Solstice and Summer @ American Indian Archeological Institute

Celebrating the longest day of the year during Summer Solstice has gone on for centuries, and some of the most interesting celebrations and rituals are those practiced by Native Americans.  This year Summer Solstice occurs on June 21 and the Institute of American Indian Studies in Washington Connecticut has planned an event to celebrate this celestial event with an easy walk, stories, and strawberries. 

On Thursday, June 21, from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. get ready for an evening of fun, stories and strawberries with the staff of the American Indian Archeological Institute in Washington Connecticut. Participants on this adventure will learn about the significance of the summer solstice in various cultures and how it has been celebrated around the world.

The word solstice comes from the Latin words for sun and to stop because, on this particular day, the sun appears to pause in the sky when it reaches its northernmost point from the equator.  As you stroll along the forest path, you will learn about the many interesting rituals and celebrations that are practiced by Native Americans.  The "medicine wheel," for example, is considered to be a celestial observatory built hundreds of years ago by the Plains Indians to indicate where the sun rose and set on the summer solstice; while the Pueblo Indians created a solar marking site at Fajada Butte in Chaco Canyon.  In Connecticut, according to the New England Historical Society, there are 62 ancient stone structures that are oriented to the stars and planets.

The Summer Solstice Walk concludes in a 17th-century authentic replica of the Institute's Algonkian Village.  The perfect conclusion to the walk is to sit by the fire and listen to the stories that have come down to us from the ages as the shadows fall around the surrounding wigwams.  A special strawberry treat will also be served as strawberries represent life and good health and were one of the first fruits of summer.

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.

Traditional Bark Basket Workshop June 24

Native Americans have created baskets for centuries. In fact, archeologists believe that baskets making is one of the oldest known crafts in the world.  If you have always wanted to learn how to create a Native American bark basket, join the workshop conducted by Jennifer Lee of Pequot and Narragansett ancestry on June 24 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Institute of American Indian Studies located on 38 Curtis Road in Washington, Connecticut. 

About Native American Baskets

Native American baskets range from very simple to very elaborate and the art of basket making was passed down from generation to generation among Native American Indian mothers to their daughters.  

The first step in bark basket making was the harvesting of pine, ash or birch bark in the spring.  The bark was then folded into the shape of a container and sewn together with spruce root and rimmed with Arrowwood or Red Osier Dogwood.  Bark baskets made by Eastern Woodland Indians were used for cooking, gathering berries, hauling water, storing food, as cradleboards and even for burying the dead.  

About the Workshop

Jennifer Lee is an 18th-century re-enactor and material culture presenter that offers a variety of programs including bark basket making demonstrations and workshops.  She portrays an Algonkian woman of the 1750 era. Lee is also a teller of history and traditional stories. "I want my programs to dispel old stereotypes and increase awareness of present-day Native Americans."

Participants in this workshop will learn about the lore and tradition of basket making while creating their very own bark basket.  Lee will guide participants through the process of creating a bark basket using white pine bark, spruce root, and willow. Participants can choose from three different basket designs and are sure to treasure their creation at the end of the day.

To participate in this workshop, please pre-register by calling (860) 868-0518 or emailing general@iaismuseum.org to reserve your spot.  The cost of this workshop ranges from $50 to $60 depending on the basket that you choose to make.  Please note that prepayment is required.

Camping and Rides @ Lake Compounce

Bear Creek Campground is one of Connecticut's most amazing campgrounds in the Litchfield Hills and opens in May. This campground is part of Lake Compounce, a family-friendly destination with an award-winning roller coaster, several water parks, and even an antique carousel. 

Bayou Bay is an enormous wave pool that is the perfect place for youngsters and teens alike and is the perfect place to splash around.  Another top two attractions is a family rafting experience that twists and turns down Mammoth Falls and if you like to slip and slide at top notch speed, try out the slide called the rip tide racer.  For younger kids five and under, the lazy Croc-O- Nile river wade pool is a perfect way to cool off on a hot summer day.  If your kids love pirate ships, don't miss Clipper Cover, a pirate ship that has a 3-- gallon dump bucket and a ship that fires water out of cannons.

In addition, don't miss the Phobia Phear Coaster which is the newest thrill at Lake Compounce and the most unforgettable moment of all.  It is New England's first triple launch coaster with speeds of up to 65 miles per hour and a blood-chilling cobra roll 150 feet in the air!  One of the most amazing rides is the award-winning  Boulder Dash that is the #1 wooden roller coaster in the world that wends down a mountainside around boulders and through the New England woods.  For folks that like nostalgia the park also offers a ride on the Wildcat Roller Coast that has been thrilling families since 1927.

At Bear Creek Campground families can pitch a tent, rent an RV site or rent a one or two bedroom cabin, cub hut or even a tipi to spend the night in!  There is a two night minimum in all cabins during the weekends (Friday - Sat.) and a three-night minimum on holidays.

Medicinal Monday - Sweet Strawberries

In America, our "official" one day of gratitude is celebrated in November at Thanksgiving. Native Americans, however, have a tradition of routinely giving thanks more than once a year, especially to the plants and animals that provide sustenance and medicine in their lives.  In Connecticut, June is strawberry season and this fruit has a long and interesting history in Native American culture. Strawberries have been used as medicine, in cuisine, and ceremonially.  In Native Culture, they represent life and good health.  To fete the strawberry,  the Institute for American Indian Studies is hosting the Strawberry Moon Festival on June 16 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., a delicious celebration not to be missed!

About Strawberry Plants

Early wild strawberries are believed to be much like today's wild strawberries that are sweeter and smaller than today's cultivated varieties that we see in the stores.

Wild strawberry plants are made up of several short thin vines that creep out from a central underground root. White flowers emerge in the spring and as the temperature gets warmer they turn into green or white berries that eventually ripen into a bright red color in early summer.  Because of their small size, they were not always popular as a cultivated crop, although, many times you can find them in a three sisters garden.  Strawberry plants were easily found in meadows and open woodland and prefer cool, moist climates.

Medicinal and Culinary Uses

Strawberries are a popular food item for many tribes and even play a ceremonial role.  To the Mohawks, the strawberry was the first berry food to appear and the plant was gathered and eaten as a blood purifier.  In California, the Pom hold special Strawberry Festivals and  Dances representing the renewal of life.  To the Iroquois, strawberries are symbols of thanksgiving and blessings, the Cherokees believe the strawberry is associated with love and happiness and they consider it good luck to have strawberries in the house.  To the Navajo tribe, the strawberry is considered one of the sacred life medicines.

The most common medicinal use of strawberries was as a treatment for burns and sores. The leaves were dried and applied to a burn as a healing remedy.  For sores, the leaves were ground up and mixed with a fatty substance (perhaps deer fat) and applied. The roots were chewed to help clean teeth and to help inflamed gums.  Tea made from the leaves was brewed and drank to alleviate stomach issues. This plant was even used in infant care, the leaves would be dried and ground into a powder then applied to the unhealed navel area. 


In their cuisine, Native Americans often ate both fresh and dried wild strawberries. They were mixed with cornmeal and baked into a strawberry bread, that can be considered as a forerunner of strawberry shortcake.  Strawberries were also blended with animal fat and used as an energy bar. Excess berries never went to waste, they were harvested, sun-dried and stored for winter.  Strawberries were added to soups, bread and used as flavorings in meat dishes. 

The sweet juicy nature of strawberries made them perfect for beverages like the strawberry moon tea that was made with mashed strawberries mixed with cold water and sassafras tea.

Did you know

Wild berries are very sweet and have a unique aroma

The name strawberry is an English term that refers to the erratic way the plant grew and strayed from the central root.

European folklore holds that if two people share a double berry they are bound to fall in love.

Medieval stonemasons carved strawberries on cathedrals to symbolize perfection.

For additional information http://www.goodfoodworld.com/2012/11/the-wild-strawberry-a-sacred-purifier/

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.

Get Over Hump Day with the Seaport Association

Having made it through Monday and Tuesday, come Wednesday some folks need a little extra motivation to get to the weekend!   The Seaport Association in Norwalk is offering a series of adult only acoustic cruises through Norwalk Harbor and Islands every Wednesday in June, July, August, and September to get you over the hump!

This two-hour cruise departing at 6:30 p.m. and returning at 8:30 p.m. has the added attraction of a beautiful sunset on the water.  Imagine listing to the serene sounds of music while watching the sky fade into dusk amid the glimmer of city lights.  The views are fantastic and so is the music…it is like attending your very own private concert on the water with 48 other friends!

On June 20, join the New Orleans Beatniks on an evening cruise and relax to the music of New Orleans with a little bit of funk and a lot of soul!  Their unique musical style and the way they interact with their audience will make this cruise unforgettable.

On June 27, Pierce Campbell will perform. Campbell was appointed as the Connecticut State Troubadour for 2007-2008, and is well known as a storyteller and a fabulously talented guitar, piano and acoustic base player.  Passengers will unwind to his well-crafted songs, his rich and powerful voice and dazzling guitar work, with a story or two thrown in to round out an excellent night of entertainment.

To add to the ambiance, don’t forget to pack a picnic snack and your favorite bottle of wine or beer.

How to Book the Cruise

The Seaport Wednesday Acoustic Cruise is available in June, July, August and September.  The vessel leaves the dock at 6:30 p.m. and returns at 8:30 p.m.  Passengers should arrive 30 minutes before departure, boarding begins at 6:15 p.m. Passengers are welcome to bring snacks and their favorite bottle of wine or beer aboard…don’t forget to bring plastic glasses!  The vessel leaves from the Sheffield Island Lighthouse Dock located at the corner of North Water Street and Washington Street in historic South Norwalk.  Parking is available adjacent to the dock and the Norwalk Maritime Garage.  Tickets for this Adult cruise only is $25 ($26.87 with service fee). For tickets click here https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/3342004?cookie_header=1

About the Seaport Association

The Seaport Association was founded in 1978 by a group of local citizens in Norwalk who had a vision to revitalize South Norwalk and preserve Norwalk’s maritime heritage.  This year makes the 150 anniversary of the Sheffield Island Lighthouse.

The Norwalk 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 venue that strives to increase awareness, appreciation and consideration for 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, the present and the future. The combination of the Lighthouse and the Stewart B. McKinney National Wildlife Refuge offers an unparalleled opportunity to educate children of all ages and adults about the importance of preserving Long Island Sound, our environment and maritime heritage.

Lecture - Bringing the Arts and Crafts Style to Torrington

The Torrington Historical Society is pleased to host a presentation about noted architect E.G.W. Dietrich on Wednesday, June 6^th .   Architect E.G.W. Dietrich: Bringing the Arts and Crafts Style to Torrington will be presented by Dietrich scholar, Christopher Jend, and will feature information about Dietrich and his design for the Luther Turner House in Torrington, one of the city’s most prominent historic homes.  This presentation will begin at 6:30 p.m. in the Torrington Historical Society Carriage House Gallery, 192 Main Street, Torrington.  The program, free to the public, is sponsored by the Torrington Chapter of UNICO National.

Architect E. G. W. Dietrich (1857-1924) was a native of Pittsburgh, PA and came to prominence in the 1880’s for his eye-catching designs of shingle style country residences. Finding success on the East coast, he relocated to New York City where he would practice for nearly forty years. He was an early proponent of the Colonial Revival and Arts and Crafts styles. Through his collaboration with furniture designer Gustav Stickley, Dietrich is recognized as designing the first “Craftsman” house published in Stickley’s Craftsman Magazine in May 1903.

At the beginning of the 20^th century, Dietrich was hired to design a house for Luther G. Turner (1845-1924), one of Torrington’s most prominent citizens.  Turner made his career with one of Torrington’s largest industries, the Turner & Seymour Manufacturing Company, eventually serving as President of the firm prior to his retirement in 1915.  The house, built circa 1904 and located on a prominent lot at the corner of Migeon Avenue and Gleason Street, went through several design iterations.  Coinciding with Dietrich’s design of the first “Craftsman” house, the Turner residence is an outstanding example of Dietrich’s work in the Arts and Crafts Style.     

Christopher Jend began researching architect E. G. W. Dietrich seven years ago.  In that time, he has documented more than 350 of Dietrich’s designs and visited Dietrich projects in New York, Connecticut, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Indiana.  Mr. Jend researched and wrote the successful nomination of the John Mollenhauer House in Bay Shore, New York to the National Register of Historic Places.  He has presented his research on Dietrich at the Bay Shore Historical Society and the Warwick Historical Society (Orange County, New York).  The latter was part of the Warwick Village Sesquicentennial and included an exhibition of drawings, renderings, and photographs of Dietrich designs.       

For more information, please contact the Torrington Historical Society at torringtonhistorical@snet.net.