Veteran flintknapper Richard Poirier will give a demonstration of flintknapping, and art and skill he has been practicing for over 30 years. Working with a variety of materials, including the rare Variegated Jaspar from Berks County, Rich will demonstrate how to use percussion flaking techniques to reduce raw stone to produce sharp projectile points or tools, such as spear points and arrowheads. He will talk about the many different point types from east of the Mississippi, such as the Susquehanna Broad, Oriental Fishtail, Dog Leg Bevel, and Fractured Base Point, and will demonstrate how each of these points was made. Native American people produced the finest flint and jasper projectiles and blades in the world— these pre-historic artists are the inspiration for modern day flintknappers. Rich is a member of Flintknappers.com, a group of highly skilled flintknappers that specialize in replicating stone tools and creating lithic art.
Joining Rich Poirier will be ESU graduate student Emily Serpico. Emily will interpret the Historical Society’s Anna London Collection of Native American artifacts, donated by Anna’s granddaughter. In addition to her graduate studies toward an M.A. in history, Emily is working with Professor Susan Bachor of the Delaware Tribe Historic Preservation Office (DTHPO) at ESU. Emily recently completed an independent study course with Professor Bachor to develop a deep understanding of the history, lifestyle, culture, structure, and development of the Lenape people. In 2021 Emily researched, designed, and executed an exhibition that told the story of the Lenape in the tri-county area. To do this, she utilized the Anna London Collection on loan from the Historical Society, along with several other items such as deer pelts, ceremonial blankets, multiple photographs, and more.
Past Event
