Long before European settlers arrived, the land belonged to the Esopus Munsee people, descendants of the  Lenape   nation. Unlike the iconic stone houses, their dwellings were circular structures made from natural materials like saplings and bark, known as wigwams. A replica stands today at the DuBois Fort Visitor Center, offering a glimpse into their way of life. The Esopus  Munsee  people, speaking a Munsee dialect of the Algonquian language family, inhabited the region for generations. Their way of life was intimately connected with the rhythms of nature, as evidenced by their circular dwellings known as wigwams. These homes, constructed from saplings and bark, provided shelter and warmth during the harsh winter months. In winter, the would share stories while around the communal fire, where elders imparted wisdom through tales about nature and the mysteries of the universe. One such story, cherished by both the Munsee and Mohican peoples, is the legend of the cel...