Native American educator Ren Herdman visited the Vinton History Museum on July 12 to
present archaic Native American artifacts donated by the Central Appalachian Cherokee Tribe to
the museum for its collection and eventual display (probably this fall).
Herdman (on right) presented Native American artifacts to the Vinton History Museum dating back to 700-
500 B.C. Here, she demonstrates the use of the grinding stone to Vinton History Museum
President Randy Layman. (photos by Debbie Adams)
The items came from areas of Roanoke County and Glade Creek, and include grinding stones,
plates, and pottery chards with a reed pattern. Herdman said this donation was made to honor her
ancestors.
Herdman is a native of Vinton and a graduate of William Byrd High School. Early on, she was a
local television journalist; she moved to Denver and now is based in South Carolina, spending a
good deal of her time traveling as an educator, speaking at museums, libraries, and organizations
about Native American topics. She is also a well-known martial arts instructor, teaching self-
defense to Native American women.
She is multi-ethnic herself, and a descendant of Jesse Brock, a Cherokee patriot who served as a
scout in the American Revolution.
Randy Layman, president of the Vinton History Museum and Historical Society, was on hand to
accept the donation of the artifacts from Herndon. Executive Director Judy Cunningham
documented their intake.
Herdman, dressed in full Native American regalia, shared details of the artifacts with a group
gathered for the presentation. She noted that the items dated back to 700-500 B.C.– the pottery
shards possibly even farther. All were found locally, not on federal or state property, but on
private land and waterways. She called attention to the fact that Roanoke is literally five minutes
from a huge Native American hunting area.
“We are surrounded by history,” museum volunteer Ann Hewitt said. “It gives you a profound
respect for the past.”
Herdman is a tribal member of the Central Appalachian Cherokee Tribe, a 5013c non-profit
organization established for the purpose of tribal education.
The Vinton History Museum already has a small collection of Native American artifacts, mainly
projectile points, frequently referred to as arrowheads. The term arrowhead is a misleading
descriptor, as not all projectile points were part of a bow-and-arrow weapon system.
To hear a fascinating video presentation on Native American artifacts and customs by Herdman,
recorded by the Vinton History Museum in 2021, visit the Facebook page at
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064545885609&sk=videos.
