New StoryMap Explores Indigenous History of Watertown Before Colonial Settlement

A new interactive StoryMap is offering residents a deeper look at Watertown's history by centering the experiences of the Indigenous peoples who lived in the area for thousands of years before English settlement.

Created by the Pigsgusset Initiative in collaboration with the Historical Society of Watertown, the digital resource combines historical research, maps, archival documents, photographs and Indigenous perspectives to tell a more complete story of the land once known as Pigsgusset, or "the meadow at the widening of the river." Organizers said the project is the result of more than three years of research and remains an evolving resource.

The StoryMap traces the region's history from the earliest Indigenous inhabitants through colonial settlement, land dispossession, Indigenous survival and the American Revolution. It also examines how the area's rivers, wetlands and ecosystems shaped daily life, while challenging long-held narratives about Watertown's founding and encouraging readers to consider the history from Indigenous perspectives.

Developers said the StoryMap is intended to help residents, educators and students better understand the original peoples of Watertown ahead of the city's 400th anniversary in 2030, while contributing to a broader conversation about the community's shared history.

The interactive StoryMap is available online at https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/6f212979758a4db18c4dd8437c2e60e0, where readers can explore the project's research, maps and historical resources in greater detail.

Watch the full panel from June 17, 2026: http://vodwcatv.org/internetchannel/show/5634?site=1