The Wonderful Wappingers And Their World—the Untold Story

The Wonderful Wappingers
And Their World—the Untold Story
Natural State University, Winter Semester, Session # 5 of 12 Friday, February 20th, 2025 7-9 pm; Zoom link is https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82647686669
(Note; we return to Thursday classes next week!) Thomas Jefferson once said “an empire of liberty is an oxymoron…” and the story of the Wappingers offers us a reminder of this on Presidents’ Day week, 2025.The friendly Wappingers (Algonquins of the Eastern Hudson Valley southward to Manhattan, often called “the possum clan”) helped the Dutch survive their first winter in America, and then were massacred at Pavonia and Corlears Hook and then Pound Ridge;They sold Hyde Park to the Dutch (FDR knew all about it and was inspired by their cooperative spirit) then were driven out of Shekomico at gunpoint; protected George Washington’s flank at Cortlandt Ridge but then were driven out of Oquaga only to be among those killed at Gnadenhutten, Ohio. We will discuss their matrilineal “open society” a complex and uniquely flexible multi-cultural group (symbolized by the Mohican owl, the Wangunk possum and the Taino frog) that inspired New York City to become likewise progressive. We will also discuss their ongoing relationship with the “wolf clan” Munsee Delaware across the river. Single classes $20.25. Make checks to Evan Pritchard and send to Box 259 Rosendale, NY 12472.Rosendale, NY 12472. Or use paypal using evan.pritchard7@gmail.com. Registration for sessions 5 through 12 (8 sessions) is $120, other discounts available.