Arrowhead Roadshow returns to museum on Saturday

The Arrowhead Roadshow, with Dr. Steve Irwin, will once again arrive at the Putnam County Museum, 1105 N. Jackson St., Greencastle, on Saturday, June 2. Last year's roadshow was a great success, with more than 100 Pre-Columbian artifacts identified, shared and commented on by Dr. Irwin.

Ceremonial spade found in Putnam County, date unknown. From the collection of Galen and Stephen Irwin, formerly of Roachdale.

Area residents are invited to bring their stone arrowheads, spears, knives, scrappers, hammers, grinding stones and other stone implements and tools for an afternoon of prehistoric considerations. The program ​starts at 2 p.m. and ​is free and open to the public.

Or just come for education and entertainment while Dr. Irwin identifies and shares information about age, type of stone, geographical origin, style of flaking and worth of these ancient relics.

Persons who wish to have an item examined may call the museum at 653-8419 to reserve a spot in the Roadshow line. Framed collections are welcome, too.

Irwin has collected Indian artifacts his entire life, following in his father footsteps. Galen Irwin started collecting in 1914. He took Steve along and prehistoric stone artifacts became the young man's hobby, too.

Combined, the two Irwin artifact collections house thousands of pieces and represent more than 100 years of searching, swapping and collecting.

Irwin has published numerous articles in Prehistoric American and the Central States Archaeological Journal. In 1984 he published The Providers: Hunting and Fishing Methods of the North American Natives, followed in 1997 by Sporting Collectibles. He is a member of the Montana State Museum Board of Trustees.

The museum opens at 10 a.m.