Sainte Marie among the Iroquois Living History Museum held a special outdoor program on Saturday, March 4, for approximately 150 visitors to commemorate the museum’s winter heritage and welcome its new volunteer coordinator, Michael Sutton. This year marks the 350th anniversary of the French Jesuits arriving at the shores of Onondaga Lake by invitation of the Onondagas.
“Two years ago, Honeywell made an investment in preserving Ste. Marie’s historic legacy,” said Honeywell Syracuse Area Remediation Program Director John McAuliffe. “We are proud to see the museum and its new coordinator sharing three centuries of knowledge with the community while enjoying the recreational benefits of Onondaga Lake’s shoreline.”
Onondaga County Executive Nicholas Pirro and Onondaga County Parks Commissioner Bob Geraci selected Sutton to lead and coordinate the efforts of volunteers who operate Ste. Marie, beginning with its ongoing anniversary celebration.
The program featured demonstrations of dog sledding, the Native American winter game Snowsnake, and early American trapping practices. Snowsnake has been played by the Iroquois for over 500 years and was originally used as a means of communicating between the Iroquois winter encampments.
“Mr. Sutton’s experience and enthusiasm appear to be just what we need to continue a successful and exciting operation at Ste. Marie,” said David Southard, president of the Friends of Historic Onondaga Lake, which oversees all the volunteer efforts at Ste. Marie.
Sutton, a graduate of Onondaga Community College and resident of Syracuse, comes to Ste. Marie with experience in volunteer recruitment, training and supervision.
The volunteer coordinator’s salary is funded by a four-year grant made by Honeywell in 2004.
Ste. Marie will be open for the 2006 season beginning May 13.
For more information, please visit our website at www.onondaga-lake-initiatives.com.