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Talk With the Indian Doctress: * Interpreting 19th Century Native American Medicine

September 8, 2024

September 14 @ 1:00 pm – 3:30 pm 

At the Shea Theater, Dr. Marge Bruchac discusses research on Native medicinal plants and practitioners, the approaches she uses to make these histories visible, as part of our Food, Farms, and Factories project, in collaboration with the Nolumbeka Project. In 19th century New England, “Indian Doctors” and “Indian Doctresses” treated Native and non-Native neighbors alike. Connecticut River valley residents turned to Mohican and Abenaki practitioners for what we recognize today as herbalism, chiropractic, physiotherapy, and spiritual healing. As people moved increasingly towards modern medicine, these gifted healers were forgotten, and their knowledge exploited by patent medicine makers. Refreshments in the lobby at 1 p.m. Talk begins at 1:30 p.m. Free & open to all. Shea Theater, 71 Avenue A.

*Food, Farms, and Factories

In 2024, the Friends of the Great Falls Discovery Center present programs and exhibits about Food, Farms, and Factories, continuing conversations about rural life in Turners Falls and Franklin County. Supported by the Friends of the Great Falls Discovery Center, RiverCulture, the Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Association, the Department of Conservation and Recreation, and Montague Public Libraries. Funded by Mass Humanities through the Massachusetts Cultural Council and the National Endowment for the Humanities. Visit greatfallsdiscoverycenter.org/foodfarmsandfactories to learn more.

Filed Under: Food Farms and Factories, Local History

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The Great Falls Discovery Center

2 Avenue A,
Turners Falls, MA 01376
413-863-3221

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Current Seasonal Hours

Tuesday
10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Wednesday – Sunday
10 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Closed Mondays
but open Monday holidays

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The Great Falls Discovery Center is operated by the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation with financial, volunteer, and program support from the Friends of the Great Falls Discovery Center.

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