Exploring the Mashantucket Pequot Museum – Mommy Poppins

Nestled within the forests of Southeast Connecticut, the Mashantucket Pequot Museum and Analysis Heart explores the historical past of Native People within the area. Owned and operated by the Mashantucket Pequot tribe, the museum wows guests of all ages with conventional arts and crafts, movies, everlasting and non permanent displays, and wonderful archaeological finds. The shows carry the wealthy historical past of indigenous peoples to life whereas opening home windows to what Connecticut regarded like 1000’s of years in the past.

Do your youngsters like historical past? There are additionally some ways to study Connecticut historical past in New Haven, Fairfield, and Hartford! For extra nice instructional actions, take a look at A Visti to the New England Air Museum in Connecticut with Youngsters and the Stamford Museum & Nature Heart: 7 Household-Pleasant Issues To Do.

The mastodon is among the displays that can amaze kids. Photograph courtesy of the Museum

Comply with the little purple paw prints on the sidewalk to the entrance door of the Mashantucket Pequot Museum and Analysis Heart, the place you will be greeted by useful employees. After shopping for your ticket hop on the escalator and descend (truly I feel we rode this thrice) into the previous the place you’ll hear the frenzy of water and be surrounded by faux ice lined partitions. Welcome to the Ice Age.

Why the Mashantucket Pequot Museum is a good household vacation spot?

The historical past of those indigenous folks dates again to earlier than Connecticut was actually liveable. This museum provides you a glimpse into the times when the mastodon (a lot, a lot larger in particular person!) Youngsters will likely be amazed on the lifelike photos of animals they’ve solely examine in books. In the identical space you possibly can see a number of the earliest indigenous folks. You may hear their voices as a pre-recorded dialog takes place proper in entrance of you. See their caribou pores and skin apparel and watch them hunt and work together with the animals.

Forward, an exhibit of forest life in Connecticut. It seems prefer it could possibly be your yard full with squirrels, birds and different very acquainted animals. Do not rush by way of the small cinema which exhibits a brief movie about how the natives made and used instruments.

This Sixteenth-century scene of on a regular basis life was simply one of many scenes the place kids can stand up shut. Photograph by Jennifer Coe.

Should see issues on the Mashantucket Pequot Museum

Our very favourite place within the museum is the Sixteenth century Pequot village exhibition. This exhibition exhibits what life was like earlier than Europeans and after. See how a younger girl retains the birds away from her corn, how the boys fish within the pond and the function of the older members of the tribe. Stand up near the ladies who weave a bull-rush internet to catch fish and stroll in a wig wam and see how a lot area the group needed to collect round a fireplace and inform tales. It additionally exhibits how the lives of the natives modified drastically after the arrival of the Europeans as they confronted new threats equivalent to warfare and devastating illnesses.

My son walked near the scenes wanting on the particulars and asking questions. He actually enjoys poking round within the open wigwams and introducing himself as a Native American.

See how indigenous peoples lived in instances passed by. Photograph courtesy of Mashantucket Pequot Museum.

He was significantly within the video vignettes of the English and Dutch merchants and the indigenous group member, as they defined their advanced and altering relationship with one another and with the land. The museum additionally exhibits a documentary-style movie in regards to the Pequot Conflict during which 600 Pequot males, girls, and kids had been killed. We determined to attend to see this till my son was a bit older as it’s reflective of how violent that point was.

As you progress in time, additionally, you will see how the Pequot tried to rebuild their lives and return to their houses in Southeast CT, however on the similar time misplaced folks to struggle, migration and white settlement.

You could be questioning why your youngsters are studying about Connecticut’s native heritage? The reason being that they’ve been right here for 1000’s of years and nearly misplaced after which needed to combat to protect their wealthy cultural heritage. Their story is actually considered one of perseverance.

Go to the Institute of Native American Research to be taught extra in regards to the Native historical past of Connectcutcut.

Know earlier than you go

The museum is open from 9am to 5pm, Wednesday by way of Saturday; final entry is at 4pm. Admission is $22 for adults, $13 for ages 6 to 17, and free for ages 5 and beneath. From July 1 to September 5, Connecticut kids 18 years and youthful (together with one accompanying Connecticut grownup) obtain free admission. Kids beneath 15 have to be supervised by an grownup always. All backpacks and outsized luggage have to be checked on the entrance. Strollers are allowed.