|
|
||
Two newly installed roadside signs in Fredericksburg, Stafford County highlight region's past. Date published: 7/10/2006
By JENN ROWELL Highway markers have been installed in Fredericksburg and Stafford County by the Department of Historic Resources and highlight American Indian history in Virginia. The first marker, along the fall of the Rappahannock River in Fredericksburg, commemorates the 1608 encounter of Amoroleck and John Smith. Amoroleck was a member of a hunting party of Piedmont-based Mannahoac Indians and Smith was with colonists from Jamestown. During an attack on Smith's party, Amoroleck was shot in the knee. Smith had him taken aboard ship, where he was treated by a doctor. Amoroleck said the hunting party attacked because they had heard that the white men had come from under the world to take their land. Amoroleck also told Smith of what was beyond the falls and of the Mannahoac, Monacan and Massawomeck peoples. He was later released in a friendly exchange. Along State Route 3 in Stafford County at Ferry Farm is the second marker. It marks the July 1790 visit of a group of Creek Indians from Georgia that was on its way to New York City. They were traveling at the invitation of George Washington to improve relations with the newly formed United States government and the trip resulted in a treaty. While they were in Fredericksburg, the Creek visited Washington's family at Kenmore and viewed Ferry Farm. The markers are part of a collaborative effort among the Virginia American Indian community, the Department of Historical Resources and the Virginia Historical Society. The effort resulted in the installment of 10 highway markers dealing with American Indian people, places and events. The project is funded by the Department of Historic Resources and has been extended through 2007 to develop an additional 10 makers focusing on Virginia Indian history and 10 more dealing with African-American history. There are more than 2,200 official state highway markers, which are installed and maintained by the Virginia Department of Transportation. To reach JENN ROWELL:
1. Be respectful. No personal attacks.
|
|
||||||||||||
