Explore the Museum of American Revolution in Philadelphia to explore Native American history, culture, and their role in the American Revolution. This is only a part of the museum’s annual Indigenous Peoples Weekend celebration, Oct. 12-14.
Lenape Social Dances
Onsite | Daily, 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 3 p.m.
Throughout the weekend, a group of dancers from the Delaware Tribe of Indians will perform traditional Lenape social dances on the Museum’s outdoor plaza for free and open to the public.
In the event of inclement weather, performances will move into the Museum’s lobby.
Meet the Revolution: Kehala and Jordan Smith
Onsite (Oneida Nation Atrium) | Daily, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
As part of our Meet the Revolution series, meet living history interpreters Kehala Smith (Tuscarora Nation, Turtle Clan) and Jordan Smith (Mohawk, Bear Clan), who will share stories about their culture, costuming, and traditions and engage guests in conversation about the past, present, and future of their people. They also will demonstrate and display culturally meaningful objects and materials, including woven baskets, slippery elm bark, and wampum belts.
Oneida Beadwork
Onsite | Daily, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Mary Homer and her daughter (both Oneida, Wolf Clan) will be onsite to display and sell their traditional Iroquois beadwork, including clothing, jewelry, purses, and more. They will also be demonstrating stitching traditional Iroquois beadwork at their table.
Revolution Place: Wampum Belt Craft
Onsite (Revolution Place) | Saturday & Sunday, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Wampum beads — purple and white beads made from seashells or (later) glass — were woven into patterns on belts to commemorate agreements between different communities of Native Americans and Europeans. Native American nations, such as the Oneida Nation, would design these belts to document what they discussed with others. Join a Museum educator in the Museum’s family-friendly discovery center, Revolution Place, on the lower level to color your own wampum belt with your own symbols and messages.
Discovery Cart: Two Kettles Together
Onsite | Daily
Join a Museum educator at a discovery cart featuring replica artifacts and documents to learn about Tyonajanegen (Two Kettles Together), an Oneida woman who participated in the violent Battle of Oriskany during the Saratoga Campaign.
Oneida Nation Gallery
Onsite | Daily
In the Museum’s core exhibition, visitors can explore an immersive multimedia gallery about the Oneida Indian Nation’s debate over whether or not to break away from the Six Nations Confederacy to support the Revolutionary cause. Listen as recreated figures representing Oneida men and women discuss the difficult choices they faced.
More information here