Norridgewock, Archaeological site and National Historic Landmark in Madison, Maine.
Norridgewock is an archaeological site and National Historic Landmark situated on a plateau near the Kennebec River, featuring remains of a square fort with roughly 26 log cabins and cultivated fields. Evidence found here reveals settlement patterns, daily practices, and construction methods from the early 1700s.
The Abenaki established this settlement in the 1600s and built it into a thriving village over several decades. In 1722, English soldiers under Colonel Thomas Westbrook attacked and destroyed the settlement after its residents fled.
The Abenaki community built structures following European designs while keeping their traditional farming and fishing practices alive. The site demonstrates how residents blended outside influences with their own ways of living.
The site sits on elevated ground with walking paths through the archaeological remains and informational markers throughout. Sturdy footwear is recommended as the terrain can be uneven and vegetation-covered, and trails may vary in accessibility depending on the season.
A Jesuit priest named Father Racle was instrumental in leading this community, and soldiers seized his personal documents during the 1722 attack. These papers remain valuable sources for understanding daily life and relationships within the settlement.
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