Historic marker honors 'Father of American Anthropology'

AURORA - An eminent anthropologist finally made his mark on the Finger Lakes area as Masons installed a New York State Historical Marker in his honor. The very sign originally intended to honor him mysteriously disappeared two decades ago, and he remained relatively unknown to area residents.

On Saturday afternoon, Lewis Henry Morgan, "Father of American Anthropology," (1818--1881) had a historical sign placed near his birthplace, now a barn on Route 90 near Ledyard Road in Aurora.

"His study of Native Americans put a lot of fable and legend into proper perspective," Judy Furness, Historian for the Town of Ledyard, said at the sign ceremony. "He got rid of Indian lore and got into the science of the American Indian."