Appendix H - Historical Archaeological and ... - CBP.gov

includes the Vermont Historic Preservation Act and the state’s land use law ACT 250, as well as
local ordinances. Together with the Federal legislation, these state ordinances led to the
establishment of state agencies who safeguard archeological sites and historical properties, such
as the Vermont Division for Historic Preservation. Other organizations such as Partners for
Sacred Places, the only national, non-sectarian, non-profit organization devoted to helping
congregations and their communities sustain and actively use older and historic sacred places
(http://www.sacredplaces.org/) may be interested in issues concerning sacred sites. Non-profit
organizations such as the Archaeological Conservancy, the Vermont Archaeological Society, the
Vermont Historical Society, and the Land Trust of Vermont are key partners toward effective
historic preservation. During the last decade, states across the nation have made significant
progress toward cultural resource stewardship through programs like Archaeology Week or
Month and other public outreach. These exemplary programs discourage unnecessary collecting
and excavation of archeological sites, Native American sacred sites, and TCPs.
Native American sacred sites and TCPs in the New Hampshire portion of the northern border
project area include, but are not limited to, burials, notable places and/or landmarks, and places
of religious significance. In general, human burial sites should be afforded some specific
recognition or degree of respect. The manner and degree of treatment ultimately falls upon
individual customs and beliefs. Ancient to modern Native American, Euro-American, and other
ethnic burials exist across the northern border project area of New Hampshire. Burial contexts
range widely from isolated unmarked burials to large cemeteries.
It is not unusual for natural landmarks to traditionally mark Native American or Euro-American
travel corridors, burials, boundaries, or the places of significant events. Additionally, the places
where events occurred may themselves be considered significant. Notable places and landmarks
could represent a category of Native American sacred sites and TCPs within the northern border
project area of Vermont. For example, a Traditional Cultural Place could be the Socialist Labor
Party Hall in Barre, Vermont that had special significance to the city’s Italian community. This
1900 Labor Hall provided a meeting place for the Italian community. Special significance might
be attributed to places that witnessed important, tragic, or ceremonial events, such as battles,
trading spots, or peace ceremonies (Price 1956). Some groups might also consider natural
resource areas, where food or medicinal plants were gathered, sacred sites or TCPs.
Americans generally agree that individuals should be free to worship in any manner that they
choose as long as their activities do not infringe upon others. For many cultures throughout time,
worship is tied to a specific location. Native peoples of Vermont ascribe sacred and traditional
significance to places associated with Abenaki mythology and creation stories such as those of
Odzihózo on Lake Champlain and Bedgwadzo “Round Mountain” (Haviland and Power 1994),
perhaps in a manner similar to Roman Catholics of French-Canadian descents who travel to St.
Anne’s Shrine. Meeks (1986b:241) wrote that in 1976, St. Anne’s Shrine ranked seventh of
Vermont’s summer stopping spots with 56,000 visitors. Modern Abenaki peoples have also
regarded petroglyph sites, such as those at Bellows Falls and Brattleboro, Vermont as powerful
sacred places.
Northern Border Activities H-129 July 2012