Our trip to the Mission House in Stockbridge was a great success. It was a beautiful, brisk day and everyone was dressed well. We were sent on a quest through Stockbridge. We discovered tools, artifacts, clothing, and photographs in the museum. Each child was given a map with clues to help with our quest. We traveled down the road to Chief Konkapot’s memorial stone, then over to the bell tower, which was originally the spot for John Sergeant’s Little Church In The Wilderness and the Meeting House. Then on to the Indian Monument, which they claim is a burial ground for the Stockbridge Native Americans. We talked about it being a sacred place and each child placed an offering on the monument. We were quiet and respectful. We looked at the Housatonic River (an Indian name) and tried to imagine corn, bean, and squash fields in the sunshine. The Stockbridge Indians now live on a reservation in Wisconsin. It was a good way to begin our study of local Native Americans.
