Museum of Indian Culture

10/12/2026

Today the Museum of Indian Culture honors the enduring cultures, traditions, resilience, and contributions of Indigenous peoples. We recognize the generations who have preserved their languages, shared their knowledge, and carried their cultural traditions forward.

Through song, dance, regalia, and community, the Roasting Ears of Corn Intertribal Festival celebrates the vibrancy of Indigenous cultures and provides an opportunity for people to learn, connect, and experience these living traditions.

We are pleased to share this aerial video capturing the spirit of our 46th Annual Roasting Ears of Corn Intertribal Festival, held August 2026. Our sincere thanks to Bob Becker, founder and photographer of RDB Photo Media, for capturing and sharing this special perspective of our gathering.

May Indigenous Peoples' Day inspire us all to honor Native voices, deepen our understanding of Indigenous histories, and recognize the living cultures that continue to enrich our communities.

For more information on RDB Photo Media: https://www.rsbphotomedia.com/
Video Credit: © 2026 Robert S. Becker. All Rights Reserved.

10/07/2026

Remembering Victoria Joy Schenandoah

The Museum of Indian Culture extends its condolences to the family, relatives, and community of Victoria Joy Schenandoah, who passed away suddenly on September 30, 2026, in Syracuse, New York, at the age of 64.

Known as Vicky to those who loved her, Victoria was born in Poughkeepsie, New York, on December 17, 1961, to Oneida Wolf Clan Mother Maisie Shenandoah and Angus Beauvais. She was raised by her mother and Onondaga Pine Tree Chief Clifford Schenandoah and was an Onyota’aka (Oneida) Wolf Clan member.
She passed surrounded by her loving family and covered in prayers.

We honor Victoria’s life, family, heritage, and the many connections she shared within the community. May her memory continue to live on through those who knew and loved her.

Please read Victoria Joy Schenandoah’s full obituary here:
https://www.ironsidefuneralhome.com/obituaries/Victoria-Joy-Schenandoah?obId=49754760&source=fb0&fbclid=IwY2xjawUs32RleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBwZG9mBXNydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR5G8qbfxd8TYUAnpdlUL7z-aW5AsQlZPPMrWYVNN3TddlVg5n0M8lCe2c3UCg_aem_Iiwt7b4aYqYMk9m3L59PLA

Our thoughts and prayers are with her family, relatives, and community during this time of remembrance.

View Victoria Joy Schenandoah's obituary, contribute to their memorial, see their funeral service details, and more.

10/03/2026

Explore the Artistry of Beadwork at the Museum of Indian Culture

These moccasins are currently featured in the Museum of Indian Culture’s changing exhibition, Native American Beadwork: Evolution, Economics & Artistry.
The exhibition examines beadwork not simply as decoration, but as an evolving art form shaped by cultural traditions, artistic innovation, economics, materials, and individual craftsmanship.
Visit the museum to discover the stories held within the beads.

Moccasins and the Art of Beadwork
Moccasins are more than footwear. Across Native communities, they reflect craftsmanship, cultural traditions, family knowledge, and artistic expression. The Museum of Indian Culture’s collection includes examples that demonstrate how beadwork transforms functional objects into works of art and cultural significance.

Infant Moccasins
Cree (Subarctic) Design
c. 20th century
These infant moccasins were designed to protect developing feet while allowing natural movement. Moccasins made for infants were often created within families, with mothers and grandmothers passing along skills and knowledge through generations.

The pink and purple beadwork adds decoration to an otherwise functional object, demonstrating how artistry and everyday life can be closely connected.
Collection of the Museum of Indian Culture, Allentown, PA
Gift of Walter and Loretta Kennedy, 1993
Accession #1993.2.4. A-B

Floral Beaded Moccasins
Métis or Cree Tradition
c. 1920–1950
These early twentieth-century moccasins feature a floral design incorporating the Wild Prairie Rose, a five-petaled motif associated with the “Flower Beadwork People.”

The flowers were created using contour beading, a technique in which glass seed beads follow the contours of a design. This method allows the beadwork to emphasize the organic forms of petals and leaves while creating dimension and visual movement.

The prairie rose is also associated with resilience and growth. The layered buds and floral forms reflect knowledge of the natural world and the traditional importance of plants.
Collection of the Museum of Indian Culture, Allentown, PA
Gift of Carol Normington, in honor of Dr. Elizabeth Hurwitz and Josephine Krum
Accession #1994.7.4. A-B

Photos: ©2026 Gary Heller

09/26/2026

Behind the Lens: Preserving the Museum of Indian Culture’s Collection, One Artifact at a Time

ALLENTOWN, PA — Behind the scenes at the Museum of Indian Culture, an important preservation project is quietly getting underway—one photograph at a time.

Photographer Gary Heller, founder of Historic Rescue Photography, has been volunteering his time and expertise to photograph objects from the institution’s extensive collection. The long-term goal is to create a comprehensive photographic record of these artifacts and make that information more accessible through its new collections database.

The project is still in its early stages, but each photographed artifact represents another step toward documenting and preserving the collection for future generations. Once the holdings are fully cataloged, portions will be accessible to the public through an online portal.

During a recent session, Heller was joined by fellow photographer and friend Nils Hovik. The two spent time documenting artifacts as part of this ongoing effort.

In one photograph from the day, Heller can be seen behind the camera carefully capturing a bark sewing basket. While the photograph depicts a seemingly simple moment behind the scenes, it represents an important part of the cultural center’s larger mission: preserving, documenting, and sharing the stories held within its collection.

Through the generosity of volunteers like Heller and Hovik, the nonprofit is taking meaningful steps toward bringing its collection into the digital age while ensuring that these objects—and the knowledge and history associated with them—can continue to be studied and appreciated for generations to come.

For more information on Gary Heller’s Historic Rescue Photography please visit: https://historicrescue.com/

Museum of Indian Culture
2825 Fish Hatchery Road
Allentown PA 18103

Museum Hours:
Friday - Sunday 10 AM to 4 PM
Closed Major Holidays

09/12/2026

The Museum of Indian Culture would like to invite you to come and celebrate Grandparents Weekend with us by exploring one of our most fascinating collections—the Broomall Rockshelters of Delaware County, Pennsylvania.

The Broomall Rockshelters were two large rock overhangs once used as temporary shelters by Native Americas. The shelters were rediscovered in 1941 by three local artifact collectors: Frank Sterling, Paul Delgrego, and W. W. Yenney. One of the shelters, known as “D2, “is pictured here and standing beside the rock shelter is Frank Sterling, one of the three men who rediscovered these important archaeological sites. One of the shelters was later professionally excavated in 1943 by Dr. Mary Butler-Lewis, an archaeologist with the University of Pennsylvania.

The excavation revealed an extraordinary collection of artifacts, including almost 200 projectile points; collections of clay pipes, gorgets, hammerstones and celts, stone drills, and bone tools; over 1,000 pieces of pottery, much of it cord-marked, were also recovered. The various animal bones and flintknapping debris provided clues about the daily lives and activities of the people who once lived and worked at these sites.

Today, many of these artifacts are now preserved and displayed in the Museum’s Eastern Woodlands exhibit room, where they continue to tell stories to new generations.

This Grandparents Day, bring your grandparents, grandchildren, family, and friends to the Museum of Indian Culture to experience the exhibits together by asking questions, sharing stories and knowledge, and discover something new side by side. Because history becomes even more meaningful when it is shared across generations.

Museum of Indian Culture
2825 Fish Hatchery Road
Allentown, PA 18103
Museum Hours: Friday to Sunday 10 AM to 4 PM.
Phone: 610-797-2121
Email: [email protected]

09/11/2026

09/07/2026

This Labor Day, the Museum of Indian Culture celebrates the creativity and dedication that brings people together. Thank you to every artist, craftsperson, educator, vendor, performer, volunteer, and sponsor who contributed to the 46th annual Roasting Ears of Corn Intertribal Festival.

We truly appreciate Regina of for giving us a different view of our festival.

Happy Labor Day from the Museum of Indian Culture!

Museum of Indian Culture
2825 Fish Hatchery Road
Allentown PA 18103
Phone: 610-797-2121
Email: [email protected]
Hours: Friday through Sunday
10 AM to @4 PM
Closed Major holidays

09/05/2026

On International Day of Charity, the Museum of Indian Culture would truly appreciate our community’s support for the Three Sisters Harvest, our supplemental food assistance program for Northeastern Native American individuals and families.

The Three Sisters Harvest accepts:
• Non-perishable food donations
• Walmart gift cards — especially helpful for purchasing fresh meats, fruits, vegetables, and dairy products for families with special dietary needs
• Monetary donations — used for emergency heating assistance, replenishing food supplies, purchasing Walmart gift cards, and providing baby formula

Canned Meats (chicken, tuna, corned beef, ham); Soups, Stews & Pasta; Baking & Pantry Staples (flour, cornmeal, yeast, biscuit mix, cooking oil, baking powder, baking soda, salt, pepper, chili powder, cinnamon, sugar); Pasta; Fruits & Vegetables (canned fruits and vegetables, canned potatoes and sweet potatoes, dried fruits and vegetables); Tomato Products (tomato sauce, spaghetti sauce, stewed tomatoes); Beans (canned or dried beans); Breakfast Foods (cereal and oatmeal); Pantry Needs (rice, instant mashed potatoes, nuts, peanut butter, jelly/jam, Parmesan cheese, apple, grapefruit or grape juice, coffee, tea, powdered milk, evaporated milk); Personal & Household Items (toilet paper, sanitary napkins, toothpaste, moisturizer, laundry soap, bleach, soap, shampoo and conditioner); Walmart Gift Cards are especially valuable for families to purchase fresh foods such as meat, fruits, vegetables, and dairy products according to their individual needs.

Donations may be dropped off at the Museum of Indian Culture during regular business hours:
Friday to Sunday 10 AM – 4 PM

Monetary donations and Walmart gift cards may be mailed to:
Museum of Indian Culture
Three Sisters Harvest
2825 Fish Hatchery Road
Allentown, PA 18103

Checks should be made payable to Museum of Indian Culture – Three Sisters Harvest.

For more information, please contact Chris or Edna at 610-797-2121 or email [email protected]

08/29/2026

The Museum of Indian Culture would like to extend our deepest thanks to the dedicated individuals who help care for, preserve, and share Native American history and artifacts.

Your knowledge, time, and commitment help bring the past to life and give visitors a deeper understanding of the many Native cultures and traditions represented at our museum. Through the stories behind the artifacts and the history they preserve, you help create meaningful connections between generations.

We are grateful for all that you do to protect these important pieces of history and to help educate our community and visitors.

Museum of Indian Culture
2825 Fish Hatchery Road, Allentown, PA 18103
Hours: Friday through Sunday 10 am – 4 pm
Closed Major Holidays

Photos by K. Mosser