|
BOCES Acquires Collection of Native American Artifacts
A collection of Native American artifacts, some estimated to be as old as 3,000 years, has been acquired by the Center for Environmental Education (CEE) of Putnam/Northern Westchester Board of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES).
The collection - of arrowheads, tools, musical instruments, baskets, and handmade leather clothing, some ancient and some of more recent vintage - will be used to enhance CEE's program of Native American education presented to area schools.
Though the monetary value of the collection has yet to be determined, Dorna Schroeter, CEE coordinator, says, "As an educational resource, it's invaluable."
The artifacts, acquired this summer, were originally collected by Peggy Turco, a Dutchess County author and lecturer well known in the region for her interest in Native American life. "She gave wonderful Native American presentations to kids and schools," Ms. Schroeter says. "BOCES is fortunate to be able to continue that tradition with this fabulous collection."
BOCES' Native American programs for schools begin in late October and continue through November. CEE brings the programs to schools on request, or makes it possible for classes to go to the agency's Madden Outdoor Education Center in Kent, where the collection is augmented by an authentic-style wigwam being constructed by CEE staff with branches and bark found on the 120-acre campus.
| Click ads below
for larger version
|
)
)