October, 2017 AAM Calendar of Events
Following are this year's scheduled events. This calendar is NOT intended to be a FOSA-only facility; instead, it will contain links to a wide variety of archaeological, historical, and interpretive societies' events, with links to their web sites where more detailed information can be gained. In this way, too, our hope is to spread knowledge of the groups and their activites beyond their normal audience.
"The Last Green Valley" is a 35-town National Heritage Corridor in eastern Connecticut and south-central. Among the things it does is sponsor many hikes and historical events during October. Some are mentioned below; for a complete schedule, please check their calendar of events. Sorry. The Walktober-2017 Calendar of Events page is no longer available.
• Hammonasset Festival
When: Saturday September 30 and Sunday October 1 10:00AM to 5:00PM
Where: Guilford Fairgrounds, 111 Lovers Lane, Guilford, CT.
What:
For information on the Fair and the Guilford Fairgrounds, please visit their web site at
hammonasset.org/hammonassett-festival/.
To see an article from the Middletown Press on this event, please click
FOSA Members: If you would like to help out in the FOSA Outreach Display at the
Fair, you can email Outreach Chair Kathy Walburn at: fosaoutreach@gmail.com.
• FIELD EXCAVATION: WATERFORD - October 2.
FOSA members who have expressed an interest in field work have been notified of particulars.
> If you are a FOSA member and might nevertheless like to contribute in the work, please contact Scott Brady or Kathy Walburn.
> If you're not a FOSA member, to participate you must first join FOSA. To do so, please access the 'Join Us' page by clicking
Join/Donate. Normal cost for joining is $25.
For those new to field work, please be aware that there may be limited time available for instructional purposes.
• Nick Bellantoni Speaking Engagement: "New England Vampire Folk Belief: The Archaeological Evidence"
When: Tuesday October 3, 2017; 7:00 PM
Where: Slater Public Library, 26 Main Street, Jewett City, CT
What: Connecticut's State Archaeologist, Dr. Nicholas Bellantoni will shed light on one of the Nutmeg
State's most intriguing historical mysteries, the Jewett City Vampires. Dr. Bellantoni will describe the history
of the Jewett City vampires, including origins of the beliefs in the undead seeking nourishment from family
members and how the living were protected. He will reflect not only on vampires but also on other unexplained
mysteries.
> For additional information, call 860-376-0024.
• Brian Jones TEDx Talk: "What Lies Beneath: Understanding Beyond the Superficial."
When: Thursday October 5, 2017; 5:00 PM
Where: See below*
What: This will be the first of several TEDx talks at Danbury High School. The venue is full;
however a video stream is being made available for those interested. The talks should also be available through
the official TED website (www.ted.com) in a month or so.
> TED is a nonprofit devoted to spreading ideas, usually in the form of short, powerful talks (18
minutes or less). TED began in 1984 as a conference where Technology, Entertainment and Design converged,
and today covers almost all topics - from science to business to global issues - in more than 100 languages.
• Archaeology Field School
When: Tuesday October 7, 2017; 9:00AM to 11:30AM
Where: University of Connecticut, Storrs CT
What: What happens at an archaeological dig? Learn about the science, field techniques, tools, and
ethical aspects of archaeology from professional archaeologist Mandy Ranslow. Participants will be part of a
real archaeological field crew, doing hands-on fieldwork at an ongoing historic house excavation at UConn.
Findings at the site add important information to our understanding of Connecticut's rich historic past.
Cost: $20 ($15 for CSMNH Members and Donors)
Advance registration is required.
For additional information, call 860-486-5690..
• Archaeology Expo
When: Saturday October 14 10:00AM to 4:00PM
Where: Mashantucket Pequot Museum & Research Center, 110 Pequot Trail, Mashantucket, CT
(800) 411-9671
What: Bring your family to the Pequot Museum for a day of exploration! Archaeologists and historians
from across the region will share their discoveries. There's something for everyone, from experts and
professionals to enthusiasts and kids, don't miss out!
• tour the Pequot Museum's archaeology labs
• visit historical sites on the reservation
• archaeology demonstrations
• artifact displays
• kids discovery stations (hands-on activites)
• poster sessions
• flintknapping (stone tool making)
• bow making
• atlatl throwing
• guest speakers
• and more!
This event will be held inside the museum's Gathering Space with its soaring glass ceiling and acclaimed
Native restaurant. There is no charge to enter the Gathering Space.
FOSA Members: If you would like to help out in the FOSA Outreach Display at the
Fair, you can email Outreach Chair Kathy Walburn at: fosaoutreach@gmail.com.
• Talcottville Walk
When: Saturday, October 14, 1:00PM
Where: Meet in the parking lot at the Talcottville Congregational Church, 10 Elm Hill Road, Vernon CT
What: This will be a three-mile hike to see the Talcottville gorge, historic bridges and buildings,
and the sites of former mills. Geologically, the walk will start out on the Portland Arkose, take us over the
eastern border fault into the border fault deformed zone, then into the Glastonbury Gneiss, and sand and gravel
deposits. Some of the terrain is steep and bumpy, so please wear sturdy sneakers or shoes, and be prepared for
some wet spots. Speakers include geologist Gary Robbins, Susan Barlow, and Jon Roe, webmaster of the
Tankerhoosan and
Talcottville web sites. The hike will be
held rain or shine, but extreme weather cancels.
• Nick Bellantoni Speaking Engagement: "The Ground Around Us: The Importance of Archaeology and Historic
Preservation"
When: Sunday, October 15, 2:00PM - 3:00PM
Where: Hall Tavern Visitor Center, Old Main Street, Deerfield, MA 01342
What: In this talk, Nick will speak about historic preservation of archaeological sites in the CT
State Historical Preservation Office (CTSHPO), the Office of State Archaeology, and related legislation,
illustrated with several case studies.
Note:Free and open to the public.
For additional information: please call 413-774-5581.
• Nick Bellantoni Speaking Engagement: "New England Vampire Folk Belief: The Archaeological Evidence"
When: Thursday October 19, 2017; 6:00 PM
Where: Westport Historical Society, 25 Avery Point, Westport, CT
What: Connecticut's State Archaeologist, Dr. Nicholas Bellantoni will shed light on one of the Nutmeg
State's most intriguing historical mysteries, the Jewett City Vampires. Dr. Bellantoni will describe the history
of the Jewett City vampires, including origins of the beliefs in the undead seeking nourishment from family
members and how the living were protected. He will reflect not only on vampires but also on other unexplained
mysteries.
> For additional information, call 203-222-1424.
• Archaeological Institute of America (AIA): International Archaeology Day
When: Saturday, October 21, 2017
What: Please click
• Nick Bellantoni Walktober Event: Hemlock Glen, Hampton, CT"
When: Monday October 23, 2017; 10:00 AM
Where: Hemlock Glen, junction of Old Kings Highway and Hemlock Glen Road, Hampton, CT
What: Retired State Archaeologist Nick Bellantoni will lead an easy walk through picturesque Hemlock
Glen in Hampton. The walk will focus on the archaeological remains and history of the mills that once flourished
in this small, rural town. The Walk will take approximately 2 hours, and cover 2 miles
> Sponsored by: Hampton Antiquarian and Historical Society, www.hamptonct.org.
> Note: To participate you must register with The Last Green Valley, whose office is 203B Main St.
(2nd floor), Danielson, CT. Open Monday-Thursday 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM. Phone: 860-774-3300
web site: thelastgreenvalley.org.
• AIA Lecture: Kristian Lorenza: "Rams in Space: The Ambracian Gulf as a Landscape of Symbols"
When: Tuesday, October 24, 2017, 5:30PM
Where: Yale University, Phelps Hall (Room 207), 344 College Street, New Haven, CT
What: Please click lecture info for
information on this lecture. A small reception will follow the talk.
Cost: No registration is required, all are welcome.
• Nick Bellantoni Speaking Engagement: "New England Vampire Folk Belief: The Archaeological Evidence"
When: Wednesday October 25, 2017; 6:30 PM
Where: Torrington Historical Society, 192 Main Street, Torrington, CT
What: Connecticut's State Archaeologist, Dr. Nicholas Bellantoni will shed light on one of the Nutmeg
State's most intriguing historical mysteries, the Jewett City Vampires. Dr. Bellantoni will describe the history
of the Jewett City vampires, including origins of the beliefs in the undead seeking nourishment from family
members and how the living were protected. He will reflect not only on vampires but also on other unexplained
mysteries.
> To access the Torrington Historical Society's web site, please click
Torrington Historical Society.
> For additional information, call 860-482-8260.
• AIA Lecture: Karen Pollinger Foster: "Dionysos and Vesuvius in the Villa of the Mysteries"
When: Thrusday, October 26. 2017, 5:00PM
Where: Trinity College, 300 Summit Street, Hartford, CT (location TBA)
What: Please click lecture info for
information on this lecture.
Cost: No registration is required, all are welcome.
• Halloween at Old New-Gate Prison
When: Friday October 27, 2017, 3:00 - 8:00PM; and Saturday, October 28, 4:00 - 8:00PM
Where: 106 Newgate Rd, East Granby, CT 06026
What: Happy hauntings at Old New-Gate Prison & Copper Mine! There may be no better place to find the
spirit of Halloween (and perhaps even the spirits of Halloween!) than Connecticut's first prison. Located in
beautiful East Granby, Connecticut, the site features picturesque ruins, beautiful views, and provides the
perfect setting for a historically haunted holiday.
Visitors of all ages will enjoy the torch light parade (starting around 7:15 pm), costume contest,
performances by the Marquis of Granby Ancient Fyfe and Drum Corps, and visits with famed New-Gate prisoner
Thirza Mansfield (who hacked her husband to bits); the Headless Horseman, escaped prisoners and the prison's
"Sawbones". There will be lots to do for the under 12 set, including face painting, pumpkin decorating, games,
and bat craft activities. Bring a carved Jack-o-lantern for our display!
> For information call (Pre-Event) 860-500-2360 or (Day of Event) 850-983-6117).
> For additional information, see the Facebook page by clicking
• 12th Annual Native American-Archaeology Roundtable: "Our Hidden Landscapes: Native American Stone Ceremonial Sites in the North American East"
When: Saturday, October 28, 9:00AM - 5:00PM
Where: Institute for American Indian Studies, 38 Curtis Road, Washington, CT 06793
What: Please join us for another rousing Native American-Archaeology Round Table with outstanding presentations and panel discussions by professional researchers and Native American leadership.
The federal government recognizes Native American Ceremonial Stone Landscapes (CSLs) as
significant archaeological sites, yet most people - the general public and professional researchers - know
little about them. Oftentimes their stone cultural features are misidentified as "farm clearing," and
subsequently destroyed to make way for suburban expansion or industrial developments. This conference focuses
specifically on the identification of CSLs, their physical characteristics, relationships to the cosmos,
connections with indigenous world view and sacred stories, and the need for professional archaeologists and s
tate officials to identify, catalog and preserve these objects of living history.
Scheduled speakers: Deanna Beacham (Weapemeoc), Jesse Bergevin, Dr. Chris Bergman, Dr. Daniel F. Cassedy,
Robert DeFosses, Mary & James Gage, Doug Harris, Dr. Julia A. King, Dr. Paul Loether, Dr. Johannes (Jannie)
Loubser, Charity M. Moore, Tom Paul, Dr. Paul A. Robinson, Dr. Laurie Rush, Douglas Schwartz, and Matthew V.
Weiss.
Co-Organizers: Dr. Lucianne Lavin (IAIS) and Elaine Thomas (Mohegan).
Cost: Open to the public; pre-registration is required; there is a $10 conference fee. Light
refreshments will be served.
To pre-register, you can send an email to: general@iais.museum.org
or call 860-868-0518. You can pay the $10 conference fee either over the phone or at the event.
Directions:
Danbury, CT and NY from the West. Take I-84 East to Exit 15. Turn left towards Roxbury on Route 67.
At 4th light Route 67 turns left. Follow Route 67 through Roxbury to Route 199. Turn right on to Route 199. Go
3 miles and turn left on to Curtis Road.
Albany and northern NY. Take I-90 East toward Boston to Exit B2 toward NY-295. Merge onto the Taconic
State Parkway. Take exit to NY-203. Keep right and turn right onto NY-203. Turn right onto NY-22. Take slight
left onto NY-71, which becomes MA-71.Turn left onto MA-41/MA-23S. Turn right onto US 7. Follow south and take
left onto CT-45. Take left onto CT-202, then a right on CT-47. Take right on CT-199 and follow 1.4 miles to
Curtis Road on your right.
From Hartford, Waterbury and CT from the East. Take I-84 West to Exit 15. Turn right towards Roxbury on
Route 67. At 3rd light Route 67 turns left. Follow Route 67 thru Roxbury to Route 199. Turn right on to Route
199. Go 3 miles and turn left on to Curtis Road. From Western CT Take Route 7 to New Milford and Route 67. Take
Route 67 towards Roxbury. Turn left on to Route 199. Go 3 miles and turn left on to Curtis Road.
For additional information, call 860-868-0518 or email round table organizer and moderator Dr.
Lucianne Lavin at: llavin@iaismuseum.org. You can access the IAIS web site by clicking iaismuseum.org.
• Nick Bellantoni Speaking Engagement: "Morturay Practices in Historic New England"
When: Saturday October 28, 2017, 2:00 PM
Where: 10 Levinthal Road, Stafford Springs, CT
What:
Connecticut's State Archaeologist, Dr. Nicholas Bellantoni will shed light on the varying ways New Englanders
prepared their dead for burial, and the reasons for doing so.
> For additional information, call 860-684-2128.
Note: While not a requirement, the Library is requesting
that you call ahead and let them know you're coming.
• Brian Wygal Speaking Engagement: "A Mammoth Discovery"
When: Wednesday November 1, 2017, 2:00 PM
Where: Sacred Heart University, Schine Auditorium (lower level of Ryan Matura Library), 5151 Park Avenue, Fairfield, CT
What: Join us as Professor Brian Wygal discusses recent discoveries at the Holzman site in Tanana
Valley, Alaska. His work there has revealed evidence of food preparation, camp fires and ivory tools in
association with large mammal remains and a nearly complete mammoth tusk dated to 14,100 years ago. Wygal, an
associate professor of anthropology at Adelphi University, is the director of the Adelphi University Archaeology
Laboratory and Archaeological Field Methods in Alaska summer programs for college students.
For additional information, please contact Jill Husbands at 860-531-9378.
• Eastern States Archaeological Federation (EASF) - Annual Meeting
When: Thursday-Sunday, November 2-5, 2017
Where: Holiday Inn, 35 Governor Winthrop Blvd, New London, CT 06320
What: Co-sponsored by the Massachusetts Archaeological Society and the ASC. Thursday, November 2 will
include a tour of the Mashantucket Pequot Museum and the site of a 17th century fort nearby. Friday through
Sunday will feature papers delivered by archaeologists representing 12 states from Virginia to Maine, and a
Saturday night banquet with Kevin McBride as the featured speaker. ESAF has not met in Connecticut since 1989,
so this is a rare opportunity to see the very latest in archaeology from around the east.
> The EASF web site can be accessed by clicking esaf-archeology.org.
> Note: This event is being hosted in part by the Archaeological Society of Connecticut
(ASC) and is being held in lieu of their normal Fall Meeting.