Susan McLellan Plaisted is a commonwealth speaker for the following programs. One free presentation per calendar year is available to eligible organizations. Eligible organizations include nonprofit organizations, educational institutions and local, state and national governmental agencies that are planning public programs in Pennsylvania.

Apply to the Council for programs for your organization: Information and a link to the Humanities Council site is found on this page below the program list.

Lenape Foodways

Susan McLellan Plaisted's PowerPoint presentation will discuss the living quarters and implements of a Lenape village to explore the foods and food technologies of the Lenape within the context of their culture. Plaisted will intertwine ethnobotanical research, European narratives and archaeological information with images of hominy processing, drying racks and the roasting of fish and fowl. Reproductions, artifacts and pelts also will be on hand.

About the Pennsylvania Humanities Council Commonwealth Speakers Program

From their website: "The humanities are about sharing powerful stories and exploring big ideas. The Commonwealth Speakers program offers humanities-based programming to nonprofit organizations across the Commonwealth. From sessions on African American storytelling, to Pennsylvania German hoe-downing, to researching family history, thousands of Pennsylvanians enjoy these free presentations each year. Through Commonwealth Speakers, members of public libraries, arts and cultural centers, state parks, senior centers, historical societies, etc. explore the ideas that shape the human experience.

"The 2008-09 Commonwealth Speakers line-up features 88 speakers—selected for their demonstrated expertise and their ability to engage an audience. More than 135 presentations are offered. While these presentations all share a common factor—the opportunity to come together and learn—they are incredibly diverse in terms of topic, format and participants. "

For more information, visit the Council's website.