Wigwam maker, Primitive tool expert



While building the wigwam during the past week, Barry Keegan has discovered evidence of Native American presence in the Arboretum! (Croton, New York)
This photo shows Barry holding chert flakes (the technical term is "debitage") which are the waste product of making arrowheads and other tools. Barry found these in the soil around the area where he's working.

 A close up of the skillful hand of one Barry Keegan.  He has crafted many a wigwam, primitive tools, thatched roof, and countless other gems.   He has sat with his nieces and nephews to teach a lesson on arrow head making and goes so far as to fashion the rope to tie the arrow head into a necklace that would later be presented to the awe-struck teachers at school the next day.

While building the wigwam during the past week, Barry Keegan has discovered evidence of Native American presence in the Arboretum!
This photo shows Barry holding chert flakes (the technical term is "debitage") which are the waste product of making arrowheads and other tools. Barry found these in the soil around the area where he's working.

This is what life is like with a brother -in- law extraordinaire.  We  take a stroll around the museum where his wife had once worked (the lovely, Sara) and he bends down to a well-worn area in the dirt.  I notice something pushing up through the soil.  We unearth a beautiful glass bottle top that was discarded centuries ago by the colonist that lived in the area.  I do a jig of glee, totally amazed with the treasure, Barry walks on, looking down to find the next moment of discovery!  I will never look at the ground in the same take for granted way.  Barry has the eye, the hands, and the skill, of a curator ready to teach our next history lesson.