The history of Virginia and the DC region does not start with Jamestown or colonists but with the original inhabitants. When we homeschooled last year, we learned a bit about the Powhatan tribe that lived in northern Virginia. I was interested in more places in the area where we could go to learn more. Below is what I found from internet searches and asking others. Please let me know if you have more ideas!
Powhatan Clay Pots and Corn Grinding class at Huntley Meadows.
Places to Learn about Indigenous People’s in Washington, D.C.
Check out this great Guide to Indigenous DC with a map and details for 17 stops!
- National Museum of the American Indian DC: Read a review of our visit in Summer 2021.
- Theodore Roosevelt Island: “The Nacotchtank Indians, formerly of what is now Anacostia temporarily moved to Theodore Roosevelt Island in 1668” according to Wikipedia
- Embassy of Tribal Nations: Located on P street NW. Currently not allowing visitors.
- Liberty and Freedom Lummi Totem Poles at the Congressional Cemetery
Virginia places to learn about Indigenous People’s
- Huntley Meadows Wetlands - We had a great outdoor class at Huntley Meadows which is still offered monthly on Powhatan Clay Pots and Corn Grinding class. The ranger shared that the wetlands were like a giant grocery store for indigenous peoples pointing out all the different ways they used nature for food, tools and medicine. More here.
- Pamunkey Indian Museum - On the Tribal Reservation in King William Va (2 hrs from northern Virginia)
- Wolf Creek Cherokee Museum and Tribal Center - Richmond (2 hrs from DC)
- Monacan Ancestral Museum - Amherst Virginia (3 hrs from northern Virginia)
- Paspahegh Town at Jamestown Settlement - A part of the Jamestown settlement living history outdoor museum in Williamsburg, Virginia
Places to Learn about Indigenous People’s in Maryland
- Patuxent River Park - in Upper Marlboro Maryland has a replica American Indian village to explore. Check out @Md.Kid.Adventures post for great pics!
- Historic St. Mary's City - Replica of an Indian village at their outdoor living history museum. Check out @KidFriendlyMaryland highlights for great pictures.
- Jefferson Patterson Park & Museum - National Park Service operated with replicas and 65 archeological sites. Also the home of the Maryland Archeological Conservation Laboratory which has around 8 million artifacts.
