Historian Gary Scarpello explores the lifestyle and culture of these indigenous people at 12:30 Thu. Nov. 3 at Bucks County Community College’s Library in Newtown

(NEWTOWN, PA) - To commemorate Native American Heritage Month, Bucks County Community College invites the public to “The History of the Lenni Lenape” at 12:30 p.m. Thursday, November 3, on the Newtown Campus and online.

“These are the people who sold Manhattan for pocket change,” noted Gary Scarpello, who is well-known for presentations that bring history alive. The historian will present the lecture the Library Learning Studio – located on the main floor of the Newtown Campus Library – and on Zoom.

“We’ll discuss the culture of the Lenape people including the clans, villages, and economy,” he added. “We’ll also look at the forced migration of these people from their homeland to Oklahoma, and discuss the Lenape of today.”

Scarpello taught high school social studies, mathematics, and computer information technology for 36 years. He has had an enriching career teaching underserved student populations of those with learning disabilities, who are emotionally challenged, adjudicated, court dependent, and career technical students. Scarpello has also published many articles and presented at conferences throughout the eastern U.S.

Native American Heritage Month was officially proclaimed as the month of November in 1990 by President George H.W. Bush. However, as early as 1915, efforts began to gain a day of recognition for the significant contributions the first Americans made to the establishment and growth of the United States. To learn more, visit nativeamericanhertiagemonth.gov. 

“Native Americans did not come to the United States from the southern border or Ellis Island – they were here long before the Europeans and the Africans,” noted Kevin Antoine, the college’s Associate Vice President of Community & Government Relations and chief DEI officer. “The Lenape people, before the arrival of Europeans, had advanced environmental and agricultural practices that are accepted and used today.”   

“The History of the Lenni Lenape” takes place at 12:30 p.m. Thursday, November 3, on the campus at 275 Swamp Rd., Newtown, Pa., 18940, where there is ample free parking. The Library’s main entrance is located inside the Gateway Center building.

The free presentation will also be streamed live on the internet to those who register at https://tinyurl.com/LenapeHistory.

The event is sponsored by the college’s Office of Community & Government Relations and DEI Programs, as well as the Newtown Human Relations Commission. To learn more, contact Jean Dolan at [email protected] or 215-968-8094.