The 2nd Annual Native American Heritage Weekend sponsored by the Putnam History Museum takes place this weekend, November 1st, 2nd, and 3rd. The weekend will be full of events celebrating the history and culture of local Indigenous Peoples. The weekend includes guided history hikes at Foundry Cove & Mount Nimham, a hands-on & immersive presentation, and the PHM’s award-winning exhibition Indigenous Peoples in Putnam County. All of the programs are made possible through a Humanities NY grant and in collaboration with the Cornell Cooperative Extension Putnam County and Drew Shuptar-Rayvis (Pekatawas MakataweU “Black Corn”).
On Friday, November 1, at 3:30 p.m., step into the past with a guided walking tour through Foundry Cove in Cold Spring, NY. Learn about the Indigenous history of Putnam County and the story of those who lived here thousands of years ago. This all-ages tour is the perfect family outing to kick off our Native American Heritage Weekend.
The 1 hour walking tour will start at the Putnam History Museum located at 63 Chestnut Street, Cold Spring. The tour will begin at the Museum’s Indigenous Peoples in Putnam County exhibition. Visitors will have the opportunity to view Indigenous artifacts, including projectile points, axe-heads, scrapers, and pestles; as well as several incredible replicas, including a dug-out canoe, pottery, a deer-toe rattle, and mortar. Staff will then lead visitors on a guided tour into Scenic Hudson’s West Point Foundry Preserve, a designated National Historic Landmark. There, visitors will learn about Indigenous use of the land and water in the area for thousands of years.
The walking tour is relatively easy with one large hill to descend/climb. The cost for the guided walking tour is $12 for museum members and $15 for non-members. Children under 18 are free when accompanied by an adult.
On Saturday, November 2, at 10 a.m. head up the mountain for a history-packed hike up Mount Nimham. The Putnam History Museum along with the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Putnam County will explore the stories of the Wappinger people and the role of the Civilian Conservation Corps in constructing the Nimham Fire Tower.
Mount Nimham has a long history from its early days as home to the Wappinger people to the construction of the Nimham Fire Tower in 1940 by the CCC. Led by the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Putnam County, this hike will explore the ways that the mountain’s past has played a role in its environmental present. Attendees will see some stone chambers, and the Putnam History Museum will touch upon the Indigenous history of the area, including the namesake of the mountain, Sachem Daniel Nimham. The moderate to difficult hike is rated that way due to the uphill climb of the trail for the first hour. The hike will take approximately 2.5 hours round trip beginning at 10:00 a.m.
The cost is $12 museum members and $15 for non-members. Don’t forget to bring water and a snack.
On Sunday, November 3, living historian and cultural ambassador Drew Shuptar-Rayvis concludes 2nd annual Native American Festival with a hands-on exploration of Indigenous daily life before European settlement. Starting at 1:00 p.m. at the Putnam History Museum, attendees will get the opportunity to get up close with incredible artifacts like bark baskets, stone axes, and animal pelts. Visitors can then head inside to the Indigenous Peoples in Putnam County exhibition to view more Indigenous artifacts, including projectile points, axe-heads, scrapers, and pestles; as well as several incredible replicas, including a dug-out canoe, pottery, a deer-toe rattle, and mortar. This is a way to end the 2nd Annual Native American Heritage Weekend and is perfect for all ages.
The cost for this event is $5 for general admission. Children under 18 are free when accompanied by an adult.
Drew Shuptar-Rayvis (Pekatawas MakataweU “Black Corn”) has a degree in Anthropology and Sociology from Western Connecticut State University and holds a Certificate Degree in Archaeology from Norwalk Community College. His family includes Indigenous Pocomoke heritage, Pennsylvania Dutch, Welsh, Swiss, English, Scots-Irish, Boyko Ukrainian and Ashkanazi/ Sephardic Jewish. He honors all of his ancestors as a practicing living historian and regularly participates in colonial era reenactments, interpretations and public educational events. Drew works diligently in the research and preservation of the Eastern Woodland languages, particularly Renape, southern Unami and Nanticoke and is educated in the many European languages at use in the Colonial Period.
To register for any of the events, use this link or visit the Putnam History Museum website for more information.
“Last year’s inaugural Native American Heritage Weekend was a great success, so we’re excited to bring it back for a second year. Throughout the weekend, visitors can immerse themselves in local Indigenous history and explore the places, artifacts, and stories that shape our community’s shared heritage. November and December are the final months to see the full Indigenous Peoples exhibition, but a traveling version, funded by a Humanities New York grant, will be available in 2025,” said Cassie Ward, Putnam History Museum’s Executive Director.
Don’t forget to tell the Putnam History Museum know you read about the 2nd annual Annual Native American Heritage Weekend in the Peekskill Herald.
Visit the Peekskill Herald Events Calendar Features and the Peekskill Herald Event Calendar to see more local events.
If you would like to sponsor the Peekskill Herald Events Calendar, email [email protected].
If you would like to have your event publicized and advertised for free, please add your event to the Peekskill Herald Event Calendar. You may even get to become a highlighted featured event of the week. Like what you see? Click here to subscribe for free to the Peekskill Herald. Really like what you see and want to support local thriving journalism? Donate and become a member of the Peekskill Herald. The Peekskill Herald is a 501c3 charitable organization and all donations are tax-deductible.
