Carved stones and historical narratives will take center stage in a talk to be held at the Putnam History Museum, about 10 miles from Peekskill. On the afternoon of Saturday, July 12, journalist and researcher Susan Allport will share insights into historical archaeology. During the event, the author will also discuss material from her book Sermons in Stone: The Stone Walls of New England and New York.

The gathering, aimed at all archaeology enthusiasts, will begin at 5 p.m. at the museum’s headquarters, located in Cold Spring. The event is part of the Stories in Stone Weekend, an annual program organized by the museum to highlight the historical significance of stone structures scattered across the fields and forests of the northeastern United States.

The focus of Allport’s talk, who is a regular contributor to outlets such as The New York Times, revolves around some of the findings from her research into the origins and social meanings of the stone walls that still traverse the landscapes of New York and New England.

In her book, Allport asserts that these walls—built without mortar, by hand, stone upon stone—are not merely a testament to the agricultural ingenuity of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, but also evidence of social inequalities. Field research reveals that many of these structures were erected by enslaved people, Native Americans, children, and indentured servants. Beyond their practical function as fences or property boundaries, these walls encapsulate stories of land appropriation, migration, agriculture, reforestation, and the transformation of the landscape.

Saturday’s event is free of charge, but prior registration is required. The talk will last approximately one hour and fifteen minutes and will also be streamed live online. In-person capacity at the museum is limited.

As an optional complement, the museum has organized for Sunday, July 13, a guided hike at Mead Farm, in Putnam County, where participants will explore old stone walls, nineteenth-century foundations, and three stone chambers of uncertain origin. The hike, of moderate difficulty, will take place at two times: 9 a.m. and 1 p.m., departing from the parking lot of Dunkin’ Donuts at 1090 Route 52, Carmel, NY.

For more information about the Stories in Stone Weekend, visit the museum’s website.