Mitchell Museum of the American Indian Offers Fun for the Whole Family with Expanded Summer Activities Schedule
This summer the Mitchell Museum of the American Indian is expanding its activity offerings for the whole family. In addition to our regular weekend craft schedule, we are offering bi-weekly tours of our Ho-Chunk ciporoke lodge, Sunday trivia, and a weekday DIY craft program August 18-21 to fill the void between camps and the start of the school year. Activities are free with regular admission.
Last September, a delegation from the Ho-Chunk nation built the ciporoke on our west lawn. The ciporoke is a temporary structure that has been used as a home, gathering space for ceremonial purposes, and a teaching lodge. Its design has not changed in over 1,000 years. Thirty minute tours will be held every Wednesday at 4pm and every Saturday at 1:30pm.
On Sundays from 2-2:30pm, visitors can test their knowledge on facts and figures about American Indian history, art and culture with a staff lead Native trivia game. Do you know how many Native Americans live in the Chicagoland area? How many federally recognized tribes are there in the United States? What is the Winnebago tribe known as today? Guests will not only have fun playing along, but will learn more about American Indian peoples in the process.
Kid's crafts are offered Saturdays 11:00 am-noon and Sundays 12:30-1:30 pm, as well as all day during regular business hours the week of Aug. 18-21. Kids can make simple versions of traditional Native American items including Talking Feathers, Button Blankets, Quill Boxes, and more.
The complete summer Craft Program Schedule is as follows:
June:
6-7 Woven Wall Hanging
13-14 Talking Feathers
20-21 Moccasins
27-28 Cherokee Book of Words
31 Bolo Ties
July:
5 Button Blankets
11-12 Snow Goggles
18-19 Zuni Fetish Statues
25-26 Plains Parfleche
August:
1-2 Quill Boxes
8-9 Concho Belts
15-16 Coyote Crafts
22-23 Seminole Patchwork
29-30 Lakota Star Quilts
ALL DAY DIY CRAFTS: August 18-21
Kid's craft activities are recommended for children ages 5 and up, but there is no minimum age requirement. Participants must be accompanied by an adult. No pre-registration is necessary.
This summer, and throughout the year, we have trained docents available to guide visitors through our permanent exhibit "A Regional Tour of American Indian Cultures." The tour covers tribal lifeways of the main regions of the United States and Canada including the Woodlands, Plains, Southwest, Northwest Coast and Artic areas. Tours are $6 per adult and $4 per senior/youth with a $40 minimum (school groups are $3 per person with a $40 minimum). To schedule a tour, call visitor services at (847)475-1030 or email visitor.services @mitchellmuseum.org.
The Mitchell Museum is one of only a handful of museums in the country that focuses exclusively on the art, history and culture of American Indian and First Nation peoples throughout the United States and Canada. In 2012, The Mitchell Museum was named "Best Museum of The North Shore: Up and Comer" by Make it Better magazine, won the Superior award by the Illinois Association of Museums and was named an national finalist by the American Association of State and Local History award program.
For more information about The Mitchell Museum of The American Indian, visit www.mitchellmuseum.org or call 847-475-1030. The museum is open Tuesday- Wednesday 10 am- 5 pm, Thursday 10 am-8 pm, Friday- Saturday 10 am-5 pm and Sunday noon to 4 pm. Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for seniors, students and children and FREE for Mitchell Museum members and Tribal members.