Southold Indian Museum

Education Programs

When you enter the Southold Indian Museum, you are confronted with an awesome collection of rocks, stones, tools, points (arrow, spear), hammerstones, hoes, bone awls and needles, foodstuffs, medicines, paints, shell necklaces, and many, many clay and soapstone pots. There are fish hooks, nets, the bottom of a dugout canoe, two paleo points, and bannerstones used as weights for atlatls (spear throwers). There are sharp stone knives; one, splitting a rabbit skin so clothing might be produced. These are the artifacts left here by "those who came before."

It is an exciting challenge to museum educators to help school classes and other groups make connections between the artifacts on display in the exhibit cases and the people whose hands cut and scraped the animal skins, twisted cordage and sinew, wove nets, gathered medicinal herbs, hunted and fished in Long Island forests, bays, and streams.

To make these connections we use stories passed along from "those who came before" to "those who are still here." Our drums, rattles, and flutes are handmade by American Indians, from North, South , Central America and Canada. The music and dance movements are as taught to Indian boys and girls; thanks to materials produced by American Indians wishing to share elements of their lifeways with all people.

Our programs have been designed to broaden awareness and experience with Native American culture. Each program is about 1 and ½ hrs in length and will include an informal lesson (story and hands-on explorations), as well as a related take home craft project. All of the workshops can be adapted to any age, grade, or group needs.

Follow the links below to explore our workshop programs. For further information or to plan a workshop for your group, contact our Education Coordinator, who can be reached through e-mail waipeg@optonline.net or by telephoning 631-325-1727.