How Native American People Lived on Fishers Island
July 19 @ 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Join us at the Museum for an illustrated talk with archaeologist John Pfeiffer who will give an overview of Fishers Island archaeology that focuses on the excavation of sites, artifacts discovered, and John’s interpretation of how Native American people lived on the Island. This talk is based on co-research during the 1980s and 1990s, with Dr. Robert Funk of the New York State Museum – which began as a survey of what had been discovered earlier, and evolved into a thorough study focusing on newly discovered sites, as well as scientific excavations of some of the earlier known places where prehistoric materials had been found. Together, the data generated a reasonable picture of how island resources were utilized by indigenous people and how the availability of such resources changed over time. Funk and Pfeiffer’s experience from mainland archaeological sites, when compared to the discoveries on Fishers, demonstrated a special island adaptation that permitted stable subsistence throughout the entire year – which was not always the pattern witnessed within inland sites, and in some instances, scarcity and famine had been revealed.
When: Sunday, July 19, 2026
Time: 4-5 pm
Place: At the Museum, 2nd floor and virtual, via zoom
The archaeological investigation of Fishers Island by Funk and Pfeiffer was guided by Charles Ferguson, whose family had been residents for over a century. Charlie and his father, Henry, kept a watchful eye upon the discovery and recording of Native American artifacts found. A section of the H. L. Ferguson Museum was dedicated to their initial archaeological studies. Charlie’s daughter Marnie wrote a report that complemented their findings and the museum’s displays.
Dr. John Pfeiffer during the decade long archaeological investigation of Fishers Island (1986-1996).
About John
Dr. Pfeiffer has lived in coastal Connecticut for his entire life and began his archaeological career at an early age, working locally as a high school student. Before entering college, John worked in England as an archaeologist on Roman and Arthurian sites. He majored in Anthropology at the University of Connecticut, then continued his anthropology and archaeology studies at Wesleyan University, earning a master’s degree. He received his PhD in anthropology from the State University of New York at Albany. There he met his mentor, colleague, and long-time friend Bob Funk who was the New York State Archaeologist. Together they worked on many sites throughout New York State and after a full day of excavation, they would retire to a ping-pong table and play well into the night. On Fishers they were often joined by the field crew and their host, Charlie Ferguson.
The above Mural of West Harbor was painted by former Museum president, Charlie Ferguson.
Join from PC, Mac, iPad, or Android:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82314846243
Phone one-tap:
+16699009128,,82314846243# US (San Jose)
+16694449171,,82314846243# US
Join via audio:
+1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose)
+1 669 444 9171 US
+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
+1 719 359 4580 US
+1 253 205 0468 US
+1 646 558 8656 US (New York)
+1 646 931 3860 US
+1 689 278 1000 US
+1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)
+1 305 224 1968 US
+1 309 205 3325 US
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
+1 360 209 5623 US
+1 386 347 5053 US
+1 507 473 4847 US
+1 564 217 2000 US
Webinar ID: 823 1484 6243
International numbers available: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kE9Bcel6z
