The "Good Magic" of Fiddleheads

One of springtime's delicacies are fiddleheads that usually bloom in the month of May in Connecticut. Foraging, harvesting and eating this iconic wild edible is a time-honored spring tradition for many Native Americans. 

About Fiddleheads

Fiddleheads are the coiled tips of young ostrich ferns that grow near brooks, rivers, and lakes.  They grow throughout the Northeastern U.S. and from British Columbia to the Northeastern Canadian Provinces where they have been consumed for centuries.

Fiddleheads are easily recognizable because the top of this plant looks like the scrolled neck of a violin. The trick is to pick fiddleheads before they unfurl into the large fronds of the fern; once they get too big, they are to bitter to eat. Picking time is short and lasts only about two weeks.

Fresh Fiddleheads are delicious and have a woodsy flavor.  Many compare it to a mixture of asparagus, spinach, and wild mushrooms.  Best of all, fiddleheads are high in iron, potassium, niacin, riboflavin, zinc, magnesium, phosphorus, and vitamins A and C.  Fiddleheads are also low in calories and high in fiber!

Medicinal and Culinary Use

Fiddleheads were called mahsos in the language of Malecite Native Peoples, a word that means "good magic."  For Native Americans, fiddleheads were an important source of food in the spring and provided vitamins and micronutrients. They were usually steamed or boiled in soups.

Medicinally the Cree (Algonquian) used fiddleheads in a decoction of the stalk during childbirth and for back pain.  Maliseet, Mi'kmaq, and Passamaquoddy tribes used fiddleheads as a medicinal tonic that acted as a diuretic. 

Maliseet traditional wisdom believes that consuming fiddleheads helps to cleanse the body of impurities and toxins. They also introduced this delectable delicacy to the Acadians, who were the descendants of French colonists that settled in Eastern Canada and Maine.

This iconic spring plant is thought to have become an art form.  Some have interpreted the double curve motif that Wabanaki people sometimes use to decorate artwork bears a strong resemblance to fiddleheads.

Did you Know

Only two or three fiddleheads should be picked from a clump, leave some to mature into large leaves.

Look for tightly curled buds that have just started to emerge for the best flavor.

Before cooking, fiddleheads make sure to rub off the brown paper-like skin and wash them thoroughly.

Fiddleheads don't keep long if the stems turn brown before cooking just snip them off.

The Institute for American Indian Studies

Located on 15 woodland acres the IAIS has an outdoor Three Sisters and Healing Plants Gardens as well as a replicated 16th c. Algonkian Village.  Inside the museum, authentic artifacts are displayed in permanent, semi-permanent and temporary exhibits from prehistory to the present that allows visitors a walk through time. The Institute for American Indian Studies is located on 38 Curtis Road in Washington Connecticut and can be reached online or by calling 860-868-0518.

The Institute for American Indian Studies preserves and educates through discovery and creativity the diverse traditions, vitality, and knowledge of Native American cultures. Through archaeology, the IAIS is able to build new understandings of the world and history of Native Americans, the focus is on stewardship and preservation.  This is achieved through workshops, special events, and education for students of all ages.

Mystery of the Templeton Site Revealed

If you are interested in Native American archeology in Connecticut, don't miss the lecture on May 20 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. on the recent findings of the Templeton Site in Washington at the Institute of American Indian Studies located on 38 Curtis Road. The cost to attend this event is $5 and light refreshments will be served. The public is encouraged and welcomed to attend.

The Presentation

The presenter, Dr. Singer is a specialist on the Paleo-Indian period in American history, which is the earliest known human epoch in Northeastern North America, which followed the end of the Wisconsin glaciation. 

This presentation will highlight the results of the 2016 and 2017 archaeological excavations at the Templeton site which is the oldest known archaeological site in Connecticut.  Amazingly, its Paleo-Indian component has been radiocarbon-dated to 11,190 years before the present.  

Dr. Singer will present new interpretations of raw material selection and toolstone use, artifact composition, and intra-site patterning in the Paleo-Indian component. Don’t miss this exciting lecture on one of the most significant archaeological sites in the Northeast!

Site Background

The Templeton site was discovered and originally excavated in the late 1970s by archaeologists from the Institute of American Indian Studies under the direction of the Director of Research, Dr. Roger Moeller, who published a book on his findings –6LF21: A Paleo-Indian Site in Western Connecticut.  

Dr. Singer, a research associate at The Institute is currently excavating the Templeton site. His recent excavations were facilitated by collaboration among members of the local Washington community, including the Litchfield Hills Archaeology Club, the Friends of the Office of State Archaeology, the Norwalk Community College Archaeology Club, New Hampshire SCRAP,  and archaeology field schools from Western Connecticut State University and the University of Connecticut.  In addition, many avocational archaeologists and professional archaeologists also participated. 

The Institute for American Indian Studies

Located on 15 woodland acres the IAIS has an outdoor Three Sisters and Healing Plants Gardens as well as a replicated 16th c. Algonkian Village.  Inside the museum, authentic artifacts are displayed in permanent, semi-permanent and temporary exhibits from prehistory to the present that allows visitors a walk through time. The Institute for American Indian Studies is located on 38 Curtis Road in Washington Connecticut and can be reached online or by calling 860-868-0518.

The Institute for American Indian Studies preserves and educates through discovery and creativity the diverse traditions, vitality, and knowledge of Native American cultures. Through archaeology, the IAIS is able to build new understandings of the world and history of Native Americans, the focus is on stewardship and preservation.  This is achieved through workshops, special events, and education for students of all ages.

All About Wampum

 In 20th century slang, the word wampum was commonly used to denote money along with such terms as loot, moolah, and even clams, a far cry from what it meant to Native Americans who used wampum to foster spiritual and social bonds among the Native communities.  The fascinating story of wampum will be told at a special Wampum Demonstration & Talk with Annawon Weeden, from the Mashpee/ Wampanoag tribe on Saturday, May 19, at the Institute for American Indian Studies. 

About Wampum

Wampum is composed of white and purple beads and discs fashioned from two different shells.  The white beads are made from the whelk, a sea snail and the purple beads are made from a quahog.  These shells are found in the ocean water south of Cape Cod to New York, with an abundance of them in Long Island Sound.  

The shells were harvested in the warm summer months. After the meat was eaten, the shells were drilled and polished.  A hole was pierced through the shell so they could be strung on strings made from plant fibers or animal tendons.  Typically tubular in shape, the beads were then woven into belts, necklaces, headpieces, bracelets, earrings and other adornments. The beads were even used at day-long games with the winners taking the wampum bounty.

The color of the beads had meaning for the Algonquians.  The white beads represented purity and light and were used as gifts to mark important events like births and marriages. The purple beads represented serious events like war or death.  The combination of these beads represented the duality of the world, light, and darkness, man, and woman, life, and death.

Wampum Today & The Workshop

Today, Native artists and culture bearers continue to craft wampum jewelry and use wampum belts to record tribal history.  At this workshop on May 19 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the Institute for American Indian Studies in Washington participants will learn about the significance of wampum and how it continues to provide a social and spiritual bong among Native communities.   A highlight of this workshop will be to watch the remarkable process of how wampum is made while listening to the stories the beads tell as they are strung.

The Institute for American Indian Studies

Located on 15 woodland acres the IAIS has an outdoor Three Sisters and Healing Plants Gardens as well as a replicated 16th c. Algonkian Village.  Inside the museum, authentic artifacts are displayed in permanent, semi-permanent and temporary exhibits from prehistory to the present that allows visitors a walk through time. The Institute for American Indian Studies is located on 38 Curtis Road in Washington Connecticut and can be reached online or by calling 860-868-0518.
The Institute for American Indian Studies preserves and educates through discovery and creativity the diverse traditions, vitality, and knowledge of Native American cultures. Through archaeology, the IAIS is able to build new understandings of the world and history of Native Americans; the focus is on stewardship and preservation.  This is achieved through workshops, special events, and education for students of all ages.

Mother's Day Perfumes and Powders Workshop for Kids @ Wilton Historical Society

On May 12 from  11 am to 12:30 pm the Wilton Historical Society located on 224 Danbury Road in Wilton is hosting a special perfumes and powders workshop for kids. 

In this program, Museum Educator Lola Chen will introduce kids to the world of perfumes and powders, including the story of Angelique, or the "Skunk Works" of Wilton (more below!). The workshop project is to create a fragrant, fizzing bath "bomb" - perfect for Mom!  Children will also help prepare a healthy snack.

According to the Perfume Society "Perfume's fascinating trail leads us from Ancient Egypt to Ancient Greece, to Rome - where rosewater played in fountains - and up to France, where Louis XIV's court was known as 'la cour parfumée', with the king demanding a different fragrance for every single day

Modern' perfumery, though, was born in the late 19th Century - with the creation of synthetic ingredients, and the dawn of great names like Coty, Guerlain, Roger & Gallet. Along came Coco Chanel, and No. 5 - and 'designer' perfumes were firmly on the map.

And it was Estée Lauder, in America in the 1950s, who with Youth Dew started the trend for wearing perfume as an everyday pleasure, rather than a just-for-special-occasions luxury. (Actually, Mrs. Lauder's blockbuster began as a bath oil - something women didn't feel guilty about buying for themselves.)" 

Did you know?

Angelique, or the "Skunk Works" was one of Wilton's most unique businesses, located at 93 Old Ridgefield Road. Founded in 1946, Angelique's perfumes and soaps were sold in specialty shops and featured in publications such as Life magazine. The company also employed marketing stunts - in one instance using a blower to waft aromas across Wilton Center. In 1962 the company was bought out by their competitor, Hazel Bishop. Angelique closed a year later. 

Visit the new exhibition "Connecticut's History, Wilton's Story" at the Wilton Historical Society to see Angelique perfume and soap.

Wellness Walk @ Weir Farm May 20

On Sunday, May 20 from 9 am to 11 am, Weir Farm in Wilton is offering a wellness walk through Shinrin Yoku Forest.  This walk is part of the park's Healthy Parks Healthy People program. The wellness walk will be lead by Certified Forest Therapy Guide Jennifer Salkin.

Shinrin Yoku, also called Forest Bathing, is a way to experience the natural world with increased attention to one's sense perceptions, and has many benefits including: reduces stress & improves immune functioning, lowers blood pressure, increases vigor & improves mood, increases the ability to focus, improves sleep. Join Jennifer for a slow-paced hike and re-connect with nature at Weir Farm National Historic Site!

Registration: Registration is free, but space is limited to twenty participants, so please call early to secure a spot! To register or for more information, please call 203-834-1896 ext. 28.

Copps Island Luau & Blessing of the Seaport Ferry

Have you ever tasted raw clams and oysters fresh off an oyster boat, visited a 4th generation oyster farm or witnessed the blessing of a fleet of boats?  Get ready for an unforgettable way to experience our shoreline at the Seaport Association's Copps Island Oyster Luau on May 19, 2018, from 6 pm to 8 pm at one of Connecticut's most revered oyster companies, Norm Bloom & Son Oyster Farm in Norwalk.

Tracing its origins back centuries to Mediterranean fishing villages, the annual Blessing of the Fleet ceremony hosted by the Seaport Association is based on a tradition meant to ensure a safe and bountiful season for the area's commercial fishing community as well as for the Seaport's vessel, C. J. Toth, that offers cruises to Sheffield Island from May through September. 

Over the years, the Blessing of the Fleet ceremony has evolved into a variety of festivities hosted by the Seaport Association and this year's new event, Copp's Island Luau promises a night of good food and drink among friends, old and new.  This New England style Luau has been organized to celebrate the treasures of our Connecticut coastline... clams and oysters!  The event will be held on Copps Island at Norm Bloom and Son, a fourth-generation family owned farm that provides some of the freshest and most luscious oysters and clams that you will ever taste! 

The fun doesn't stop there!  Expect to enjoy the tropical sounds of a ukulele trio, savor island-themed hors-d'oeuvres, and sip on beer and wine.  The Seaport Association has even concocted "one" special tropical drink, called "Tropical Grace" to salute the "Grace P. Lowndes Oyster Boat. All of this is included in the cost of the ticket that helps to raise funds for the programs of the Seaport Association that include the preservation of our maritime heritage, the environment of Long Island Sound and to help children experience the 150-year-old Sheffield Lighthouse.  So, pull out your most colorful Hawaiian shirt and join in the fun!

This unique experience is limited to only 200 special guests so be sure to get your ticket early as this event is expected to be a complete sellout.  Tickets are $75 online before May 6 and $85 after May 7, and, at the door if space permits. This event welcomes adults 21 and up only.  For Tickets click here. And, after this fantastically fun event, there is still time to explore all that Norwalk has to offer.

About the Seaport Association

Formed in 1978 by a group of local citizens the Seaport Association offers a cultural, environmental, and historical journey to the Norwalk Islands.  The Sheffield Island Lighthouse and the Light Keeper's Cottage provide a unique historical and educational landmark that strives to increase awareness, appreciation, and consideration of our environment and how the preservation of historic buildings and nature contribute to our quality of life.

It is our belief that preservation strengthens the perpetual partnership between the past, present, and future. As an Association, we are dedicated in our efforts to preserve our maritime heritage, the environment of Long Island Sound, and helping children experience our 150-year-old lighthouse on Sheffield Island.

About Copps Island Oysters

Norm Bloom and Son founded in 1994 have spent countless hours on the water doing what they love most, harvesting and farming oysters.  The Bloom family has been involved in the oyster business since the 1940s and today, Norm Bloom and Sons is one of the largest oyster farms on the east coast.

With an eye to the future, Norm Bloom and Sons have teamed up with marine biologists and local oystermen to preserve Long Island Sound in order to create a sustainable breeding and farming environment for the shellfish industry.  

Chowda Meet & Eat - May 24!

On the heels of Yankee Magazine recently naming Chowdafest one of “8 New England Events You Can't-Miss This Summer”, Chowdafest announces their own “not to miss” event. For the first time, Chowdafest, presented by Stop & Shop, will allow a limited number of passionate foodies and fans of the event, to get a sneak peek into some of the new restaurants and chefs competing this fall. “We call it a “meet & eat,” said Jim Keenan, executive director of Chowdafest. “Only 100 fans will get to sample new chowders, soups & bisque from outstanding chefs & restaurants new to the competition. It's a great opportunity to meet the chefs and gain some insight on how they hope to win this fall”

The VIP Meet & Eat” Sneak Peak takes place Thursday, May 24^th at Aitoro's Appliance in Norwalk, one of the premier appliance stores in CT that features over 20 state of the art kitchens. The event starts at 6pm and ends at 8pm and includes a raw bar of clams & oysters compliments of Copps Island Oysters, the official oyster of Chowdafest. Attendees get to enjoy unlimited sampling of at least twelve new chowders, soups and bisque being entered this fall by the likes of Hale & Hearty's from New York, Partner's Cafe in Norwalk, 190 Main of Westport and MCK Gourmet of Shelton. Enjoy beer, wine or sip on “cowtails” from The Farmers Cow as well as pies from 27-time award winning Michele's Pies!

This unique opportunity benefits Food Rescue US, Chowdafest's Official Charity in the ongoing fight against food insecurity. SAVE $10 by getting your tickets before 5/10. Tickets are available now online at $75 ($65 with savings) at: http://www.chowdafest.org/meet-and-eat. This event is expected to sell out quickly and is limited to just 100 tickets.

Tracing Native American Genealogy @ Institute for American Indian Studies

These days there are many ways to trace one’s ancestral roots -- from DNA kits to massive websites; but sometimes insider knowledge can save a person a great deal of time and aggravation.   This is especially true for tracing one’s Native American ancestry. To start your voyage of discovery or to get past a research hump, join Jeanne Morningstar Kent to learn how to trace your Native American heritage on May 12, at the Institute of American Indian Studies in Washington Connecticut, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Tracing Native American genealogy can be tricky because there are very few official records about early Native Americans.  Morningstar is an enrolled member of the Nulhegan Band, Coosuk-Abenaki of Vermont, and descended from Nipissing, Montagnais, and the Algonquin People from the Quebec area of Canada, making her uniquely qualified to help you navigate the somewhat complicated ways of tracing your Native American ancestry.

Participants in this workshop will learn the best places to begin research, which can be a fascinating and rewarding process.  The focus of this workshop will be most helpful for people tracing Native Ancestors in New England and Quebec, Canada.  “This talk is geared to New England and Quebec because it is based on my own genealogy work for myself and my father’s family.  This is what I am most familiar with.  I am currently working on another family line that is in the Midwest and southern states, so I will be able to answer some questions regarding pursuing non Native research in those areas,” says Morningstar.

Highlights of this program are the helpful hints that Morningstar will share to make your research easier.  Some hints will be places to find information and how to recognize Native names even though they sound like Christian names.

Based on the successful research of her own Native American ancestry, Morningstar will provide essential information on the best techniques for tracing your Native past. “Anyone who has heard family stories about an ancestor being Native with possible roots from Canada will be most interested in what I cover.  I am open to answering whatever genealogy questions I can as I am now pursuing my mother’s side of the family, which is not Native and primarily requires research in the Midwest and southern states of the USA.  It is different.

This workshop, Moccasin Tracks: Native American Genealogy with Jeanne Morningstar Kent is expected to sell out and reservations are required. Call 860-868-0518 or email general@iaismuseum.org to reserve your place.  Adults are $15, Seniors $13, Children are $11 and members of IAIS are $5.

The Institute for American Indian Studies

Located on 15 woodland acres the IAIS has an outdoor Three Sisters and Healing Plants Gardens as well as a replicated 16th c. Algonkian Village.  Inside the museum, authentic artifacts are displayed in permanent, semi-permanent and temporary exhibits from prehistory to the present that allows visitors a walk through time. The Institute for American Indian Studies is located on 38 Curtis Road in Washington Connecticut and can be reached online or by calling 860-868-0518.

The Institute for American Indian Studies preserves and educates through discovery and creativity the diverse traditions, vitality, and knowledge of Native American cultures. Through archaeology, the IAIS is able to build new understandings of the world and history of Native Americans; the focus is on stewardship and preservation.  This is achieved through workshops, special events, and education for students of all ages.