Celebrating history at Calusa Heritage Day
Pine Island’s past will come to life this weekend when Randell Research Center hosts the sixth annual Calusa Heritage Day on Saturday, March 12, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Visitors to the Calusa Heritage Trail in Pineland will be offered an opportunity to sample dishes that were once, and still are, prepared by island inhabitants, listen to stories of days gone by, witness live demonstrations in the art of fashioning everyday items used by the island’s ancient tribe and more.
Noted scientists and lecturers will host several presentations and guided tours of the facility will be offered. The admission price of $5 includes free parking and will benefit the on-going work at Randell Research Center. Boasting a festival-style atmosphere, the day also will offer booths manned by archaeologists, artists, authors, craftspeople, storytellers and numerous other exhibitors. The theme for this year’s event is “Native Plants Used by Native People” and among the artists participating, Peter Sottong of Naples, will create reproductions of Calusa masks along with Felix Rodriguez who will present wooden canoe paddles replicating those fashioned on Pine Island many centuries ago.
Visitors to the event are invited to a Calusa Tasting to sample roasted oysters, grilled and smoke mullet and papaya and learn about the archaeological significance of these foods. Several speakers will talk on a variety of topics and include John Beriault who will speak about Key Marco at 10:30 a.m., followed by Lee Newsom on Enthnobotany and the Calusa at 11:15 a.m., Robin Brown, author of Florida’s First People at 12:15 p.m., Bill Marquardt, executive director of RRC about shell tools at 1 p.m., Gerald Hausman, author of native American tales will talk about his new book at 2 p.m. and author, Carol Mahler will speak at 3 p.m. In addition, noted storytellers also will share tales of the past and include presentations by Gene Toncray at 11 a.m., Holly Moulder, author of Eyes of the Calusa at noon. and Gerald Hausman who will share more native American tales at 1 p.m.
Under the Native Plant tent, attendees can see various examples of native plants with information about their many uses and will be available for purchase. Throughout the day, walking tours will be available and those participating will gain even further knowledge about native plants and the wildlife that still exist at the Pineland facility. These tours are suitable for all ages, but comfortable footware is advised. This, too, will be a rare opportunity to leave the main trail and venture into little-visited areas of the research site. Guided tours of the Calusa Heritage Trail will take place at 11 a.m. and 1 and 3 p.m. with off-the-trail tours to the native plant restoration area scheduled to take place at 2 p.m.
Geared for all ages, organizers of Calusa Heritage Day have also planned numerous activities for children. Several hands-on activities have been planned provided by experts from the Florida Museum of Natural History. Presented will be artifacts and information about the use of plants by the Calusa and even those who preceded them. The children and adults participating also will learn how archaeologists are able to identify ancient plant seeds and wood found at the Pineland site.
This year’s keynote speaker will share her knowledge with event goers throughout the day. At 2 p.m. in the Heritage Trail classroom, Dr. Lee Newsom will present “Paleoethnobotanical Foundations of the Calusa Kingdom. Dr. Newsom also will offer a non-technical presentation on the subject at 11:15 a.m.
Dr. Newsom has spent countless hours at Florida archaic sites, primarily Little Salt Springs and Windover to discover plant uses, including gourds, fabrics and medicinal plants. As she began to narrow her search she then focused on the Calusa who inhabited the Pineland area and discovered evidence and data to complete her research.
Those planning to make a day of it can purchase lunch at a reasonable prize from the Mullet Wagon manned by Mel Meo and her crew.
For more information about Calusa Heritage Day or to reserve seating for Dr. Newsom’s lecture, call Randell Research Center at 283-2157.