Lifelong Learning class explores historic locations in Sowams

(Left) A dozen participants in the Lifelong Learning Collaborative visited the Seat of Metacom in Bristol, RI as part of an eight week series of meetings from June 30th to August 18th to explore 17th century locations in Sowams, the home of the Massasoit Ousamequin. Titled “Forget Plymouth Rock – It All Started Right Here: The Real American Origin Story:, the course is coordinated by Dr. David Weed.

By identifying and visiting Indigenous and colonial sites in Sowams, the Tribe’s ancestral homeland, the group will study the events leading up to and following King Philip’s War (1675-76) and the devastating transition of power from an ancient indigenous nation to an English colonial
confederation.

Sites to be visited will include the Charter Room at the RI State House, the Newman Church and the Ring of the Green in East Providence, the Myles Garrison site in Swansea, and Anawan Rock in Rehoboth. Four additional field trips to other locations are also planned. The course uses Nathaniel Philbrick’s Mayflower, A Story of Courage, Community, and War as its text. Class members are invited to give short presentations each week on related topics. For more information, go to lifelonglearningcollaborative.org