Jeff Mesaros shows off the flintknapping method he uses to make arrowheads by hand. He demonstrated his skills at Chautauqua-Wawasee and Syracuse-Wawasee Historical Museum’s program on the local history of northeastern Indiana.

Text and Photos
By LILLI DWYER
Staff Writer

This month is Indiana Archaeology Month, and Chautauqua-Wawasee and the Syracuse-Wawasee Historical Museum kicked it off by partnering up for their fourth annual series of programs exploring the local history of northeastern Indiana Saturday, Sept. 2.

The program, held at the Wawasee Conservancy Foundation, featured a variety of activities showcasing life in the 1800s. Costumed reenactors included a French marine, a duo of frontiersmen and a fur trader, all of whom showed off artifacts, some real and some reproductions, and gave presentations about the relationships between pioneers and the local Native Americans.

There was also a live flintknapping demonstration, a booth where attendees could bring their own historical artifacts to be appraised, and a display of objects found around Lake Wawasee via metal detector, including a hands-on metal detector demonstration.

Museum Director Jamie Clemons gave a live demonstration of a historical weapon called an atlatl, inviting attendees to try one out for themselves. According to Clemons, the atlatl is a predecessor to the bow and arrow. It dates back about 20,00 years and has been used by humans in cultures all over the world. Clemons commented on the day and the importance of historical programs like these, saying, “I just don’t want people to think that the people who were here before us were backwards.”

Syracuse-Wawasee Historical Museum Director Jamie Clemons gave a demonstration of a historical weapon called an atlatl at the historical program Saturday, Sept. 2. Here, she is preparing to use an atlatl to launch a spear across a 35-yard field.

Historical reenactor Tom Wojcinski, dressed as a French fur trader, talks about the 1800s trade system. The collection of goods on his table represents everything a person could have bought with one beaver pelt.

A sample of the reproduction trade goods that could be bought for one beaver pelt, including a few knives, beads, and vermillion dye.

Angie Butler shows off a black powder pistol found on the shore of Lake Wawasee with a metal detector.