Plimoth Patuxet Museum Executive Director Ellie Donovan and Deputy Director Richard Pickering paid a visit to Sowams on June 15, 2023 as a follow-up to a presentation that Pickering did on March 22nd with Pokanoket Tribal Historian Donald Brown, Jr. at Roger Williams University recognizing the 400th anniversary of Pilgrim Edward Winslow’s encounter with the Massasoit Ousamequin. Donovan and Pickering were hosted by Sowams Heritage Area Project Coordinator David Weed and Strategic Advisor Andrea Rounds and met by Pokanoket Sachem Dancing Star (photo, left) and Sagamore Winds of Thunder (second from right) at the Seat of Metacom. This was an opportunity for the Museum directors to learn more about the Sowams Heritage Area Project and the homeland of the Massasoit Ousamequin who welcomed the Pilgrims at Plymouth in March, 1621, and ensured their survival.

In addition to the Seat of Metacom at Mt. Hope, the directors also toured the the Royal Pokanoket Burial Ground at Burr’s Hill, the Massasoit Spring on Baker Street, the Land Acknowledgement statement outside the Warren Town Hall, the Narrows site at the Waypoiset Preserve in Bristol, the location where King Philip’s War began, the location of Margaret’s Rock, and King’s Rock on Sachem’s Knoll.