The Pickering Foundation was pleased to accept the gift of a wampum belt originally given to Col. Timothy Pickering in 1794 as part of the signing of a treaty between the United States and the “western” Native Americans, one of the first such treaties signed by the new United States. The history of gift giving is deeply significant in Native cultures. As a new republic, this material cultural artifact signifies the fledgling relationship between the sovereign Native nations and United States. Come view the belt and understand the profound questions it raises.

Charlie Newhall is an historian of the Early Republic, a history teacher at St. John’s Prep, and chair of the Pickering Foundation Collection Committee. He will be joined by fellow Board member Tim Jenkins who has several times participated in the annual celebration of the Pickering (Canandaigua) Treaty of 1794, held on November 11 each year in Canandaigua, New York.

$15 Members; $20 Non-members