The Museum of Indian Culture
The Museum of Indian Culture
4
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.0
20 reviews
Excellent
11
Very good
2
Average
3
Poor
1
Terrible
3
BaltimoreTraveler91
Baltimore, MD25 contributions
Mar 2020
The Museum of Indian Culture is small, but worth a trip if you are in or near the Allentown area. Our tour guide was quite knowledgeable and provided us with a lot of information about the Lenape tribe in particular, and other Native American tribes from the region as well. Overall, a fun visit and a good history lesson!!!
Written 9 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SatnamYMas
Allentown, PA725 contributions
Aug 2014 • Family
This museum is rather small, but interesting. I have been there a few times and attended the Roasting Ears of Corn Festival for the first time this past weekend. I was pleasantly surprised. This is the 34th year of the regional Pow-Wow of all Native tribes held at the Museum of Indian Culture and open to the public.
There is a small admission fee for the event, but I felt it was worth it since there were many free activities once you got in the gate. There were free demonstrations of Native dancing, people in traditional dress representing various tribes walking throughout the event, American Indian drumming and singing, and the opportunity to throw a tomahawk or using an atlatl (spear thrower).
The vendors were interesting and most of them were selling traditional Native artifacts or crafts. The food was excellent and very reasonable ($2 for a roasted ear of corn, $1 for bottled water!) They had several interesting food choices such as Buffalo Stew and Indian Fried Bread (which tastes like funnel cake...)
The only downside was a booth for the New Jersey Frontier Guard 1756. Their website says, "The New Jersey Frontier Guard is a non-profit educational corps whose mission is the accurate portrayal of life in the Royal Province of New Jersey during the period of the French and Indian War (1756 - 1763)". They were far from accurate and pretty biased and racist in my opinion.
Open disclosure: my grandfather is half Ojibwe, but I am light, have blond hair and appear to have no Native blood in me. From the way this woman talked, I am sure she thought I was completely white because she referred repeatedly to "our innocent ancestors" having to "fight against these savages". Just one of her thoughts: "Our children were trained to be farmers, but these people trained their kids to kill from a young age. They raised their children to be sadistic killers. Is it in their genetic makeup to naturally be sadistic? I don't know, maybe so".
Here is another gem -- "Look -- we were helping them by being here. We improved their primitive lifestyle and they paid us back by slaughtering us. I mean, here is the needle they had been using and they were able to get a normal metal needle from the settlers. Here is the way they used to cut trees and we gave them axes. We helped them and they killed us just for the sake of killing. Did they get a deep satisfaction from killing and watching white people slowly die? That isn't for me to say, but I think so".
She ended her presentation with a 10-minute tirade about how "stupid Indians were to destroy the buffalo -- their main food source -- for pretty trinkets". I don't want to fight each piece of history with her, but yes -- Natives did have a major part to play in the decimation of America's buffalo population. She fails to mention that historians believe the U.S. Army and commercial hunters were major contributors as well. She repeatedly says that she "tells the truth", but doesn't tell the full truth and tells historical facts from a very slanted and biased position that help to show how white people are "innocent" and Natives are "savages".
The woman did explain that the owners of the museum saw their presentation elsewhere and felt she was "very hard on Natives" in her explanations and encouraged her to attend the festival to see a broader view of Native culture. I think perhaps the owners thought she would learn something from being at the festival, but I don't think she is learning anything. Maybe the owners of the museum are better people than I, but I would prefer not to give this woman any platform to spout her nasty biased view of history because someone might believe her.
So, overall -- visit the festival but be prepared if you visit this particular booth.
There is a small admission fee for the event, but I felt it was worth it since there were many free activities once you got in the gate. There were free demonstrations of Native dancing, people in traditional dress representing various tribes walking throughout the event, American Indian drumming and singing, and the opportunity to throw a tomahawk or using an atlatl (spear thrower).
The vendors were interesting and most of them were selling traditional Native artifacts or crafts. The food was excellent and very reasonable ($2 for a roasted ear of corn, $1 for bottled water!) They had several interesting food choices such as Buffalo Stew and Indian Fried Bread (which tastes like funnel cake...)
The only downside was a booth for the New Jersey Frontier Guard 1756. Their website says, "The New Jersey Frontier Guard is a non-profit educational corps whose mission is the accurate portrayal of life in the Royal Province of New Jersey during the period of the French and Indian War (1756 - 1763)". They were far from accurate and pretty biased and racist in my opinion.
Open disclosure: my grandfather is half Ojibwe, but I am light, have blond hair and appear to have no Native blood in me. From the way this woman talked, I am sure she thought I was completely white because she referred repeatedly to "our innocent ancestors" having to "fight against these savages". Just one of her thoughts: "Our children were trained to be farmers, but these people trained their kids to kill from a young age. They raised their children to be sadistic killers. Is it in their genetic makeup to naturally be sadistic? I don't know, maybe so".
Here is another gem -- "Look -- we were helping them by being here. We improved their primitive lifestyle and they paid us back by slaughtering us. I mean, here is the needle they had been using and they were able to get a normal metal needle from the settlers. Here is the way they used to cut trees and we gave them axes. We helped them and they killed us just for the sake of killing. Did they get a deep satisfaction from killing and watching white people slowly die? That isn't for me to say, but I think so".
She ended her presentation with a 10-minute tirade about how "stupid Indians were to destroy the buffalo -- their main food source -- for pretty trinkets". I don't want to fight each piece of history with her, but yes -- Natives did have a major part to play in the decimation of America's buffalo population. She fails to mention that historians believe the U.S. Army and commercial hunters were major contributors as well. She repeatedly says that she "tells the truth", but doesn't tell the full truth and tells historical facts from a very slanted and biased position that help to show how white people are "innocent" and Natives are "savages".
The woman did explain that the owners of the museum saw their presentation elsewhere and felt she was "very hard on Natives" in her explanations and encouraged her to attend the festival to see a broader view of Native culture. I think perhaps the owners thought she would learn something from being at the festival, but I don't think she is learning anything. Maybe the owners of the museum are better people than I, but I would prefer not to give this woman any platform to spout her nasty biased view of history because someone might believe her.
So, overall -- visit the festival but be prepared if you visit this particular booth.
Written 18 August 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Laurel B
East Stroudsburg, PA203 contributions
Feb 2012 • Couples
This is a small museum run by non-Native volunteers. Yet it is chock full of interesting exhibits and the volunteers are very knowledgeable. When I went, there was an interesting kachina exhibit. They also have a large selection of books, tapes, and DVDs that you can use while you are there.
Written 23 February 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tarika M
Phillipsburg, NJ125 contributions
Oct 2013 • Friends
I visited the Museum of Indian Culture recently and the staff was very friendly and eager to provide a tour of the museum. The museum consists of two small rooms of exhibitions and a library. The tour guide spent about about an hour giving us a tour of the two rooms which was very sweet because he seemed quite passionate about the museum, but there really wasn't that much to see to warrant an hour long tour. Also, I noticed that some of the information provided during the tour was not exactly accurate. I've visited Native American museums and ruins throughout Canada, the United States, and Mexico, as well as studied Native American culture for years and it was pretty easy to surmise that some of the facts provided during the tour were totally off. We probably would have been better off exploring the museum by ourselves.
More interesting, the exhibition of Kachina dolls which is one of the largest displays in the museum was not made by Native Americans, but by someone who was interested in Native American culture and designed his own. They were very nice but I really expected more artifacts and genuine Native American exhibitions.
The library at the museum had a selection of books and a large collection of VHS tapes. It was almost laughably funny though because one of the VHS tapes that they showed us as part of their research library was the 1992 Daniel Day Lewis movie, 'Last of the Mohicans'.
We moved on to the outside of the museum where they had a wigwam and mortar & pestle set up. The mortar & pestle was broken and the wigwam was only half finished and literally had a plastic white tarp with dirt on top of it. Taking pictures of it wouldn't even be possible without getting the plastic bag in the picture. Also, it really wasn't an authentic replica of a wigwam either. I've seen wigwams in the past before and their display didn't do it justice.
Overall, I would recommend a trip to the museum in conjunction with the Allentown Fish Hatchery which is right down the road. The staff genuinely seems to care about the museum and take pride in trying to make visitors experience a good one. Although there definitely could be some improvements at the museum, it is very cheap to enter and a nice activity for the weekend if you are local to the area.
More interesting, the exhibition of Kachina dolls which is one of the largest displays in the museum was not made by Native Americans, but by someone who was interested in Native American culture and designed his own. They were very nice but I really expected more artifacts and genuine Native American exhibitions.
The library at the museum had a selection of books and a large collection of VHS tapes. It was almost laughably funny though because one of the VHS tapes that they showed us as part of their research library was the 1992 Daniel Day Lewis movie, 'Last of the Mohicans'.
We moved on to the outside of the museum where they had a wigwam and mortar & pestle set up. The mortar & pestle was broken and the wigwam was only half finished and literally had a plastic white tarp with dirt on top of it. Taking pictures of it wouldn't even be possible without getting the plastic bag in the picture. Also, it really wasn't an authentic replica of a wigwam either. I've seen wigwams in the past before and their display didn't do it justice.
Overall, I would recommend a trip to the museum in conjunction with the Allentown Fish Hatchery which is right down the road. The staff genuinely seems to care about the museum and take pride in trying to make visitors experience a good one. Although there definitely could be some improvements at the museum, it is very cheap to enter and a nice activity for the weekend if you are local to the area.
Written 20 October 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kathleen D
Allentown, PA20 contributions
Aug 2019
First visit to the Corn Festival this summer. It was a terrific learning experience. The grandchildren had a wonderful time.
Written 18 November 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PaTraveler834
15 contributions
Oct 2018 • Couples
I’m a pretty big history nerd and when I can get my boyfriend to indulge me in a day every few months to visit historic/museum sites, this is always on my list. I feel like I see a new exhibit every time I go in and always learn something new...plus I love getting some jewelry and sage smudges from the gift shop :)
Written 17 October 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
justatraveler305
Abington, PA1 contribution
Aug 2018 • Family
I am very interested in the past, specifically the native peoples of Pennsylvania. I have been to the museum several times and have found they are running out of new topics for their exhibits. To say it bluntly, it's not great. I realize the museum is incredibly small, but how many time can you display the same Euro-american made kachinas dolls? Perhaps, it's time for a change in management? The Native American community is so rich and culturally diverse, I feel the museum has failed in its attempt to educate the public on "Indian Culture."
Written 15 October 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We appreciate your interest in the Museum of Indian Culture, and we are sorry to hear that your experience was less than satisfactory. When was your last visit to the museum? Have you seen the variety of new exhibits we’ve introduced over the past few years, including "Warrior Spirit: Journey of the Native American Warrior", "Navajo Code Talkers", "Ira Hayes Tribute", "The Mound Builders", "The Great Native American Toolkit", "Let's Powwow! History of Native American Dance Regalia, Customs, and Tradition"? Unfortunately museums cannot just acquire new artifacts everyday, but we do rotate exhibits as much as we can such as the Kachina collection which has not been on display in over 3 years. Also, to supplement our exhibits, we offer various educational events at the museum such as our "Saturdays at the Museum" programs featuring a variety of early Native American life skills demonstrations from flintknapping to basketry. Have you attended any of those? We also offer on-site and off-site Native American cultural heritage educational programs that may be customized to supplement the classroom experience. In addition to our exhibits, hands-on demonstrations, and educational programs our popular annual Roasting Ears of Corn Festival is held in August featuring Native American performers such as Bill Miller (Mohican), Joanne Shenandoah (Oneida), and Arvel Bird (Paiute), including dancers, singers and art vendors from across the United States and Canada. We appreciate your feedback, and if you have any suggestions for new exhibits or events you’d like to see at the museum, please do let us know.
Written 30 October 2018
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Danielle M
Miami, FL113 contributions
Aug 2017
The annual Roasting Corn Festival and Pow Wow at the Museum of Indian Culture is worth a trip to Allentown. Participants of every age and tribe, from as far as Mexico, perform traditional music and dances in their regional regalia. The drumming and chanting is insistent and makes you want to move. In addition, There are many historical displays of culture and techiniques, ranging from spear and tomhawk throwing to weaving and cooking. The central hearth of a traditional Lenape (the local PA tribe) village was recreated. Both cultural foods, bison stew and fry bread, and more common, hot dogs and burgers, were avialable and delicious. The crafts ranged from tacky copies to fine modern work, at every price point. All in all a GREAT day in every way!
Written 26 August 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
pr1guy
Allentown, PA1 contribution
May 2017 • Family
I went to the museum this past weekend with my wife and were impressed by what we found. The tour guides were knowledgeable and amicable. The Warrior Spirit exhibit was impressive. There is a lot to see and take in, the size of the building is deceiving.
I would definitely come back to learn more. I was also able to buy some Native American tea in the gift shop. Their prices were pretty good in comparison to other Native American museum gift shops I have visited.
I would definitely come back to learn more. I was also able to buy some Native American tea in the gift shop. Their prices were pretty good in comparison to other Native American museum gift shops I have visited.
Written 6 June 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Patrick T
1 contribution
Jun 2017 • Couples
I went into the Museum and was immediately welcomed by Wes, the atmosphere was amazing and Wes provided a very hands on education about the Indians, thank you so much for the amazing experience.
Written 6 June 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Are you pet friendly. I have a disabled pup.i carry in back or frontpack.or use buggy
Written 21 June 2019
Although the Lehigh Parkway where the museum is located is pet friendly, the museum only permits service dogs.
Written 25 June 2019
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