Brief History of the Lenape

For over 10,000 years, the first peoples of the Northeastern Woodland tribes lived in agricultural and hunting societies.  Men, Women, and Children’s roles were well defined.  Preparation was the key to survival. 

 

With the arrival of early explorers, survival took on a different meaning .

The Forced March:  Initially the Lenni Lenape of Pennsylvania had equitable dealings with William Penn.  After Penn’s death, his sons concocted a plan to swindle the Lenape out of land which is now known as the infamous Walking Purchase.  Times only got progressively worse for the Lenape.  In the 1730s an English bounty of 30—50 British lbs. was offered for any Lenape, dead or alive.

The final blow came during a Conference in 1758 in Easton, Pennsylvania when the Lenape (Delaware) were forced from their Pennsylvania and New Jersey ancestral homelands. 

Eventually the Lenape were forced to settle in Oklahoma and Canada.

Today their decedents live throughout the world.  In the United States the Lenape (Delaware) do not live on reservations or on Indian Territory.  The only two surviving Lenape tribes in the United States officially recognized by the Bureau of Indian Affairs in Washington, D.C. are the Delaware Tribe of Indians (Bartlesville, Oklahoma) and Delaware Nation (Anadarko, Oklahoma).

What we are about
History And The Museum
Step back in time at the Museum of Indian Culture .

 

For over 35 years, the Museum of Indian Culture has been Pennsylvania’s educational resource center for people of all ages to learn about the Lenape (Delaware) and other American Indian tribes.

 

Guided Tours

 

The Museum of Indian Culture provides a unique opportunity for visitors to learn about the early history and culture of this Nation’s first Peoples.  When touring our Northeast Woodland Room, imagine yourself knapping tools out of stone, making cordage from plant fiber, and calling fire using primitive tools.   Learn about what items were commonly traded among American Indians and settlers during the Fur Trade.  See authentic beadwork, pottery, basketry, etc. handmade by various Northeastern tribes such as the Iroquois, Passamaquoddy, and Lenape. 

 

The Museum's Inter-Tribal Room currently features a variety of American Indian artistry such as a Lakota Morning Star Quilt, Beaded Moccasins, Knife Sheath, Cheyenne Sash, Navajo Sand Art and Pottery, Hopi Textiles and over 70 replica

hand-carved Kachinas.

 

Guided Tours:    Friday through Sunday, 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM (Closed 12/22/14—1/2/15)

 

Admission Fee:  $5 Adults, $4 Seniors (age 65) and Children ages 12 and over;

                                    Children 11 and under Free;

                                    Members Free

 

Address:   2825 Fish Hatchery Road, Allentown, PA 18103

 

For More Information, please call us at (610) 797-2121 or

Email us at info@museumofindianculture.org