd, costs $20 for general tickets and $18 for Putnam History Museum members. If joining on the hike, please remember to wear solid foot protection and bug spray if you wish. The exact exact address of the hike will be provided upon registration. To register for the in person lecture, online presentation or the in person hike, click this link.

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