Museum of Native American Dwellings

Museum of Native American Dwellings

Museum Curator Northeast Southwest Welcome to the Museum of Native American Dwellings Present Day Northwest Plains Exit

To Entrance Museum Entrance Northeast Dwellings

Northwest Dwellings Room 3 To Entrance

Plains Dwellings Room 4 Entrance

To Entrance Southwest Dwellings Room 2

To Entrance Present Day Room 2

Northeast Longhouse Longhouses were designed to hold a number of families who lived communally. Each families had separate fires and sleeping areas. Inside a crackling fire would be vented with holes in the ceiling to allow smoke to escape. A typical longhouse would be approximately 50 feet long. When researching this particular style of Native dwelling I came across a great teacher resource. The following URL leads to a page on constructing a longhouse in the classroom. http://www.scott.k12.va.us/martha2/longhouseactivity.htm I have included this style home because it was found throughout the Northeast region of Native settlements. Image acquired at: http://www.scott.k12.va.us/martha2/longhouses.htm Return to Room

Typical Longhouse Style Village In large Native American villages of the Northeast longhouses were often found in rows. Much like our communities of today. These communities were surrounded by a fence to keep out unwanted guests and predators. These housing styles not only protected the peoples of a village but also protected crops. Villages were often moved according to the fertility of the lands around them. One longhouse often held up to several hundred people. These homes were especially popular with the Iroquois in New York and Ontario. I have included this picture to show the sense and style of community living various tribes have used since the prehistoric times. Image acquired at: http://www.mnsu.edu/emuseum/prehistory/settlements/regions/northeast.html Return to Room

Northeastern Wigwam The Wampanoag and other tribes of the Northeast constructed wigwams as shelter for their families and tribes. The curved structure helps to protect against harsh weather. The structures are made out of bent branches, the sides and roofs were often covered with stripped bark from trees. Inside the home planks are laid on the floor which are covered with pelts for comfort. The curved structure made the home as safe and warm as a colonial style home. I have included this structure in my museum because vast numbers of tribes used this style structure both in pre and post colonial times. Image acquired at: http://www.mayflowerhistory.com/History/indians5.php Return to Room

Plimoth Plantation I have included this depiction because I think it is a wonderful teaching tool. The dwelling is part of a virtual tour of what it is believed to have been like in Plymouth in 1627. This dwelling was typical of a home of Plymouth area Natives. It is constructed using long grasses. The long grasses helped to keep warmth in during the bitter winters of the Northeast region. It was used by the Wampanoag Natives. Image acquired at: http://gonewengland.about.com/library/blplimoth9.htm Return to Room

Southwest Pueblo In the southwest many Native Americans constructed pueblos as dwellings for their tribes. These structures were made from a mixture of baked clay and straw called adobe. These dwellings were perhaps the most permanent of any Native dwellings found in America. One single dwelling could house hundreds of people. Many of the prehistoric examples of these dwellings are studied by archeologists. I have included this dwelling in my collection because it is one of the oldest known forms of dwellings present in America. Image acquired at: http://www.culturecorner.org/Nov-19-05.html Return to Room

Anasazi Ruins The Anasazi were often found in the cliff areas of the Southwest United States. The picture shown is of ruins discovered in the southwest corner of what is now known as Colorado. These ruins often date back to before the thirteenth century. Many tribes of the southwest built structures similar to this to help keep out the intense heat of the region. The dwellings were made of sun baked clay. Although many of the tribes of the southwest disappeared before the settlers arrived, they are a very important part to our country’s history. Image acquired at: http://www.desertusa.com/ind1/ind_new/ind21.html Return to Room

Cliff Dwellers Cliff dwellings were formed by cutting niches into niches or caves in high places. These dwellings can be found throughout the cliff areas of the southwest. The dwellings which have been discovered are sometimes as high as thousands of feet. The dwellings contain dozens and sometimes hundreds of rooms. Cliff dweller tribes were a important part of the history of the southwest. Used by various tribes as homes throughout history. Many of these dwellings have now become tourist attractions. Image acquired at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cliff_dwelling Return to Room

Building of Pueblos I have included this wonderful depiction of creation of a pueblo in my gallery as part of the historical importance of contributions the Native Americans made to modern society. The Anasazi and Pueblo natives used masonry to create their dwellings. These dwellings were built into cliffs, utilizing the tops of caves as roofs. Doorways were carved out to allow relations to access other families within the complex. Wooden or bone ladders were used to reach upper and lower levels. Ceremonial chambers were reached in the same way. A complex network of homes made up a urban style dwelling much like our dwellings in the present time. Image acquired at: http://www.mnsu.edu/emuseum/prehistory/settlements/regions/southwest.html Return to Room

Chinook Winter Lodge The depiction shown is of a Chinook winter lodge located in Oregon. These shelters were used during the winter months on the river banks. The houses were built from cedar planks and were 20-50 in length. The interesting thing about these lodges was the fact that they were built over excavation holes as to keep the lodges as warm as possible in the cold Northwest winters. The lodges were partitioned to hold many families. Tule mats were used for sleeping. I have included this in my collection to show the struggles and victories the Natives had to endure in different regions. Image acquired at: http://www.ohs.org/education/oregonhistory/historical_records/dspDocument.cfm?doc_ID=A8B9F4B2-FC2E-234F-D15D645E0D0AD979 Return to Room

Northwest Native Lodge Used in the cold Northwest climate, Native homes began to take on the appearance of Europeans settler lodges. These homes were well constructed to keep out the bitter winter weather. Some were made in a large rectangular shape to house many families, while examples such as the one shown were made for the leader’s family. The posts of these homes were often carved with Native scenes. Large totem poles could also be found in front of the dwellings. I included this depiction to show the change that Native housing began to go through after the Europeans arrived and influenced their culture. Image acquired at: http://www.mce.k12tn.net/indians/teaching/reading.htm Return to Room

Open Dwelling In the cold Northwest winters some dwellings did little to protect. This picture depicts a older Native woman and child who looks like they are struggling to find shelter. This dwelling may have been found in North California. The open dwelling shown does little to protect its inhabitants. I have included this picture to show the struggle against the elements the Natives had to survive. Image acquired at: http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14881/14881-h/14881-h.htm Return to Room

Pomo Indian Diorama I included this picture of a diorama to show the everyday life in a Pomo Indian village. It also depicts the style of housing found in the area. This diorama portrays typical life in a village. The young woman sits and weaves a basket while the young man gets his fish trap ready. This scene is believed to be typical of the Pomo Indians 1500 years ago. I also notice that the dwelling behind did not change much in the over 1000 year period up to the European arrival. Image acquired at: http://www.websandsuch.com/clspia/interpretivecenter.htm Return to Room

Comanche Camp This painting by George Catlin was done in 1834. This painting depicts a typical Comanche village of the time. The teepee style dwellings were typical of the area. The teepee was built tall with an opening in the top for smoke to escape. Teepees were often shown with designs indicative of the tribe they were used by. I included this painting because I love the way the Natives are shown intermingling in everyday life. Image acquired at: http://www.greatdreams.com/native/nativehsg.htm Return to Room

Plains Teepees Throughout the Plains area teepees were the preferred home of Native Americans. Most of these dwellings were made using deer, elk and buffalo skins. Wooden poles were used to support the structures. After the Europeans arrived many teepees were constructed using canvas material instead of the much sought after animal skins. I have included this in my Museum because it is the most recognizable of all Native dwelling of the time. Image acquired at: http://www.hud.gov/local/shared/working/r10/nwonap/longhouse.cfm?state=wa Return to Room

Wichita Grass Lodge I found this diorama of a grass lodge in a great teacher resource page for Kansas teachers. I thought it would lend nicely to the Plains dwellings in my museum. These homes were found throughout the Plains area, but mostly in Kansas. They were homes to the Wichita Natives. These dwellings were made from the tall grasses found throughout the area. Image acquired at: http://www.kshs.org/teachers/tours/plains_indian_homes.htm Return to Room

Native Plains Village This depiction is of a Plains Native camp. The depiction shows the change that the introduction of the horse might have made to the Comanche tribe. No longer did they have to hunt on foot. Life in the tribes became a little simpler. This painting was done by Nola Davis. I have included it in my collection because the village was typical of the area during the arrival of the Europeans. Image acquired at: http://www.texasbeyondhistory.net/forts/griffin/images/clash.html Return to Room

Idaho Reservation Probably one of the biggest travesties of modern time is the way that we have come to treat the native Americans hundreds of years after the Europeans came. I have included these pictures in this room to show the vast injustice I believe came about with the creation of Indian Reservations throughout the U.S.A. Image acquired at: http://www.chss.iup.edu/kpatrick/Cartomb.shtml Return to Room

Navajo Reservation This reservation found in Arizona depicts the horrid living conditions of modern day Native Americans. This is the travesty that began hundreds of years ago with the settling of the Europeans. Image acquired at: http://www.bized.co.uk/educators/16-19/economics/development/lesson/sup_povertyphotos.htm Return to Room

Tulalip Reservation This home found in the Tulalip reservation is typical of the housing in 1916. Located in the state of Washington it is home to 9,500 Native Americans still. Image acquired at: http://www.answers.com/topic/tulalip?cat=technology Return to Room

San Diego Reservation Located in the beautiful countryside of san Diego county is a reservation created to house Native Americans. Again you can see the squalor that the first inhabitants of our great land live in today. Image acquired at: http://www.sandiegohistory.org/journal/75fall/clevelandimages.htm Return to Room

Native American Map Europeans first landing in the Americas had no idea that the country was home to so many native peoples. The tribes of Native Americans spread from coast to coast. The invasion upon the Natives lands would cause bloodshed, disease and upheaval. I have included this map in my museum to help my gallery viewers to differentiate between the regions and tribes highlighted within these walls. I also believe it is important for students of Native American history to realize the vast numbers of tribes that were settled before the Europeans began to attribute to their decline. With that said I hope you enjoy the collection I have compiled of the settlements and housing styles of these various tribes. Image acquired at: http://www.evgschool.org/The%20Indians%20of%20the%20New%20World.htm Return to Entrance

Suzanne Hill The Idea of becoming a teacher came to me about a year ago. My Fiancée believes it was a mid-life crisis, I think it was an awakening. Either way it was the best decision I ever made. I love being a teacher and wouldn’t trade it for the world. Although history was always my least favorite subject in school, I find now it is my favorite of all. I love to bring life to history inside my fourth grade classroom. Unfortunately right now I am in a Reading First school which makes it very hard to find time to teach the History I have come to love. I do find ways, through read aloud time and writing activities to incorporate it into my curriculum. I love new ideas for teaching and appreciate any advice from more experienced teachers. Please contact me anytime with your input. smhill@interact.ccsd.net Return to Entrance Note: Virtual museums were first introduced by educators at Keith Valley Middle School in Horsham, Pennsylvania. This template was designed by Dr. Christy Keeler based on one of the sample virtual museums provided by the Keith Valley staff at ISTE’s NECC 2005. Contact Dr. Keeler for more information on using this template.

Museum of Native American Dwellings