There are over 200 mysterious stone chambers that dot the landscape of Putnam County, NY. Some are hidden deep within the woods, others are found along the side of busy roadways, and some right in neighborhood backyards. Their origins and purpose remain a mystery to historians and archeologists. The stone chambers have given rise to a plethora of theories regarding their creation - from Celtic Druids erecting them for ancient spiritual ceremonies, to Native Americans utilizing them as shelters, and early settlers building them as root cellars to store perishables. One thing is for certain, anyone who has stepped foot inside one can agree there is something quite special and magical about them.

In this special podcast series, Kelly is doing a deep dive into all of these plausible theories surrounding the stone chambers of Putnam County. She’s interviewing local historians, geologists, archaeologists, Druid Priests and Priestesses, and local residents who have had profound experiences inside the chambers. Both the science and spiritual sides will be explored. A multitude of perspectives will be shared to ultimately try to solve the mystery of these unique stone structures.

In Part 2 Kelly chats with independent researcher and NEARA Treasurer Rob Buchanan. NEARA stands for the New England Antiquities Research Association. They were founded in 1964 to promote research into the origins and functions of the various stone structures that dot the Northeastern landscape. These include rock piles, stone chambers, unusual stone walls and circles, and standing stones. Everything that Rob discusses in this interview cannot be taken as an official NEARA position. Rob shares a scientific look at the stone chambers and also discusses his passionate work for preserving them. He also talks about his research into other unique stone structures found throughout the Putnam County area and their potential connection to Native American tribes.

For more information and to contact NEARA: https://neara.org

To contact Rob: okartrob@yahoo.com

For more information on Save Buttonhook: https://www.preservebuttonhook.org