Mohegan Park - Walktober 2019

"...a Mohegan elder relating history to young tribal members."

Back in the 1990's, I was a student of sculptor, Don Gale's at the Lyme Academy of Fine Arts. I remember hearing him talk about this sculpture and how he had modern day tribe members pose for him since there were no photos from the 1600's to work from. I feel privileged to have been in his class at just the right time to be invited, along with the rest of the class, to be present on the day these sculptures were installed.

   

Plaque recognizing both the 300-year friendship between the City of Norwich and the Mohegan people; and the fact that this area is the homeland of the Mohegan Nation. In 1659, Chief Uncas deeded a nine mile square of land to the Town of Norwich.

Everything in the sculptural grouping has meaning. An elder provides an oral history lesson to younger members of the tribe. They listen intently as they will be the culture-keepers of the future. A wolf stands by the elder as he explains the name Mohegan means "The Wolf People." The young girl holds corn, an important source of nutrition, while the boy crouches near a mortar and pestle which will be used to ground the corn into "yokeag," a dried traveling food hunters carried with them. When respected elders ground the yokeag, it was believed to be imbued with spiritual energy.

A Mohegan girl holds a corn cob while looking out across the Mohegan Nation's homeland

A Mohegan boy crouches near the mortar and pestle, while listening intently to the history of his tribe

This Walktober event, held on Sunday October 20th, was sponsored by the Mohegan Striders, a group   devoted to long distance running and racewalking as a healthful form of exercise and competition. Our tour leaders were Tim and Terrie. Participants met near the fountain in the courtyard by Spaulding Pond. 

Spaulding Pond, the upper lake at Mohegan Park

A memorial for those who lost their lives in 1963 to a flood caused by the collapse of the Spaulding Pond Dam

Fountain at Mohegan Park, Norwich, CT

This currently 381 acre park might not have happened with out the original donations of land in 1906

After hearing about the history, sculptures, and monuments of Mohegan Park, we headed out on the trails, first passing under a row of pergolas over Spaulding Pond Dam.

Pergolas over Spaulding Pond Dam

Into the woods and over a bridge...

...where we saw old stone walls

Then out onto an open grass trail...

...where we could see something up ahead

The lower lake, Skating Pond is where the community used to gather for bonfires and ice skating in the winter months

These days there is too much vegetation in the pond and winters do not get cold enough for the pond to form a thick enough layer of ice for skating

Back into the woods where we tackle the "hard trail." You'll find loads of rocks and roots to trip on this route.

My friend Linda joined me on this weekend's walk, but surprise, surprise! - I also ran into old friend and co-worker, Erin with her husband Tony!

The spillway from Spaulding Pond forms a stream leading to the Skating Pond

After snacks and apple cider at the picnic pavilion, Linda and I had a wonderful time talking with Terrie, who is a wealth of information on all things Norwich. She handed out maps and answered all our questions about local restaurants and places to walk.

Back to the central courtyard for one more look around, and then it was time to head home

...but not before one final look back!

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