The Nashoba Brook Stone Chamber is an underground stone structure in the woods of the Nashoba Brook Conservation Area of Acton, Massachusetts. Its more common name is the "potato cave", which comes from the traditional assumption that it was once used as a root cellar. Research and excavation from 2006 supports this assertion, finding evidence of construction from the 18th or 19th century for the purpose of storing food.[1][2] Some argue that it may originally have been a pre-colonial native American ceremonial stone landscape structure.[3] Local lore states that it also served as shelter for workers on the nearby railroad in the 19th century.[4]
"Trail Through Time"
editThe restored chamber is due to be part of Acton's Trail Through Time, which is being developed to document the settlement and use of North Acton's Nashoba Brook. Besides the stone chamber, other points on the trail will include the Pencil Mill and the Wheeler Farm site at the end of Wheeler Lane.
References
edit- ^ Heaney, Sally (June 8, 2006). "The walls of Potato Cave hold a question about Acton's past". Boston Globe.
- ^ McElroy, Linda S. with Chartier, Craig and Stewart-Smith, David. From 'Potato Cave' to Historic Stone Chamber – A Model Restoration. Retrieved on December 29, 2007.
- ^ Waksman, Peter (October 1998). "Sacred Landscapes: Prehistoric or Not? Part 2". The Concord Magazine.
- ^ McElroy, Linda S. with Chartier, Craig and Stewart-Smith, David. From 'Potato Cave' to Historic Stone Chamber – A Model Restoration, p1. Retrieved on December 29, 2007.
External links
edit- Acton Historical Chamber Restoration Project at New England Antiquities Research Association
- Nashoba Brook Stone Chamber at Friends of Pine Hawk
- LSCOM Stone Chamber Restoration at Acton Conservation Lands