On Sunday, June 26, at the Matthew Curtiss House, 44 Main Street, Newtown Historical Society will welcome visitors to an open house featuring Native American stories by Darlene Kascak, educational coordinator at The Institute for American Indian Studies in Washington (Conn.). Kascak is a Newtown resident and a member of the Schaghticoke Tribal Nation.

The Schaghticoke Tribe has been state recognized for over 300 years. Its reservation, granted in 1736 by the General Assembly of the Colony of Connecticut, is one of the oldest in the United States. The land encompasses roughly 400 acres between the western bank of the Housatonic River and New York State. The Appalachian Trail passes through the scenic reservation near the historical Schaghticoke rattlesnake den.

Kascak will have a table of artifacts and furs to give visitors the opportunity to learn more about the indigenous people who lived in the area. She is a gifted storyteller who engages audiences of all ages.

“I especially love sparking the imagination of young people as they discover how Native Americans lived and evolved over the centuries,” she has said.

The open house will take place from noon to 4 pm, with storytelling sessions at 1 and 3 pm.

No entry fee is required for this event, but donations are always appreciated to help the historical society run community events like this, as well as maintain the historic house that serves as NHS’s headquarters and living history museum.

In keeping with CDC guidelines, masks are no longer required but will be available for visitors who feel more comfortable wearing one.

Reservations are not taken for historical society events, but additional information may be found at NewtownHistory.org.