Lecture on Ramapough Mountain Indians

On Thursday, February 6th, at 7:30 p.m., Edward J. Lenik, author of “Indians in the Ramapos” and “Ramapough Mountain Indians,” will present a lecture for the Mahwah Museum Lecture series entitled “Ramapough Mountain Indians: People, Places and Cultural Traditions.” The lecture will be held at the Ramapo Reformed Church, 100 Island Rd. Admission is $3 for non-members, members free. Refreshments will be served.

Lenik will discuss his most recent book on his exploration of the Indian presence, past and present, in the New York-New Jersey Highlands. This book discusses rock shelters and other archaeological sites he has investigated over the years. He tells the stories of people he has met and people he has heard about. He looks into objects and relates folklore and stories.  

A regional archaeologist with over 30 years of experience researching and investigating the history of the Highlands, Lenik is well known as a lecturer, hike leader and author in northern New Jersey. His dictum, “Search the records before you dig,” has directed him through years of searching archives, libraries, museums and collections seeking references to the continuing Indian presence in the Highlands. He has developed a close relationship with the Ramapough Lenape Nation and has interviewed tribal elders. He has been an avid historical hiker for years, stopping to explore the vanishing evidence of human occupation in the forests of northern New Jersey. His book is based on these primary resources. He also includes data from secondary sources.

Lenik is a past president of the Archaeological Society of New Jersey. He is the author of many books including a series on Indian Rock Art in the northeast and the well-known “Iron Mine Trails” from the NY/NJ Trail Conference.

The Mahwah Museum, featuring “the Neighborhoods of Mahwah” and “Les Paul in Mahwah” is open Wednesdays and weekends from 1-4 p.m. The Donald Cooper Railroad is open weekends from 1-4 p.m. Admission is $5 for non-members, children and members are free. For more information or to reserve visit www.mahwahmuseum.org or call 201-512-0099.

The Mahwah Museum receives operating support from New Jersey Historical Commission, Department of State.