New England is one of the most abundant regions in the country when it comes to observing and preserving American history. Cities like Boston, Providence, Portsmouth, Lexington, and dozens of others feature countless homes, schools and churches that date back hundreds of years, in some cases 400 years.
Visitors can immerse themselves in history, reliving life in these states (and colonies) during the Civil War, the Revolutionary War, and even during the first days of European settlement in 1620. Every year, millions of tourists come to New England to experience this living history, especially New England’s claim as the birthplace of the American Revolution.
But what about history that goes back thousands of years? History that is equally rich in culture and tradition, even moreso. History that still shapes America in many ways today.
Native Americans lived and thrived on these lands for millennia before Europeans arrived in Plymouth. Tribes such as the Wampanoag, Mohegan, Pequot, Narragansett, Penobscot, and several others lived off the land, established trade networks, and developed their own languages, customs and beliefs.
Today, landmarks and museums preserve and honor this history throughout New England. While not nearly as well known or publicized as the Revolutionary War attractions, these Native American sites are growing in popularity, as more and more tourists discover and experience Native American culture that flourished for thousands of years.
Here are some of the very best Native American historic sites in New England today.