In the spring of 1909, the completion of a new hydro-electric dam in Vernon created at 28 mile long lake, from Vermont’s southern boarder with Massachusetts to Bellows Falls, as waters began to back up and subsume much of the river-adjacent countryside. On average, the water level rose 30 feet and eventually flooded more than 150 farms. Among the lands subsumed by permanent flood waters were a series of petroglyphs sites near the confluence of the West River and Connecticut River dating from a precolonial epoch, in the lands now known as Brattleboro, Vermont.
In August of 2015, after a 30-year search, underwater explorer Annette Spaulding found one of the petroglyph sites, subsumed in 1909 and unseen by persons for over a century.
In March of 2016, Annette presented her finding to a Vermont Historical Society brown bag lunch at the Vermont History Museum in Montpelier.
BCTV and the Brattleboro Historical Society were on hand to record the lecture.
Seeing Synchronicites
This is such a great presentation, really an exciting quest. For years I’ve been casually seeking these figures on my paddleboard and kayak, hoping to glimpse these petroglyphs, attracted to the very spot Annette has made her discoveries.
On a related note, so energizing to share in this genuine local expedition. Undeniable evidence; there is life off the screen! Thanks for the effort and vision.
Glyphs
I think this is a good candidate for inclusion in our new Indigenous People Day in October.