Tomaquag Indian Memorial Museum facts for kids
 |
|
| Lua error in Module:Location_map at line 420: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value). | |
| Established | 1958 |
|---|---|
| Location | 390 Summit Rd, Exeter, Rhode Island USA |
| Founder | Princess Red Wing |
The Tomaquag Indian Memorial Museum is a special place in Exeter, Rhode Island, where you can learn all about the history and culture of Indigenous peoples. It's a museum dedicated to sharing the stories and traditions of Native Americans who have lived in southeastern New England for a very long time.
This museum was started in 1958 by two amazing women: Eva Butler, who studied people and cultures, and Princess Red Wing, a strong woman from the Narragansett and Pokanoket tribes. It is one of the oldest museums in the United States that focuses on tribal history.
In 2016, the Tomaquag Museum received a big award called the National Medal for Museum and Library Service. This award is given to museums and libraries that do great work for their communities. U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse helped nominate the museum for this honor.
Contents
Discovering Native American Culture
The Tomaquag Museum is a fantastic place to explore the rich history and living cultures of Native American tribes. These tribes include the Narragansett, Niantic, Pokanoket, Wampanoag, and Nipmuck peoples. They have lived in southeastern New England for thousands of years.
What You Can See Inside
Inside the museum, you'll find many interesting exhibits. You can see traditional crafts, like beautiful baskets made from ash wood. There are also unique dolls created by local artists. The museum keeps important historical records, some of which date back to the 1880s. These records help us understand the past.
The exhibits also highlight important Indigenous figures. You can learn about Princess Red Wing, one of the museum's founders. Another famous person featured is Ellison "Tarzan" Brown Sr., a well-known runner.
Exploring the Museum Grounds
Outside the museum, there are even more things to discover. You can visit a wetu, which is a traditional domed hut used by Native Americans. It shows how people lived long ago. There's also a special garden called a Three Sisters garden. In this garden, corn, beans, and squash are grown together, just as Native Americans have done for centuries. This way of farming helps the plants grow better.
The museum grounds also include a peaceful forest. You can also find an outdoor Friendship Circle, a place for gathering and sharing.
The Museum's History
The land where the museum now stands was once home to the Dovecrest Restaurant and Trading Post. This business was started by Eleanor and Ferris Dove. The Dove family later generously donated their personal property. This gift helped create a permanent home for the Tomaquag Indian Memorial Museum.
The Nuweetooun School
In 2003, Lorén Spears started the Nuweetooun School right on the museum's site. This was a private school for students from kindergarten to eighth grade. It was open to all students but focused on supporting Indigenous youth. The school aimed to provide a unique learning environment. Sadly, the Nuweetooun School closed in the spring of 2010. It had to close because of damage caused by flooding.
Plan Your Visit
The Tomaquag Indian Memorial Museum welcomes visitors on Wednesdays and during weekends. It's a great place to learn about Native American history and culture.
See also
