LibGuides: Woburn History: Native Peoples

Woburn's Original Inhabitants

Woburn's original inhabitants were the Algonquin people of the Pawtucket Confederation; specifically, the Naumkeag and Abenaki. Prior to European settlement, these people flourished in Woburn and the surrounding area. The Archives has but a small collection of remnants of this history, most of which is on display in the library's Historical Artifacts Room.

Other information and resources can be found in the links below.

Woburn Public Library resides on the lands and waterways originally belonging to the Naumkeag, Pawtucket, and Massachusett peoples. Woburn Public Library acknowledges this history and the people who have stewarded this land though the generations, past and present.

Resources

The Indian Bowl
On Horn Pond Mountain, a 'bowl' carved out of a granite outcrop. This natural feature is said to have been used by the local Pre-Colombian Native Americans as a place to grind grains and nuts in the process of food preparation.
Legends of Woburn
Parker Lindall Converse discusses the Native Peoples and some of their stories in his book "Legends of Woburn."
The Legend of Rag Rock
Mount Mianomo, or Rag Rock, is home to the Legend of Nansema.
The Legend of Wakima
The story of Wakima says that he fell asleep along the shore at Horn Pond, and a glowing ship appeared and floated across the pond towards him to deliver a message.
Squaw Sachem
We acknowledge that the term "Squaw" is derogatory and has its roots in misogyny and racism; we further acknowledge that this term is universally offensive. The Lady Chief, whose real name has been lost to history, sold large tracts of her land to the Puritans in order to keep peace. The Archives holds some of the original deeds.