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Three-Day Native American “Digging Through History” Program

Annual Three-Day Native American “Digging Through History” Program

Chautauqua-Wawasee and Syracuse-Wawasee Historical Museum are collaborating to offer the fourth annual series of programs that explore the local history of northeastern Indiana. The series offers three FREE programs, September 12-14. The September 12 and 13 programs are being hosted at the Syracuse Community Center, while the September 14th program will be outdoors at WACF’s Ruddell Pavilion. Each program features presenters with expert knowledge and provides an interactive environment for discussion and hands-on examination of artifacts.

Trevor Tipton presented here in 2021, and returns on Thursday, September 12, to discuss “Tools and Weapons of the Indigenous Peoples.” (6:30-7:30 p.m. at the Syracuse Community Center)

Have you ever wondered how mankind survived thousands of years ago? What animals did they hunt? How did they kill their prey? What tools were used by prehistoric man? This will be the focus of Trevor Tipton’s presentation. His artifact collection, found mostly in Noble County, will be on display. Attendees will be able to handle weapons from centuries ago.

Then, on Friday, Dr. Mark Schurr, a professor in the Department of Anthropology at the University of Notre Dame, will speak on the topic “Archaeology of the French in Northern Indiana – Does it Exist?” (6:30-7:30 p.m. at the Syracuse Community Center)

The first historical record of the French presence in northern Indiana dates to 1679 when Réné Robert Cavalier, Sieur de Lasalle traveled along what is now the St. Joseph River to the Kankakee River using the portage in South Bend. However, the French established only one permanent settlement in the northern
Indiana (Fort Miami in what is now Ft. Wayne). Very little archaeological evidence is available about the French presence in the region. Historic records and a few site investigations show what kind of evidence we should look for if we want to document evidence of French activities in northern Indiana, including in
places like Kosciusko County.

On Saturday, September 14, seven individual activities and experts share information on what life was like back in the 1800s. (10:00 a.m. – Noon, WACF’s Ruddell Pavillion)

These include a demonstration of the Atlatl tool, flint knapping, and presentations by a 1754 French Marine, Indiana Department of Natural Resources Archaeological Division, metal detecting, and others.  With so much to see and do, this Saturday program has been incredibly popular with children and families.

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Join us for a Walk Down Memory Lane-2024

Step Back in Time with “A Walk Down Memory Lane”

Chautauqua Wawasee and the Syracuse-Wawasee Historical Museum are teaming up once again to present the second annual “A Walk Down Memory Lane” event. This free program, open to all ages, takes place on July 20th from 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM at the Oakwood Resort in Syracuse.

The event will feature screenings of historic films showcasing Syracuse and Lake Wawasee, including from the Teetor and Rodabaugh families, among others. These cinematic treasures offer a unique glimpse into the lives and landscapes of yesteryear, showcasing how our area has evolved over time.

In addition to the film screenings, attendees will have the opportunity to contribute their own oral histories. Those unable to share their stories at the event can arrange a separate time with the Syracuse-Wawasee Historical Museum to record their recollections.

Don’t miss this chance to immerse yourself in local history, share your stories, and connect with fellow community members. Mark your calendars for July 20th and join us at the Oakwood Resort for an afternoon of nostalgia, laughter, and discovery.
Remember, admission is free, but the memories you’ll make are priceless!

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Wanted: Old Home Movies from Syracuse-Wawasee for the “Syracuse/Wawasee Walk Down Memory Lane” project.

Wanted: Old Home Movies from Syracuse-Wawasee for the “Syracuse/Wawasee Walk Down Memory Lane” project.

Lights, camera, action! Chautauqua-Wawasee and the Syracuse-Wawasee Historical Museum are teaming up for a blockbuster multi-year project to collect and preserve pre-1975 ephemeral films and home movies of the Syracuse and Wawasee area. The project, titled “Syracuse/Wawasee Walk Down Memory Lane”, is on a mission to track down and immortalize historical footage of our beloved community — but they need your help!

The first phase of the project kicked off in April of last year, culminating in a show-stopping premiere of three historic films from Lake Wawasee on July 22nd at the Syracuse Community Center. The program proved popular enough that the project will continue in 2024.”Since last year, we’ve uncovered a treasure trove of new vintage material,” Ann Garceau, the Syracuse Museum’s project mastermind, noted. “In anticipation of this year’s encore on July 20, we’re putting out an all-call for additional video gems!”A glittering showcase of selected footage is scheduled for this summer’s blockbuster event at Oakwood on July 20. Don’t miss your chance to be a part of Syracuse’s cinematic history!

The project is on the hunt for home movies and ephemeral films made locally before 1975 – black and white or color, it doesn’t matter! If you’ve got video materials that could contribute to capturing the Syracuse region’s storied past, give Jamie Clemons a call at 574-457-3599 (Syracuse-Wawasee Historical Museum), or reach out to Erin Lomax at 574-238-6089 or erin.lomax@gmail.com (Chautauqua-Wawasee).

Let’s make movie magic together!

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Wawasee Walk Down Memory Lane Project

Chautauqua Wawasee regularly teams with the Syracuse-Wawasee Historical Museum to provide programs focused on local (Syracuse-area) history, typically related to archaeology, Native American artifacts, and people. Feedback Forms are provided at these events so we can receive feedback on program quality, speaker quality, etc. including requests for desired future programs. Our most frequent request is to provide More Programs on Local History. This is what prompted the Wawasee Walk Down Memory Lane project.

The 2023 program will attract an audience to view three historic videos:

1. A 1937 video of someone cruising in a boat videotaping the Wawasee shoreline and lakefront cottages as they cruise
2. A promotional video for the Spink Wawasee Hotel (built in 1926, closed in 1947)
3. A 1957 video of the Chinese Gardens and cottage on Wawasee

After the showing, attendees will be invited to share their memories via an Open Microphone; these will be recorded and limited to 5 minutes at this venue, but invited for a longer session at the Syracuse-Wawasee Historic Museum to record the individual’s memories as oral history. The event’s promotion will discuss the need for additional “home movies” that might be stored in attics, closets, basements, etc. This will be requested at the event too, with the hope that more historic video material will emerge. The Syracuse-Wawasee Historical Museum will borrow (take temporary possession) to process materials that emerge. With the owner’s signed approval, local home movies would be digitized and made available for public showing at phase two 2024 event.

WHEN: July 22, 2:00 – 3:30
WHERE: Syracuse Community Center

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second annual Native American series

Third Annual Native American Series | September 2-4

Chautauqua-Wawasee and Syracuse-Wawasee Historical Museum are collaborating to offer the third annual series of three programs that explore the history of Native Americans in northeastern Indiana.  The three programs are presented over a three-day period, September 2-4, with the first two one-hour programs held at the Syracuse Community Center; the third program will be held from 9:00AM to noon on Saturday, September 4, at the Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation pavilion.  All programs are offered free of charge and open to the public. Each program features presenters with expert knowledge and provides an interactive environment for discussion and hands-on examination of artifacts.

 

This year’s programs are:

 

Thursday, September 2, 6:30 – 7:30 at the Syracuse Community Center

Dr. Jeff Pyle will discuss and display a portion of the renowned Fred Bartol Collection of Prehistoric Indian Artifacts.  This is one of the finest collections of mid-west pre-historic Indian relics.  It was compiled by Warsaw’s Fred Bartol, who began collecting at a young age and collected his entire life. Upon his death in 1972, the collection was packed up and put away until Dr. Jeff Pyle acquired it in 2019.

 

Friday, September 3, 6:30 – 7:30 at the Syracuse Community Center

Notre Dame professors and researchers, Dr. Mark Schurr and Dr. Madeleine McLeester will be speaking about what archaeologists know about northern Indiana from the very first humans to settle here over 10,000 years ago through the historic occupations of the Potawatomi and Miami, with a special focus on Kosciusko County. The speakers will also present some new results from their ongoing research, the Kankakee Protohistory Project, which investigates how past societies used the Kankakee Marsh environment as well as changes to the marsh itself through time. Join us as for an evening filled with everything from woolly mammoths to sprawling mound centers, and uncover Indiana’s unique and rich archaeological past.

 

Saturday, September 4, 9:00 – Noon at the Wawasee Area Conservancy Ruddell Pavilion

 

Five individual programs are being offered:

 

Myaamia (Miami Native American) Plant Traditions             9:00 – 10:30

Led by Dani Tippmann at WACF Amphitheater

Follow Myaamia history as we look at the lives of the plants who accompany us on our journey through time. [See insert for more details]

 

French Influence in the Area                                                      10:30 – Noon

Led by Joe Zdziebko

Joe Zdziebko, dressed as a 1750s French Marine will display and discuss his equipment, uniform, musket, furs, maps, etc.  He will also talk about old sayings that are still used today.  [See insert for more details]

 

Flintknapping Hands-on                                                               10:30 – Noon

Led by Jeff Mesaros

Want to know how native American artifacts were made by hand?  Jeff Mesaros will show you how.  And here’s your chance to try making one!

 

Kayak Display                                                                                  10:30 – Noon

Led by Mike Smith

Mike will display and describe his hand-built 17-foot sea kayak.

 

Archaeological Dig for Children                                                   10:30 – Noon

Led by Jamie Clemons

Through this hands-on activity, students will “dig” for artifacts, documenting findings through drawings and notes.

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