Presented by Brenton Hill. The Native American nation of Pequawkets and their ancestors had lived along the Saco River for over 10,000 years when European settlers arrived in the 17th century. They did not have writing, so they left little history until the British wrote about their enemy and sometimes trading partners during the intense conflict from 1630 to 1725 while the populations were in contact along the river. The Pequawkets were Eastern Abenaki and part of the first Wabanaki Confederation, but not the current one. Unfortunately, they had little resistance to European diseases. By 1650, most had died of smallpox, measles, and influenza, leaving empty villages and fields. British settlers quickly adopted their land, canoes, snowshoes, moccasins, corn, beans, squash, and many local names such as Ossipee, Mousam and Saco. Mr. Hill will be displaying a few of the Pequawkets’ surviving mostly stone artifacts while sharing their history.
EVENT DETAILS
Sunday, March 15, 2026
Doors Open: 2:15 PM
Event Starts: 3:00 PM
Address: Historical Museum, 505 Main Street, Springvale, ME
The museum is handicapped accessible.
FREE ADMISSION
Sign up at lost-pequawket-tribe-of-the-saco-river.eventbrite.com
Admittance to this event is FREE to the public, although donations are always welcomed. Signing up in advance is not required but does help us prepare for the number of attendees. For questions, please call 207-490-1028 or email info@sanfordhistory.org.
This lecture is generously supported and sponsored by: Harry A. Mapes Charitable Trust.