Narragansett Runestone Dedicated

[CMD]

Today was a special day for yours truly. An artifact I first located on April 7, 1985, and which was stolen off the shoreline of Narragansett Bay, all 3-4 tons of it, in 2012, was today installed in a permanent location in the village of Wickford, RI. just a few miles from its original find location. Three of the photographs I took in April, 1985, were included on the signage created for this display. It's great to see it protected for future generations of Rhode Islanders and tourists alike to enjoy and ponder. Regardless of its true origins, which may never be known....


Here, North Kingstown Town Historian Tim Cranston speaks to the assembled guests..




Scott Wolter, who popularized this inscription on the History Channel, thanks RIDEM lead detective Sheila Paquette, who investigated the theft, and Steve DiMarzo, research coordinator for the RI chapter of the New England Antiquties Research Association (NEARA), who was responsible for urging the state to protect this artifact prior to its disappearance in 2012....




Town Historian Tim Cranston unveils the Narragansett Runestone. October 30, 2015, 30 years after we located it, and after I published the first article describing its existence....




The Narragansett Runestone:




The signage:

[CMD]

The photos accompanying the signage.









Earliest photo of the inscription, taken on April 7, 1985.....









A good crowd was on hand. Beautiful Fall day by Wickford Harbour, Wickford Village, North Kingstown, RI.





An roof of sorts remains to be put in place, so the inscription is not too exposed to the elements.

[Hoss]

Wow that is awesome Charlie thanks for sharing the story with us. Very cool that they used your photographs in the display too!

[clovisoid]

Very, very cool thing. You should be very proud of your part in that, congrats!!!

[OnewiththewilD]

thats really awesome Charlie! and big congrats to you for your part in the larger story, and now your name will be forever attached to such a great artifact for all to see, and you deserve it too. great ending to the story, and its really cool its finally on display. i really wish i could have seen it personally when it was still in the bay.

[CMD]

Thank you your kind words, folks. Jay, RJ Heim was there from channel 10 filing a report. So here's a video. I show up now and then if you can spot me, lol...

How could I have ever guessed 30 years ago that someone would steal several tons of rock from such a location!? We thought we would never see it again. And we even knew who took it! One of the richest men in America!! My guess was it had been dumped in deep, deep water. But, it came back. I am proud of the role I played. I loved promoting RI when I wrote articles, back in the day. Throwing this out there was my way of saying "look at this cool artifact from RI". Now everybody can enjoy it in a great new setting. Boy, am I glad I saved those negatives!! Lol.....

http://turnto10.com/news/local/mysterious-multi-ton-stone-has-new-home

[Hoss]

Ahhh Charlie wearing Buffalo Plaid right at the 1.25 mark in the vid on the left side. You must be very proud of the picture use. That is so cool. What did Andy Warhol say "every one in the future will get fifteen minutes of fame. "

[-=METACOM=-]

Can't wait to go see it in person. Awesome story and great work.

And I couldn't spot you in the video, feel free to give a hint.

[CMD]

Can't wait to go see it in person. Awesome story and great work.

And I couldn't spot you in the video, feel free to give a hint.

I'm wearing a red plaid jacket. From the 18-27 second mark, I'm on the left talking with friends, and then where Hoss says, toward the end. I will say this is the most interesting artifact I ever "found". Of course, I did not really find it; just alerted people to it's existence.

[gregszybala]

Wow! What can I say that you don't already feel. Congratulations

[CMD]

Ahhh Charlie wearing Buffalo Plaid right at the 1.25 mark in the vid on the left side. You must be very proud of the picture use. That is so cool. What did Andy Warhol say "every one in the future will get fifteen minutes of fame. "

Well, here's the thing. When I wrote an article about this rock, for the NEARA Journal, I could not use any photos that showed the rock in setting. Or even any photos that showed the entire rock. Photos that fit that definition could be used to ascertain the location. And that meant potential harm. A very isolated section of the coast, in the sense that the public would not easily access it by land. Still, I decided I could not risk too many people figuring out the location. As far as I am concerned, it would have been unethical for me to publish the exact location, so long as the rock lay unprotected. I just described the rock as "located on Narragansett Bay" when I wrote it up.

Now, later researchers had no such qualms. And the point was reached where the rock had frequent visitors. And that in turn irritated one landowner in particular. Who took it upon himself to see to it that visitors would have no reason to visit any longer.

Anyway, now it's safe, and I can finally use these photos without worrying about the rock.

Here's the first published photo, a color version of one of the photos used in the display, and a photo of the late Dr. John Fisher, URI geologist, examining the inscription in June, 1985.

[OnewiththewilD]

a place i know so well ! and great quahogging around that area too!

[CMD]

You bet. I have other friends that favor Pojac Point for shellfishing too!

[2ndoldman]

That is such an amazing artifact Charlie. Can you tell me why there is never any mention as to who it was who took it from the beach?

[CMD]

That is such an amazing artifact Charlie. Can you tell me why there is never any mention as to who it was who took it from the beach?

Bruce, he's a member of one of the wealthiest "old money" families in America. A true billionaire I'm told. I'm always reluctant because I don't have his resources in the event of a lawsuit.

He grew tired of all the visitors, some of whom no doubt trespassed to get to the shore in front of his house. Groups of people on the shore in front of his house irritated him. I believe they paid $15 million for the property, to use as a summer home. The rock, because it was below the mean high tide line, was on public property. I've never seen the AG's office name him. Just have to be careful is how I look at it. Getting the rock back was the only thing that mattered. If you look at the photo of the rock after it was unveiled, those long "plow scars" atop the rock happened the night the rock was carted away. By land or by sea I actually don't know....

[Kyflintguy]

Thanks for sharing this Charlie, im glad the stone is back were the public can enjoy it! Your photos and work with this stone is something to be very proud of! Im glad you saved those negatives too!!