The historic Wainer Woods Farm in Westport, MA was once the homestead of Michael Wainer (Micah Quaben, his Native American Name) and served as a community hub for generations. Today the descendants of Michael Wainer and team of scientists, artists, and activists, led by Pocasset Wampanoag of Pokanoket Nation Chief Nij-Pajikwat-Mo’z (Chief Two Running Elk/Chief Robert Cox), are developing plans to revitalize this historic property and share it with those interested in learning more about Native American Indian and African American history in Westport.
Wainer Woods will be a host space for gatherings, workshops, and classes, such as Farming, Forestry, and the Use of Native American Plants. We partner with local sustainability, agriculture, art, and cultural organizations.
Our Focus
- Unearthing ancestral stories in the landscape, particularly the histories of Paul Cuffe and Michael Wainer
- Wainer Woods Farming: Using knowledge from the past to create a better future
- Explore historical and contemporary Native/African-American life and practices
- Protect existing onsite features and natural resources that tell historical stories (old structure foundations, walls and boundary stones, farm equipment)
- Create guided narratives enhanced by Augmented Reality that will allow visitors to digitally investigate Native culture, arts and farming
- Commission artworks enhanced by Augmented Reality to make information easily accessible and entertaining via cell phone or tablet, with a focus on engaging youth and providing an immersive Wainer Woods Art Experience
