On the shores of the Patuxent River in Maryland, the Jefferson Patterson Park & Museum is a state park situated on 560 acres. The land was donated to the state for the purpose of preserving and interpreting the archaeological resources and history of the property. It has been inhabited for over 9000 years by Native Americans, plantation owners, tenants, free and enslaved Africans, and indentured servants.
Jefferson Patterson purchased the property in 1932. Researching and using modern methods of farming, he established a model farm and raised tobacco, soybeans, corn, and cattle until his death in 1977. He raised prize-winning Black Aberdeen Angus cattle.
Also on the site is a replica Indian Village depicting the life of the Eastern Woodland Algonquian Indians, which is where I took all of my pictures.
Holly bush with berries. Holly is very prevalent in this area.
Indian village:
Facts and information from the various plaques around the village:
For the Native people in this area, the new year started in the spring, the time of 'budding and blossoming.' Summer was the second season, the time of the 'highest sun.' Next came the 'earing of the corn' season when the corn began to ripen which was celebrated with the Green Corn Festival. In autumn, the season of the 'falling leaf,' the Indians dispursed into smaller groups to gather nuts or hunt game. Winter, the fifth season, was called cohonks for the sound of geese flying overhead.
Clothing -- Men and women wore deer hide or woven plant-fiber aprons around their waists; children were generally naked until puberty. Bear grease mixed with red ochre was used to repel insects and to provide insulation in cold weather. Men in this region usually shaved the right or bow side of their heads so that the hair wasn't caught when they were shooting game. The hair on the other side grew long and was tied up with twine and feathers. They wore cloaks of deerskin, woven fibers, furs or feathers in the winter and for ceremonies. Necklaces of shell, seed and clay beads, animal teeth, and copper pieces were worn to show status and wealth.
Family, Customs, and Beliefs -- In the Chesapeake Bay region, typically one extended family lived in each house: mother, father, children, plus some grandparents, aunts, uncles, and even cousins. Inheritance of both status and posessions followed one's matrilineal line -- from the mother's brother rather than the father. Social responsibilities were learned from one's uncle(s). Elders were respected for their knowledge and wisdom.
Larger villages contained a chief's house; often the largest structure in the village. Governing was accomplished through consultation; the chiefs consulted their councils of priests, war captains, and elders when making decisions.
Eastern Woodland Algonquians believed that al plants and animals had spirits. Before and after a hunt, they gave thanks to these spirits to ensure cooperation in the future. They worshiped two main gods: one was a benevolent god, while the other caused bad things to happen. In an effort to avoid trouble, they held rituals to appease the malevolent god. Ceremonies occurred at special times of the year, such as at harvest, when children entered adulthood, or when guests were present.
Chestnut Trees -- Missing from our forests today, the American chestnut once made up 25-40% of the woods. People and animals competed for the plentiful nutritious nuts. The bark was used to cover houses, and the wood made strong, long-lasting tool handles. Sadly, the American chestnut disappeared from the Eastern Woodlands, including the Chesapeake watershed, when a fungus from Japan infected the trees in the early 20th century. Plant scientists are trying to develop a fungus-resistant variety. Hopefully, the small chestnuts planted here will survive for many years.
These posts were usually set in the middle of the village and near their "Quoiccasan" (House of Religious Worship). They were used for celebration and dance.
The Patuxent River:
