Visit the Mashantucket Pequot Museum
If a trip to Connecticut is in your future, then add the Mashantucket Pequot Museum (pequotmuseum.org/) to your itinerary. This hidden gem is just seven miles north of Mystic, and it’s definitely worth the short drive through the countryside. Although its more famous neighbor — Foxwoods Casino — gets the bulk of the press, this excellent museum presents a solid interpretation of the history of Native Americans in the Northeastern US. Even better — wheelchair-access wasn’t an afterthought; in fact it was an integral part of the plan from the beginning.
Access With a Capital A
The museum building itself is a work of art, and the its very design encourages integration rather than segregation. There are barrier-free pathways throughout the building and excellent access to all exhibits. That said, this enlightened approach to access was no accident; if fact it can be traced back to one of the core beliefs of the tribe — respect for their elders.
As in many other Native American cultures, older members of the Mashantucket Pequot tribe are held in high regard, and are greatly respected for their wisdom and knowledge. As it so happened, Skip Hayward (the chairman of the Tribe when the museum was developed) had a mother who was a wheelchair-user, so he had first-hand knowledge of access issues. He wanted to make the museum accessible to everyone, as a sign of respect not only to his mother but to other elders as well. And again, the result is very inclusive, and something many other venues should consider. Wheelchair-users and slow walkers will have no problems accessing any area of the facility.
Excellent Exhibits
Although this 85,000-square-foot museum, primarily focuses on the history and customs of the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation, it also includes a good number of exhibits on the other Native American tribes is the Northeastern US.
The permanent exhibits are filled with dioramas, film clips and interactive exhibits. They chronical the history of the Northeastern tribes, as well as give folks an idea of what life on the reservation was like. There’s are also some stunning artwork, which depicts the creation story of nine tribes from the area. And the exhibits also explore tough issues that the tribes had to deal with, such as surviving in a cold climate and how the changing environment altered their daily lives. Don’t miss installations include an excellent recreation of a 16th-century coastal Pequot village, as well as a very sobering video about the massacre of 1637.
Outside the museum there is also a pleasant natural area, where you can walk around and enjoy the scenery. As with everything else in the museum, this area features level access and barrier-free pathways. And don’t miss the gift shop, which offers everything from birch baskets and textiles, to locally harvested maple syrup and of course jewelry. It’s a great way to top off your visit to the Mashantucket Pequot Museum. Not only is the craftsmanship excellent, but the prices are also quite reasonable.
