Wickers Creek Site/Delaware Homecoming NY 5/1

Sandy Sunderland (wasicuwin@qed.net)
Mon, 28 Apr 1997 12:00:00 -0400


Please join us for the third annual Delaware Homecoming at Mercy College
Auditorium (N.Broadway) in Dobbs Ferry at 7:00pm for a special event
featuring the Moravian Delaware (Ontario). There will be speakers,
storytelling, arts and crafts, and the Two Rivers Drum Circle. The $15
price of admission includes a free quilt raffle ticket. The event is
being sponsored by F.O.W.C.A.S. (Friends of the Wickers Creek
Archaeological Site and Ferry Sloops Inc.)

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Mercy College is adjacent to an old archaeological site. The thriving
village of Wecquaesgeek was first visited by Henry Hudson in 1609. By the
late 18th century, the Weckquaesgeek were extinct. About 10,000 artifacts
have been excavated from the site (many by amateur collectors). Some of
the artifacts uncovered appear to have sacred significance. *No burials
have been found at this site* however there may be some nearby. Because of
the village's prime location on the eastern bank of the Hudson River, it
was probably occupied for an extremely long time. Authorities feel many
layers of artifacts still remain and many people feel that the location
should become a park and "Learning Center"

At this time the site is threatened with the development of townhouses
called "The Landing" probably honoring Hudson's "discovery". You may help
by attending the event if you are nearby or by sending a post card to Mayor
Donald Marra; Town Hall; Dobbs Ferry NY 10522 explaining the importance of
protecting this site. I would be very willing to hand deliver your e-mail
messages to Mayor Marra but snail mail is in someways even more effective
in these situations.

Sken:nen kenhak
Sandy