Sainte Marie Among the Iroquois Letterbox

Liverpool (Onondaga County), New York

            Sainte Marie among the Iroquois is one of several Onondaga County Parks found in Central New York.  For a map, directions, admissions and hours, go to http://www.co.onondaga.ny.us/.  Click on Park & Events; click on Sainte Marie among the Iroquois; click on map, directions, admissions, & hours.

            Sainte Marie among the Iroquois is a living history museum where the past comes to life.  During your visit you will be transported over 300 years back in time as costumed interpreters include you in the wilderness community of that time period.

Placed by:            Marilyn J. Breakey

Clues:                  Easy                

Terrain:                Easy

Hidden:                12 June 2001

CLUES:

            It is a mid-summer morning in 1657 when Pierre Esprit Radisson, with Jesuits and others in his party, arrives at his destination after coming by canoe from the far north.  Midway upon a beautiful lake they discern a fortified structure on the eastern shore.

            Approaching the mission and hailing the donne (men who volunteered to labor for the church) in the fields, Pierre Radisson relays that he has a secret message for Commandant Zacharie DuPuis.  Being advised that DuPuis is absent from the mission visiting native villages with the priests, Radisson places his secret message in a leather pouch and hides it within the mission walls. 

             1.  Because of Ste. Marie’s importance as a ‘threshold’ on the new frontier, Radisson chooses another threshold as a likely place to secrete his message.

 2.   At the mission entrance, on a bearing of 150 degrees, step off 26 paces.

 3.   A bearing of 240 degrees will lead you to the western wall of the living quarters that the mission residents are constructing and readying for winter.

 4.   A bearing of 330 degrees and one pace will bring you to the threshold where you may still find the leather pouch.

NOTES:

Since this a county park, letterboxers are asked to be discreet by not disturbing other visitors to the park or revealing to them the nature of the activity.   It is requested that when you have completed your quest you return the letterbox to its hidden site to the best of your ability. 

When you think you are in the area of your quest, and should there be an attendant/interpreter in the area, you must inform them that you are a ‘letterboxer.’  (Do not expect the attendant/interpreter to ‘step out of character’ to acknowledge your presence, but they will acknowledge you)!

It is also suggested that you show your appreciation to the county park system by stipulating ‘letterboxer’ after your name when signing the guest book.

I  wish to express my appreciation to Valerie Jackson Bell, Museum Curator, and her staff for their very welcomed and able assistance in placing this letterbox.