Bakerville Library presents "Native American Communities in Western Connecticut: Surviving European Settlement"

Join us in the Bakerville Library Annex for a presentation by Dr. Lucianne Lavin on Native American interaction with European Settlers and much more.

The history, culture and traditions of the first settlers of western Connecticut will be the subject of Dr. Lucianne Lavin's illustrated PowerPoint presentation. Connecticut’s indigenous communities have long, rich histories that extend back to when they shared Mother Earth with mastodons and other extinct animals. Ignored or themselves falsely labeled extinct by some 19th century historians, their story is one of accommodation and adaptation to rapidly changing physical and social environments after contact with European traders and explorers. This presentation will describe their complex tribal societies and sophisticated socio-political traditions just prior to contact, the initial Native American-European contact situation, the effect of European settlement, and the survival strategies Native leadership used to cope with the constantly changing social landscapes. Native American communities remain a vibrant part of Connecticut life today. 

Visit www.bakervillelibrary.org for additional information on this and other upcoming programs.