Friends of Pine Hawk

Learn about Acton’s most significant archaeological discovery, the Pine Hawk site in South Acton. The site was inhabited by Native Americans for over several thousand years and yielded a treasure trove of artifacts. Doug Halley was the Acton official most involved as the discovery of this site unfolded over 20 years ago. He will describe that process of discovery, its significance, and how the project activated an increased interest in historical preservation, such as the Trail Through Time in North Acton. Doug also created an award-winning exhibit about Pine Hawk, which can be seen today on the ground floor of

Join Cheryl Stedtler, founder and director of Project Mishoon, for an immersive journey into underwater archaeology, Indigenous heritage, and 1640s canoe discoveries that are reshaping New England’s historical narrative. History emerges from beneath the surface. Cheryl is an enrolled citizen of the Hassanamisco Nipmuc Band, where she serves on the Tribal Council. With a background in microbiology and clinical trials project management, Cheryl blends a systems-oriented approach with traditional knowledge. She is also an editor for Dawnland Voices: An Anthology of Writing from Indigenous New England. All Friends of Pine Hawk events are free but registration is appreciated at https://tinyurl.com/2025-Pinehawk

Bettina Abe, a retired member of Acton’s Conservation Department and a long-time leader of hikes along Acton’s trails, will lead a new and brisk hiking route this year, exploring local archaeology along the Nashoba Brook, Robbins Mill, and Spring Hill connector Trails. This year’s hike will begin at the Robbins Mill Conservation Parking lot on Carlisle Road and will include stops at the Roof Slab Quarry, the Robbins Mill Pond and mill site, and the Pipsissewa Native American ceremonial sites. Trail conditions can be rocky, uneven, and often wet, and thus participation is limited. Registrants will receive a detailed email

Some of America’s most significant historic archaeological sites are located in Massachusetts and some of the earliest and most influential archaeologists investigated sites in the Commonwealth. Join archaeologist Holly Herbster for an overview of Massachusetts’ post-1600 archaeological heritage, its role in the development of historical archaeology, and the ways in which current research and collaboration are helping to rediscover histories that have long been hidden or ignored. Friends of Pine Hawk events are free but for talks like this registration is encouraged at https://tinyurl.com/2025-Pinehawk.

“Hockomock” in Algonquin means "land where spirits dwell” and is a revered Wampanoag sacred site, and later a “Devil’s Swamp” for English settlers. Join Dan Boudillion and Bettina Abe for a 2-mile hike at Hockomock Swamp, a Massachusetts Wildlife Management Area in Raynham, Mass. There is much lore surrounding the history of Hockomock Swamp, beginning in the 1600s. The area is the largest freshwater swamp in the state and is known for sightings of floating orbs of light, ghostly voices, and phantom drums linked to its past as an ancient burial ground and a natural fortress during King Phillip’s War.

The book Path of Souls: the Native American Death Journey gives evidence of shamanic soul travel to the Milky Way in mound cultures.  Are there traces of such structures and travel in Nashobah?  Yes. Nashobah historian, Dan Boudillion, will explore local structures that mirror the arrangements identified by Gregory Little in the book and which may have been used for similar purposes. Friends of Pine Hawk events are free but for talks like this registration is encouraged at https://tinyurl.com/2025-Pinehawk.

Nashoba Praying Indian Grand Chief Quiet Storm will talk about how we as a community can be good stewards of the land in all spaces. She will also highlight how we can better support the pollinators and biodiversity that we rely on to sustain our life on Mother Earth. Friends of Pine Hawk events are free but for talks like this registration is strongly encouraged at https://tinyurl.com/2025-Pinehawk.

The Friends of Pine Hawk annual fall community service day is planned for the afternoon of Sunday, November 9, 2025 at 1pm. This year the event will again focus on the Trail Through Time, a heritage trail through town-owned conservation lands in North Acton. The Trail includes sites and stone structures representative of two distinct cultures, the colonial and the Native American, that existed both serially and concurrently within a relatively small geographical area. The focus will be on trail maintenance and Ian Bergemann, Acton’s Land Stewardship Coordinator, will be there to help guide our efforts. All ages welcome. If

Join a group discussion of the groundbreaking work Manitou: The Sacred Landscape of New England's Native Civilization.  This book is now a classic in the archaeology of our region. Several decades ago, one of the authors, Boxborough resident Byron Dix, discovered the first of many areas in New England believed to be ancient Native American sites. Dix and coauthor James Mavor tell the fascinating story of the discovery and exploration of these many stone structures and standing stones, many of which are believed to play an important role in celestial observation and ritual.  One chapter is devoted primarily to the

The Boxborough Esker Walk in memory of George Krusen is sponsored by both the Boxborough Conservation Trust (BCTrust) and the Friends of Pinehawk.  The landscape of Boxborough was sculpted over millions of years, but some of the most dramatic features formed “only” about 15,000 years ago. The Beaver Brook Valley Preserve protects a beautiful example of an esker – a long, sinuous ridge of sediment that was formed under the edge of an enormous glacier at the end of the last ice age. Tufts geologist Anne Gardulski will guide the walk along the crest of the Boxborough Esker and explain