Gamut Theatre sits on territory which was once inhabited by the Native Americans known as the Susquehannock people, also called the “Conestoga” by the English.  Their close relationship with the Susquehanna River made them a powerful regional force. They respected women and identified their line of descent through the mother or closest female relative.  They domesticated dogs as pets and were excellent at trade.

The Susquehannock suffered an extremely rapid decline due to infectious diseases introduced by European colonists in the late 1600’s.  In just 30 years, this indigenous tribe, which had numbered 7,000 at its zenith, was reduced to 300 and forced to move to its last remaining village in Lancaster County.  There, they were massacred by a vigilante group, known as the Paxton Boys – Scottish Protestants fueled by a mis-information campaign. The last two known Susquehannock, a couple named Michael and Mary, were sheltered from the massacre in 1763 on a farm near Manheim, PA, and were buried on the property when they died, out of reach of the mighty Susquehanna.

This is the history of the land in which we live and prosper. 

Gamut’s mission is to tell classic stories in new and exciting ways.  Little is known about the storytelling of the Susquehannock people and scant remains of its language have survived.  If you have information regarding stories told by the tribe, please contact us at info@gamuttheatre.org.

While the Susquehannock tribe is gone, there are many current Native American people that have survived over 300 years of white suppression. The Lenape Nation of PA, located in Easton, PA, is the closest surviving tribe to the Susquehannock and is active in the revival of tradition and community. We encourage you to learn more and support at https://www.lenape-nation.org.