W I L D & S C E N I C Fourth in a series of newsletters to keep the community informed about Wild & Scenic Study process Inside this issue… Issue # 4 Summer 2009 Focus on: Native Americans Economic Study Meet the Committee of the Farmington Valley Studies measure Members Archaeological record and oral economic impact of Committee members from history reveal settlement the Farmington River Granby and East Granby patterns share their stories Page 2 Page 3 Page 5 Kayak Races Return to the Tariffville Gorge Serious competitive sport in which the competitors pass through ruled the day and spilled over to attendees. kayaking returned to the “gates” (or two poles spaced about 3 feet Tariffville Gorge area of apart suspended from wires strung across the The Triple Crown was organized largely by the Farmington River this river) along the length of the course. Most of Jamie McEwan with lots of help from Frank spring!! The New England the 21 strategically placed gates had to be Haviland, Andy Kuhlberg, Keech Leclair and Whitewater Triple Crown passed through going downriver, but a few Pete Cassebeer. Jamie won a bronze medal Championship, sanctioned required the kayaker to pass through the gate in the 1972 Olympics, was a World Cup by USA Canoe/Kayak, and going upstream. Racers were timed, but Champion in 1988, and competed in the 1992 took place the last weekend points were subtracted for missing gates. Olympics. Community support was quite in April. It was titled “Triple Crown” The course was tough, with many expert evident at the events. The Tariffville Gorge because the competition was divided into boaters missing some well-placed gates. The provides an invaluable combination of three distinct events. The Championship third event was freestyle. In this case, the convenient access and first-class whitewater. drew quite a few top notch competitors, kayakers were required to perform tricks or And don’t worry—if you missed out on this including former and current Olympians and maneuvers within a given amount of time year’s excitement, the 2010 Triple Crown is some of the world’s top play boaters. While while on a designated wave or “hydraulic”. already being planned! For more Connecticut boaters had good representation, Points were assigned based on difficulty for information, visit:www.tvilletriplecrown.com competitors came from as far away as spins, cartwheels, or flips/loops, with the Story by: Mike Krammen Colorado, Georgia, Maryland, Tennessee, requirement that competitors remain in the and Canada. The weather and water level “hole” following the trick. A knowledgeable Photos: Bill Duncan & Mike Krammen were superb for a fun filled happening. The emcee kept spectators informed of event Gorge first saw serious slalom-racing back in progress throughout. the 1960’s, including hosting the U.S. Team Trials and an Olympic Trials qualifier race. The Saturday events were open to all Spectators of the Triple Crown were able to registered competitors. Competition on get up close, with the river banks crowded Sunday was limited to competitors with top down near the beach. point totals. The overall point leader on Sunday, after combining the scores from each What were the three racing events? The wild event, won a $1000 prize in each of the water event was a flat out race from a starting men’s and women’s categories. Eric “EJ” point in Tariffville to just below the Jackson, four time World Freestyle Kayak Spoonville dam. The racers were ranked on Champion, 1992 Olympian, and co-founder their times to complete the course. Next was of Jackson Kayak, won the men’s prize. a slalom race from a starting point in Katrina Van Wijk, a Canadian Slalom Tariffville to the beach area just past the play Champion in 2007, won the woman’s prize. Competitors get ready to ride the rapids as hole, a spot where kayakers practice rolls and The kayaking community is pretty close, and spectators take in the thrills from the shore. other moves. Slalom racing is an Olympic while the competition was stiff, camaraderie www.lowerfarmingtonriver.org / www.salmonbrookwildandscenic.org W I L D & S C E N I C Focus on: Native Americans & the Farmington River Thousands of years ago, ancient hunters and villages in Windsor, Farmington, and England Indians to land given by the Oneidas gatherers followed herds of animals along the Simsbury. of New York. In 1773 Farmington Indians fast flowing and winding little river that we signed letters urging other tribes to join the call the Farmington. These ancient people The Pequot War (1636-1638) not only ended move. Four of them petitioned the House of were led by the rhythms of nature, and were the power and culture of the Pequots, but also Representatives, asking for a Colony Law spiritually connected to earth, sky and water. affected Indians throughout Connecticut, Book to use as a guide in the new land. Information about their lives is based on including the Farmington Valley, bringing archaeological evidence and oral histories increasing Colonial control. King Philip’s In 1785 the new tribe, “Brothertown” was carried from generation to generation. War (1675-1676) became the final attempt of formed in New York, uniting educated, the Indians to fight for the land and identity Christianized Indians from 7 tribes, Many artifacts have been found along the lost to Colonial advancement. During this Farmington Indians, Mohegans, Farmington River and its tributaries. war the English Massacoe Plantation by the Narragansetts, Niantics, Groton Pequots, Campsites and rock shelters have been Farmington River in Simsbury was burned Stonington Pequots, and Montauks. Soon located on glacial terraces above the river, in and destroyed by King Philip and his after, Stockbridge Mohicans (which also upland areas and near soapstone quarries. warriors. At this time most of the Massacoe included Indians from the Farmington River Near the junction of the Pequabuck River and Indians, who were friendly to the Colonists, Valley) settled on land adjacent to the the Farmington River in Farmington was a moved to the Housatonic River area and later Brothertown. major camping and trading center. many moved to the Indian town in Archaeological digs there have yielded over Stockbridge, Massachusetts. Both the Brothertown and Stockbridge 100 fire hearths and piles of stone materials. people were forced off their New York lands, and after long journeys and many hardships, The site was visited repeatedly by ancient found land in Wisconsin. The Stockbridge people over thousands of years. It was most Munsee Band of Mohicans was federally frequented in the Middle Archaic Period recognized many years ago and have a large (6000 TO 4000 B.C.). Three major Indian reservation in Wisconsin. The Brothertown trails met here. Native people traveled long Indian Nation which was the first Indian tribe distances on trails which usually followed in the country to receive U.S. citizenship is rivers and streams. The North West Path, finally on the Active List for Federal which approximately follows Route 44, was a As Indian life changed irreversibly, Indians Acknowledgement. They know of their north / south trading route, connecting with from many tribes removed from their original Farmington Valley heritage. It is also our trails that went up into New York State. lands, came to the Farmington Valley. The cultural heritage. local Tunxis Tribe became part of a larger During the Woodland Period (1000 B.C. to group called “Farmington Indians”. Many Cynthia Griggs is a Canton representative to Contact with Europeans) agriculture was educated Farmington Indians were involved the Wild & Scenic Study Committee and is introduced and people planted gardens of in planning an Indian emigration movement the Eastern Historian to the Stockbridge corn, squash and beans (called “the three to New York under the leadership of the Munsee Band of Mohicans and the sisters), as well as other crops. Corn replaced Mohegan Indian Minister, Samson Occom, Brothertown Indian Nation. The acorns and hickory nuts as diet staples. Bows and Joseph Johnson, a Mohegan teacher at Brothertown recently honored her with a gift and arrows replaced spears for hunting. the Farmington Indian School. The of the "Circle of Life" blanket, and a special Wigwams were constructed in a village Farmington River Valley had a very award as a "Friend of the Brothertown". setting. English Colonists encountered large important role in the emigration of New Photo contributed by Wanda Colman Connecticut’s Rich Geologic Past Detailed in New Book Professor Emeritus Jelle Zeilinga de Boer from Wesleyan University, who spoke to the Wild and Scenic Study Committee about the bedrock geology of the lower Farmington River and Salmon Brook, has a new book, Stories in Stone, which relates the history and culture of Connecticut to the state’s geology. The University Press of New England website offers the following description of the book: In a series of entertaining essays, geoscientist Jelle Zeilinga de Boer describes how early settlers discovered and exploited Connecticut’s natural resources. Their successes as well as failures form the very basis of the state’s history. For example, the Statue of Liberty, a quintessential symbol of America, rests on Connecticut’s Stony Creek granite. Stories in Stone describes the marvel of Connecticut’s geologic diversity and also recounts the impact of past climates, earthquakes, and meteorites on the lives of the people who made Connecticut their home. It is available from University of New England Press, www.upne.com. www.lowerfarmingtonriver.org / www.salmonbrookwildandscenic.org W I L D & S C E N I C Wild & Scenic: Economic Impact River Recreation Enhances Local mailed surveys. Based on the information come to Tariffville Gorge, which is a Economy, Real Estate Market, obtained, the researchers estimate over regional white-water kayaking destination.