Museum of Indian Culture facts for kids
Museum of Indian Culture in October 2017
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| Former name | Lenni Lenape Historical Society's Museum of Indian Culture |
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| Established | 1980 |
| Location | 2825 Fish Hatchery Road Allentown, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Type | Cultural |
The Museum of Indian Culture is a special place in Allentown, Pennsylvania. It is a non-profit organization and an educational center. Its main goal is to teach people about the history and culture of the Lenape people. It also shares information about other Native American groups from the Northeastern United States. The museum works to keep these important cultures alive for future generations. You can find it in the Lehigh Parkway at 2825 Fish Hatchery Road.
Contents
Discovering the Museum's History
The Museum of Indian Culture first opened its doors in 1980. It was originally known as the Lenni Lenape Historical Society's Museum of Indian Culture. This museum is the oldest one in Pennsylvania that focuses only on Native American history. Its first goal was to teach people in Pennsylvania about the state's own native peoples.
Who Started the Museum?
The museum was started by Dorothy Schiavone and her daughter, Carla Messinger. The building where the museum is located is very old. It is a historic Pennsylvania German stone farm house. There is also a two-story stone spring house nearby. The Bieber family built these buildings around 1750.
Changes and New Focus
In 2003, the museum got new leaders. They wanted to make sure the museum had good relationships with local governments. They also wanted to connect with Native American tribes recognized by the government. In 2005, the museum changed its name to the Museum of Indian Culture. It also started showing exhibits from tribes all across North America.
How the Museum Helps Today
Today, the museum is a great place for learning about Native American tribes. It helps people do research on these cultures. The museum also hosts fun festivals. It offers tours and special programs for the community. These events help everyone learn more about Native American culture and history.
Exploring Museum Exhibits
The Museum of Indian Culture has many different Native American items. You can see stone tools, ceramics, and beautiful carvings. There are also old photographs, weapons, beadwork, and basketry. These items come from all over North America.
Special Collections to See
Some special collections include baskets from the Hupa tribe in California. There is also a display of ceremonial clothing from the Aztec people of Mexico. You can also see a collection of stone tools from a Lenape tribe right here in Pennsylvania.
The Broomall Rock Shelters Story
One interesting part of the collection comes from the Broomall Rock Shelters. Amateur archeologists Frank Sterling, Paul Delgrego, and W. W. Venney found these shelters. They discovered a skeleton in one of them. More than 3,000 years ago, Lenape Indians used these shelters. They found protection from the cold and rain there. The museum has an exhibit that shows artifacts found in these shelters.
See also
