Indigenous Peoples of Portsmouth during the Colonial Period

Many people may be unaware of the influences and contributions of Indigenous peoples, such as the Narragansett and the Pokanoket, in the early history of Portsmouth. There is a general feeling and misconception that once Aquidneck Island was transferred to the English, Indigenous peoples were no longer a part of Portsmouth history. This lecture will attempt to shed light on at least a few of the stories of Indigenous people in Portsmouth, along with how some of the English colonists interacted with them. Stephen Luce, a Portsmouth native, is on the Board of Directors for the Portsmouth Historical Society.  After working  many years in state and town government, he obtained his M.A. History from the University of Rhode Island with an Archaeology focus. He has participated in several archaeological digs and most recently completed a survey of all the historic cemeteries in Portsmouth along with discovering and recording several new burial grounds and markers. He is Chairman of the Melville Park Committee

$5 for non-members