Local history programs offered from Aug. 31 to Sept. 2 in Kosciusko County

SYRACUSE — Chautauqua-Wawasee and Syracuse-Wawasee Historical Museum present three programs focused on local history from Aug. 31 to Sept. 2 as part of the museum’s “Digging Through History” program for September Archaeology Month.

• T.J. Honeycutt will discuss the treaty of Paradise Spring at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 31 at the Syracuse Community Center, 1013

N. Long Drive. Originally known as the Treaty of Mississinewa, the treaty ultimately made way for the Michigan road and the Wabash-Erie canal. Papakeechie’s Reserve was one of several reservations created by this treaty.

• Lynn MacKaben Brown will discuss her new novel, “Furs and Fevers,” at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 1 at the Syracuse Community Center. The novel is based on Dominique Rousseau, the first permanent white resident of Kosciusko County, and his life from 1825-1840. She will talk about related research principles and sources she used.

• Saturday’s program features six activities for the whole family from 10 a.m. to noon at the Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation, 11586 Indiana 13.

Highlights include Joe Zdziebko dressed as a 1750s French Marine who will display and discuss his equipment, uniform, musket, furs, maps, etc. He will also talk about old sayings that are still used today. Jeff Mesaros will demonstrate how tools were created by hand and offer attendees the opportunity to try doing so. Jamie Clemons, the director of the Syracuse/Wawasee Museum, will demonstrate a tool called “atlatl,” which uses leverage to achieve greater velocity in dart or spear-throwing. Attendees will be allowed to try it, too. Admission to all events is free. For more information, visit chqw.org.