Manitou Stones, Guiding Rocks with Herman Bender: Winter Speaker Series presented by the DCHS
Schedule
Sat, 17 Jan, 2026 at 01:00 pm
UTC-06:00Location
105 Park Ave, Beaver Dam, WI, United States, Wisconsin 53916 | Beaver Dam, WI
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Warm up with us and learn more about how indigenous people saw their landscape with Herman Bender with the Hanwakan Center. Hot cocoa and coffee provided. Free and open to the public.What are Manitou Stones?
For countless generations, Native peoples of North America have recognized a supernatural, omnipresent force known as Manitou. This presence was understood as a living, universal power influencing every part of daily life. Many natural elements—sun, moon, sky, stars, weather, animals, plants, water, rocks, and even human breath—were seen as containing or expressing
Manitou.
Manitou was believed to reside especially in rocks and boulders known as “spirit” or “image” stones, once common across the landscape. These stones, along with their surroundings, were
regarded as sacred. They were often found on hilltops or other significant places, usually near water such as springs, rapids, waterfalls, and river bends. Their frequent connection to springs is
especially noted. Manitou stones were also associated with ancient trails and footpaths. These locations may have
formed a broad network of “trail-shrines,” marking spiritually important places and guiding travelers both geographically and culturally.
When: Saturday, January 17th 2026 - Program begins at 1:00 PM
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Where is it happening?
105 Park Ave, Beaver Dam, WI, United States, Wisconsin 53916Event Location & Nearby Stays:
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