Experience the Harvest and Hunt at Sandstone Visitor Center

Date: September 10, 2014
Contact: Dave Bieri, 304-465-2516

Living history interpreters portray the culture of the Shawnee.

Dave Bieri

Glen Jean, West Virginia, September 10, 2014—Join us at Sandstone Visitor Center on Sunday, September 21, 2014, for a special living history program about the American Indian culture of the New River Gorge region. Living history interpreters will set up an 18th century camp and be on hand to discuss the culture of the American Indians of the area including men and women's social roles, agricultural practices, warrior-hunter skills, trail food preparation, and tracking prowess.

In the 18^th century, September was the month when the American Indians of the Middle Appalachian region were often engaged in harvesting and preserving garden foods and wild foods, while at the same time preparing for their winter hunts.  The hills west and east of the New River Gorge area were favorite hunting grounds.  The river, typically low in September, was a good place to collect mussels and trap fish.  Shawnee, Delaware, Mingo, and Cherokee hunting parties would travel hundreds of miles from autumn to spring, hunting for deer skins to trade for European manufactured goods.  Small family groups of women, men, and children would sustain themselves on preserved garden foods, wild gathered plants, and game while they traveled in the region.

The living history interpreters of Trails Inc. will present an all-day program of interactive and informative demonstrations and discussions, sharing their impressive knowledge of woods lore and woodcraft that allowed the family groups to survive and thrive during their hunting expeditions. Ronald, Gwendolyn, and Roslyn McAllister will join Dianne Anestis and Doug Wood in a makeshift hunting camp to help park visitors visualize this interesting period.  In the case ofinclement weather, the program will be moved indoors. Bring your own family stories of your ancestors to share with the interpreters. Visitors of all ages are welcome. Stop by any time between 10:00 am and 3:30 pm. Sandstone Visitor Center is located just north of the I-64 and State Route 20 interchange at exit 139 (the Hinton/Sandstone exit). For more information call Sandstone Visitor Center at 304-466-0417.

For more information about area National Park Service sites visit https://www.nps.gov/neri, check out the park Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/newrivergorgenps, or stop by any New River Gorge National River visitor center.