Pamunkey Indian Tribe Museum facts for kids
| Established | 1979 |
|---|---|
| Location | King William,  Virginia |
The Pamunkey Indian Museum and Cultural Center is a special place in Virginia. It is located on the Pamunkey Indian Reservation. This museum teaches visitors all about the Pamunkey Indian Tribe. You can learn about their amazing history and how they lived. It covers a huge span of time, from 12,000 years ago right up to today!
Contents
Discover the Pamunkey Museum!
Building the museum started in 1979. Two main people helped a lot. They were Warren Cook, a Pamunkey tribal member, and Errett Callahan, an expert in ancient tools. The museum officially opened its doors on October 11, 1980.
A Glimpse into History
When the museum first opened, it had a cool "living Indian Village." This village showed how people lived long ago. Sadly, this part of the exhibit is no longer there.
Today, the museum uses glass display cases. These cases show how the Pamunkey Indian Tribe lived. They are the main part of the museum's exhibits. Grover Miles, another Pamunkey member, built these cases when the museum started. They still hold most of the museum's collection.
The displays combine new items with old ones. Many replicas, or copies, were made by Errett Callahan. There are also real Native American artifacts. These were given by tribal members from their own family collections.
Exploring the Exhibits
The display cases start with information from 12,000 years ago. This was during the Ice Age! They cover all the different time periods up to modern times. Each display case has four main themes. These themes help you understand the Pamunkey way of life. They are even color-coded to make it easier to follow.
The People of Pamunkey (Blue)
This section shows how the Pamunkey people lived during each time period. You can see what their daily lives were like.
Nature's Influence (Green)
This part focuses on the natural world around them. It shows the environment where the Pamunkey people lived.
Where They Lived (Yellow)
Here you can learn about the homes and villages they built. It shows the different types of dwellings they used.
How They Survived (Red)
This section displays the tools the Pamunkey used. It also shows how they found food and survived in their world.
Take Home a Piece of History
The museum also has a gift shop. You can find many items designed and made by Pamunkey Tribal Citizens. One special item is pottery. This pottery is made using techniques that are hundreds of years old. The clay for it comes right from the Pamunkey River!
