Underground RailRoad at SRAC Tuesday, Nov. 1

 The Stage is Being Set for  Night to Remember...

"$150 REWARD. Run away from the subscriber, on Sunday night, 27th inst., my NEGRO GIRL, Lear Green, about 18 years of age, black complexion, round-featured, good-looking and ordinary size; she had on and with her when she left, a tan-colored silk bonnet, a dark plaid silk dress, a light mouslin delaine, also one watered silk cape and one tan colored cape..."

Lear Green would spend the last three years of her life in freedom in Elmira, NY.

Using actual historic records, teaching artist Vicie Rolling of "FRAMING THE PAST STORYTELLNG" will present "Lear Green" a young girl's story of growing up a slave and finding new hope through the underground railroad and freedom in Elmira, NY at the Susquehanna River Archaeolocial Center (SRAC) at 345 Broad Street, Waverly, NY on Tuesday, November 1st, from 6:30 – 7:30pm.

In over 38 years of teaching and performing Rolling has crafted a unique set of skills. These skills brought to workshops; readings and one woman show formats make stories come alive! Originally from New Jersey, Vicie lives in upstate New York. She has appeared regularly as a Motivational Speaker for regional and national conferences. Her One-Woman Shows have been staged at major fortune 500 companies as special events.

An admission donation of $6 for adults, $4 for SRAC members is requested, students attend for free. Free admission to the SRAC exhibit hall is included in this donation. For more information, visit www.SRACenter.org , email info@SRAcenter.org, or call the Center at 607-565-7960.

Fused Glass Ornaments & Jewelry Class Nov. 12

Bone Spearhead Found In Mastodon May Rewrite Prehistory of North America

The University of Copenhagen reports a new and astonishing chapter has been added to North American prehistory in regards to the first hunters and their hunt for the now extinct giant mammoth-like creatures – the mastodons. Professor Eske Willerslev’s team from the Centre for GeoGenetics, University of Copenhagen, has in collaboration with Michael Waters’ team at the Center for the Study of the First Americans, University of Texas A&M, shown that the hunt for large mammals occurred at least 1,000 years before previously assumed.
This new study concludes that the first-known hunters in North America can now be dated back at least 14,000 years. The results are published today in the internationally renowned scientific journal Science.

“I am sure that especially the Native Americans are pleased with the results of the study. It is further proof that humans have been present in North America for longer than previously believed. The “Clovis First” theory, which many scientists swore to just a few years back, has finally been buried with the conclusions of this study,” says Professor Eske Willerslev, director of the Centre for GeoGenetics at the Natural History Museum of Denmark, University of Copenhagen.

Spearhead found in mastodon

It is the finding and analysis of a tip from a man-made projectile point (spearhead) gathered from the remains of a mastodon that is behind the rewriting of North American prehistory. The spearhead, which itself was carved out from a mastodon-bone, was found at the Manis site in the state of Washington when archaeologists excavated a mastodon in the late 1970s.

However, 30 years would pass before a team of researchers was able to put a date on the spearhead and establish the identity of both the bone and the spearhead that had been embedded into the rib of the defeated mastodon. This was done through, amongst other things, DNA analysis, protein sequencing, advanced computer technology, Carbon-14 dating as well as comparisons with other mastodon findings in North America, for instance in the state of Wisconsin.

Clovis culture challenged

The first traces of the hunt for mastodons in North America have previously been attributed the so-called Clovis culture. Clovis culture dates back approximately 13,000 years and is viewed as a type of common culture ancestral for all Native American tribes in North America. (The photo here shows the point point still inside the mastodon remains.Click to enlarge.)

To read the full article from the University of Copenhagen website- click here.

Large Trade Pipe Collection Donated to SRAC

(WAVERLY, NY) Fifty three trade pipes have been donated to the collection on display at the Susquehanna River Archaeological Center (SRAC) located in Waverly, NY by Richard Jackson of Vestal, NY. The pipes will be used to tell the history of early Native American trade as well as the use of tobacco. Tobacco smoking and clay pipes were introduced to Europeans by the Native Americans of South and North America.  By the 17^th and 18^th centuries mass produced European and American clay pipes became a trade item and were bartered back to Native American tribes. The pipes that were donated by Jackson represent many different styles of pipes that were traded by the Europeans over hundreds of years.

SRAC’s cofounder and executive director, Deb Twigg commented, “Dick has been involved with SRAC and the New York State Tri- Cities Chapter of Archaeology for many years. In his later years his health has kept him from being as active as he would like, but he still tries to attend several events per year at SRAC. We are so proud to exhibit his collection as a part of the ever growing SRAC collection that now is comprised of 17 local collections. His collection will always be identified in his name, as we always recognize the family that has donated the artifacts in our Exhibit Hall with their name and photos and sometimes even a video of them describing the artifacts. The Jackson/SRAC Collection began last year and it continues to grow as he adds more items as he chooses.”

SRAC is located at 345 Broad Street, Waverly, NY and the new collection can be viewed during normal business hours.

Turn Your Old Gold, Silver, & Platinum into CASH and Support SRAC!

Old coins, jewelry, silverware, watches, and even dental gold can be traded in for immediate cash at the Susquehanna River Archaeological Center at 345 Broad Street in Waverly, NY on Saturday, November 19th from 11am to 7pm. Representatives from the nation's largest gold refining business, "The Gold Refinery" have agreed to host a fundraiser at the SRAC that will allow guests to walk away with instant cash for their many things they can find around their homes and supporting SRAC as well.

DOWNLOAD A FLIER TO HELP US SPREAD THE WORD HERE!

The Gold Refinery is one of the largest direct refinery brokers in the nation and a fully licensed, family run business. They are America’s pioneer in professionally organized and operated gold parties and fundraisers. They currently operate nationwide and in Canada and are rapidly expanding as the price of gold maintains its historic highs. The Gold Refinery deals in such high volume that it allows them to purchase gold at higher prices than jewelry stores or pawn shops. All gold is shipped directly to the refiner, melted and sold to various investors and institutions. As the party host, SRAC will earn 10% of all gold purchased just for hosting, and you could be amazed at the money you can make from things that are laying around your house gathering dust!

Three ways to take part in this event:

1.) Visit SRAC on November 19th with your items, and have one of the representatives analyze and assess them. Then you decide if you want to sell them for the price they offer. If you decide to sell them, you get the cash immediately! SRAC will automatically get 10% paid to us from the gold refinery just for you coming to our event and selling your item!

2.) Drop off your items at SRAC or send them to us in the mail and we will put them in a special envelope and have the Gold Refinery representatives assess your items and send you the cash! Again, SRAC will automatically get 10% paid to us from the gold refinery just for you coming to our event and selling your item! (Call Deb Twigg @ (607-727-3111 for details on how to do this.)

3.) Donate your items to SRAC and WE will have the representatives assess and donate the cash directly to SRAC!

Let's face it, virtually everyone has unwanted silver, gold or platinum laying around their house that they no longer want. So don't wait - gather up it up and do something good for yourself and SRAC this year! It's a great way to make some extra cash AND support a community organization!

Thank you for taking part in this event in whatever way you choose!

Questions? email info@SRACenter.org !

Jewelry and Beading Class at SRAC November 5th

Underground Railroad to be Discussed at SRAC November 1st

"$150 REWARD. Run away from the subscriber, on Sunday night, 27th inst., my NEGRO GIRL, Lear Green, about 18 years of age, black complexion, round-featured, good-looking and ordinary size; she had on and with her when she left, a tan-colored silk bonnet, a dark plaid silk dress, a light mouslin delaine, also one watered silk cape and one tan colored cape..."

Lear Green would spend the last three years of her life in freedom in Elmira, NY.

Using actual historic records, teaching artist Vicie Rolling of "FRAMING THE PAST STORYTELLNG" will present "Lear Green" a young girl's story of growing up a slave and finding new hope through the underground railroad and freedom in Elmira, NY at the Susquehanna River Archaeolocial Center (SRAC) at 345 Broad Street, Waverly, NY on Tuesday, November 1st, from 6:30 – 7:30pm.

In over 38 years of teaching and performing Rolling has crafted a unique set of skills. These skills brought to workshops; readings and one woman show formats make stories come alive! Originally from New Jersey, Vicie lives in upstate New York. She has appeared regularly as a Motivational Speaker for regional and national conferences. Her One-Woman Shows have been staged at major fortune 500 companies as special events.

An admission donation of $6 for adults, $4 for SRAC members and students is requested. Free admission to the SRAC exhibit hall is included in this donation. For more information, visit www.SRACenter.org , email info@SRAcenter.org, or call the Center at 607-565-7960.

DrumBeats 2011 - A HUGE SUCCESS!

We want to thank the hundreds of people who attended this year's 8th Annual DrumBeats Through Time - a free event that SRAC puts on in order for the community to celebrate our Native American heritage - past, present and future.

Pam Jacobsen attended the event and sent me a note after attending DrumBeats - "I also want to say thank you to all that made today at SRAC possible. The members were treated to a wonderful meal, great meeting and a some great prizes. Al Parker a Seneca Nation historian gave an awesome presentation...One of the most interesting history/life lessons I've ever heard.... So if you are not yet a member..become one. If you've never been to the SRAC in Waverly, you are missing out on the best thing to hit Waverly in the 40+ years I have lived here. There is something for everyone at SRAC. It was a Great Day!!"

To view a slideshow from the event - Click Here

SRAC "DrumBeats Through Time" THIS Saturday (October 15th)

Last minute plans are underway at the Susquehanna River Archaeological Center (SRAC) in Waverly, NY in order to get ready for the 8^th annual free community event, DrumBeats Through Time to be held Saturday, October 15^th from 1-5pm.

Along with the nationally awarded Buffalo Creek Dancers performance from 3-4pm, there will be free admission to the SRAC Exhibit Hall, vendors selling crafts and artwork, many private local artifact collections rarely seen by the public, and special archaeological exhibit titled “Time and Tradition” which is a professionally designed educational exhibit, created in collaboration with archaeologists from Binghamton University’s Anthropology Department, and professional designers from the Roberson Museum in Binghamton. The Seneca Historian Alvin Parker will also be sharing the history of the Seneca people in a presentation at 1:30pm. SRAC’s Deb Twigg said, “This year’s event will be bigger and better with many new things we have never had before. Best of all, it is free for everyone to attend and enjoy with family and friends. We are just really proud to bring so many unique and exceptional events to our community.”

The SRAC annual membership luncheon meeting precedes the public event from 11:30am – 1pm, with the doors opening to the public from 1-5pm. To learn more, visit www.SRACenter.org/events or call the Center at (607)565-7960.

Susquehanna Woodland Designs at SRAC

Susquehanna Woodland Design’s Mike McGrath is a well respected artist who specializes in flintknapping, artifacts, arrowheads, and pottery reproduction and so much more. He has created replicas for many large venues including the Carnegie Museum and even the San Diego Zoo. Now McGrath has added the Susquehanna River Archaeological Center (SRAC) in Waverly, NY to his long list of customers.

SRAC gift shop visitors can purchase McGrath’s work including replicas of pottery, stone tools and arrowheads like those that were made and used by the Native Americans in our region hundreds of years ago. 

SRAC’s Deb Twigg said, “We are bulking up items in our gift shop before our DrumBeats event when the national award winning Seneca Buffalo Creek Dancers return on October 15th and of course for the upcoming holiday season. If you haven’t been to SRAC lately, you will be amazed at the amount of items we have for sale from kids learning toys, jewelry, rocks and minerals, pottery, eclectic gifts and a lot of art by local artists. Adding Mike’s replicas to the long list of new items is exciting for us, because it can’t be found anywhere else.”  McGrath added, “I’m excited to be a part of the SRAC experience. Replica work is near and dear to the heart of what I like to do with my flintknapping and primitive art skills. If you are interested in arrowheads, artifacts, and flintknapping, I know you will enjoy my work at SRAC.” 

Twigg continued, “If people are looking for more ways to help our community as a whole– shop local. Studies show that even modest changes in local shopping habits can generate substantial economic impact for our whole community, and SRAC is just one of the many great places to shop in the Valley area.”

SRAC’s Gift Shop is open Tuesdays through Fridays from 1-5pm and Saturdays 11-5pm. To learn more, visit www.SRACenter.org or call the Center at (607) 565-7960.