MORRISTOWN, NJ – Mark your calendars for Saturday, October 11, from 12 noon to 4 p.m. to spend a fun-filled afternoon learning about the history and culture of the native people of New Jersey. Over 500 people attend this annual event at the Great Swamp Outdoor Education Center in Chatham Township. Bring the entire family to meet members of the Ramapough Lenape Indians and watch as they present a traditional drum circle, dances in regalia, and showcases authentic tools and artifacts from hundreds of years ago. Listen to a historical speaker and storyteller, all gathered around a model wigwam in the forest.

Everyone can enjoy activities and crafts, such as molding a clay pot by the fire, making a fire without matches, and playing the real games that Lenape children played. Take a guided walk through the trails to discover how the Lenape used local plants to meet their needs, and explore the interior of the wigwam.

Many people mistakenly believe that the Lenape no longer exist, but at this unique event, you can meet present-day Native Americans of the Ramapough Lenape and discover the ways their lives have changed over hundreds of years. Every elementary school child in the state studies the Lenape, but this event offers a once in a lifetime educational experience that simply can’t be matched in the classroom.

Admission is $5 per person ages 3 and up. Snacks and beverages are available for purchase. For more information, please call the Great Swamp OEC, 973.635.6629.

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The Morris County Park Commission features one of the region’s best park systems in the state of New Jersey. It currently protects and maintains 18,730 acres at 38 distinct sites plus offers a year-round calendar of events and activities for all to enjoy!