November is commemorated as Native American Heritage Month. This oval framed collection of Botetourt arrowheads was donated in 1975 by Stuart Barnes Carter (1906-1983). On the back is written “For Botetourt County Museum in memory of Walter and Elbert Brooks.” Both men were residents of Eagle Rock and died in 1971 and 1974.
Stuart and his wife, Mary Pechin Shelly Sheridan Carter (1901-1966), purchased their home, Greyledge, in Buchanan in 1954. He was a lawyer in Fincastle, a Delegate in the Virginia General Assembly and later a State Senator. He was actively involved in archeology.
These arrowheads are of various shapes, sizes and stones. They are probably from the Woodland Era (0-1700 A.D.), but could be from the Archaic (500-5000 B.C.) or even the Paleo-Indian Era (6000-11,000+ B.C.). Indian artifacts are still being found in Botetourt.
~ Botetourt County Museum of History & Culture
