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Native American Archival Resources for the Merrimack Valley and Beyond

Indigenous Past & Presence: The Native American Signage Project The University of Massachusetts Lowell is committed to raising campus-wide and community-wide awareness of the rich and diverse cultures, traditions, histories and significant contributions of Native peoples to our history, while at the same time acknowledging the continued presence of Native peoples throughout the country. Part of this effort is our markers and signage project to document the local history of Indigenous peoples.
Designed by  Taylor Szeto


indigenous livelihoods disrupted The sources of power that enabled Lowell’s industrialization— the dams and canals harnessing the Merrimack River—also were a source of destruction. In the 17th century, the changes brought about by colonization and industrialization provided a challenge to Indigenous survival, altering the area’s environment in dramatic ways.
Designed by Taylor Szeto

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wamesit history of a praying town Downtown Lowell was the site of an Indigenous community known as Wamesit, one of fourteen praying towns of Native American Christian converts in the Massachusetts Bay Colony. Missionary John Elliot had lobbied colonial administrators to create Wamesit in 1653, and administrators then took the opportunity to claim large portions of the region surrounding the praying town to the south of the Merrimack River, granting these lands to English colonists to create Chelmsford and Billerica.
Designed by Taylor Szeto
Sign is located on the lawn of Allen House, overlooking the Merrimack River.

pointed stone with text carved in it memorial to passaconnaway chief of the pawtucket indians near this spot in 1648 he accepted christianity under the preaching of john eliot

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massachusetts state seal