Native American Indian Historic Villages & Sites Resources
Native American Online Resources
Credit Above Photo: Jeffrey Reed, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Native American Indian Web Portals & Online Communities
Native American Online Resources
Credit Above Photo: Jeffrey Reed, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Crazy Crow Trading Post offers this list of Native American Indian Historic Villages & Sites Resources related links to help you in your search for information about clubs, associations, history and related topics. Inclusion in this list does not represent an endorsement by Crazy Crow, although we do try to be selective – and reserve the right to do so.
Angel Mounds State Historic Site – Evansville, Indiana
Located on the banks of the Ohio River near Evansville, IN, the Angel Mounds State Historic Site boasts a unique combination of nature, history, and archeological wonders sure to entertain all visitors. From 1000-1450 A.D., the area was the site of a Middle Mississippian culture town where the cultivation and storage of corn allowed a permanent community to persist. The town’s inhabitants left by 1450 A.D. for reasons unknown, although it was possibly due to nutrient-depleted soils or lack of wild game.
The Angel Mounds State Historic Site strives to tell the story of these native peoples. First established in 1938, when the Indiana Historical Society purchased the current 600 acres, between 1939 to 1964, a crew of excavators directed by noted Indiana archaeologist Glenn A. Black uncovered more than 2.5 million artifacts from the site. Angel Mounds was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1964. Twelve earthen mounds created for ceremonial purposes are scattered throughout the property and can be viewed from the walking trail. The interpretive center details the history and culture of the site’s historic inhabitants, known as the Mississippian Culture. There is also an interactive area where visitors can explore different aspects of Black’s research. Visitors can also walk the four-mile Angel Mounds Loop Trail.
Annadel State Park | Santa Rosa, CA
Wiithin Annadel State Park’s 5,000 acres, the park preserves a significant California Indian prehistoric obsidian quarry, industry sites and the most outstanding example of northern oak woodland in existence. Location: The park is east of Santa Rosa and south of Highway 12 on Channel Drive via Montgomery Drive. 6201 Channel Drive, Santa Rosa, California, 95409, Santa Rosa Park Unit Phone: 707-539-3911
Anderson Marsh State Historic Parkk | Clear Lake, CA
Anderson Marsh State Historic Park’s archaeological sites hold clues to the lives of the Pomo. This California State Historic Park has more than 50 registered California Indian sites, some that are over 6,000 years old. Location: The park is located on the southeast corner of Clear Lake, the largest natural lake completely within the borders of California. Between Lower Lake and Clear Lake on Highway 53, north of Calistoga in the wine country. Park Unit Phone: 707-994-0688
Chumash Painted Cave State Historic Park | San Marcos Pass, CA
Chumash Painted Cave State Historic Park is a unit in the state park system of California, preserving a small sandstone cave adorned with rock art attributed to the Chumash people. Adjoining the small community of Painted Cave, the site is located about 2 miles (3.2 km) north of California State Route 154 and 11 miles (18 km) northwest of Santa Barbara. The smooth and irregularly shaped shallow sandstone cave contains numerous drawings apparently depicting the Chumash cosmology and other subjects created in mineral pigments and other media over a long period ranging from about 200 up to possibly 1000 years or more. The walls of this small cave carved from towering sandstone boulders contain some of the finest remaining rock art created by Chumash Native Americans. A steep path leads to the cave entrance, which is protected by heavy iron grillwork. Anthropologists estimate that the paintings date to the 1600’s and earlier. The meaning of these enigmatic images has been lost. Location: Painted Caves Rd., Santa Barbara (San Marcos Pass), CA 93105; Phone (805) 733-3713.
Indian Grinding Rock State Historic Park | Pine Grove, CA
Indian Grinding Rock State Historic Park contains 1,185 granite bedrock mortars, which is the largest collection of mortars in North America. Chaw’se Regional Indian Museum features a variety of exhibits and an outstanding collection of Sierra Nevada Indian artifacts, including those from Northern, Central, and Southern Miwok, Maidu, Konkow, Monache, Nisenan, Tubatulabal, Washo and Foothill Yokut. In the Miwok language, Chaw’se refers to the grinding holes where acorns, seeds, and other items were processed. This park includes a Miwok village complete with a roundhouse, bedrock mortars and petroglyphs. The museum includes 1,500 objects including feather dance regalia, stone tools, and other items that represent the material culture of the Sierra Miwok. The Chaw’se museum collections and interpretive exhibits include “both past and present-day” objects used by Miwok people. Location: Pine Grove, CA; Park Unit Phone: 209-298-7488
Indian Village at Moundville Archaeological Park – Tuscaloosa, Alabama
The Indian Village at Moundville Archaeological Park provides an opportunity to look into the past lifeways of the prehistoric Mississippian peoples. Each house in the village has a separate theme that depicts the daily life of the people that lived here prior to European arrival in the Americas. The new John and Delia Roberts Crafts Pavilions are used to demonstrate Native American lifeways to the park visitor. The pavilions also serve as outdoor classrooms and demonstration areas for our Native American artists-in-residence. Alabama Historic Site
Moundville Archaeological Park is located 14 miles south of Tuscaloosa, Alabama, on Highway 69 South. From Highway I-20/59 take exit 71A and proceed 13 miles south. The park entrance will be located on your right on Highway 69.
Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site – Stanton, ND
In 1974, congress established the Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site. The 1,758 acre site preserves historic and archaeological remnants of the culture and agricultural lifestyle of the Northern Plains Indians. More than fifty archaeological sites suggest a possible 8,000 year span of inhabitation, ending with five centuries of Hidatsa earthlodge village occupation. The circular depressions at the three village sites are up to 40 feet in diameter and are a silent testimony to the people that lived here. North Dakota Historic Site
Miccosukee Indian Village – Miami, Florida
Just 30 minutes West of Miami in Dade County, you can experience how the Miccosukee Indian Tribe existed and still exists in the “Heart of the Everglades”. Visit the Miccosukee Indian Village and let our guides take you on a tour through the past, present, and future of our history, culture and lifestyle. See demonstrations and exhibits of woodcarving, patchwork, beadwork, basket weaving and doll making. Crafts such as Miccosukee patchwork and beadwork to Cherokee moccasins and Navajo silver jewelry are on sale at the Miccosukee Gift Shop. Open everyday from 9:00am until 5:00pm. Florida Historic Site.
La Purísima Mission State Historic Park | Lompoc, CA
“Misión la Purísima Concepción de María Santísima,” founded in 1787, is one of the most completely restored missions of the 21 Spanish missions in California. This is the largest and most authentic mission restoration project in the American West and contains the remains of a reconstructed Indian village. Location: 2295 Purísima Road, Lompoc, CA 93436; Phone (805) 733-3713.
Mounds State Park – Anderson, Indiana
Mounds State Park, located off I-69 east of Anderson, features 10 unique earthworks built by prehistoric Indians known as the Adena-Hopewell people. The largest earthwork, the Great Mound, is believed to have been constructed around 160 B.C. Archaeological surveys indicate the mounds were used as gathering places for religious ceremonies, from where astronomical alignments could be viewed. Be sure to visit the Nature Center, which includes a wildlife viewing room, animal displays, interactive games and more. Hours are 9 am to 4 pm daily. Naturalist-led hikes and interpretive programs are offered every weekend throughout the year.
The largest earthwork, the “Great Mound”, is believed to have been constructed around 160 BCE. The Great Mound is a circular earth enclosure with an internal ditch and south to southwest entrance. The earthworks measure 394 feet (120.1 m) across from bank to bank. The 9-foot-tall (3 m) embankment is 63 feet (19 m) wide at its base, and the ditch is 10.5 feet (3.2 m) deep and 60 feet (18.3 m) across at its top. The central platform is 138 feet (42 m) across and was occupied by a 4-foot-high (1.2 m) central mound 30 feet (9 m) in diameter. One particular mound at the Anderson Site has a sequence of clay platforms, each deliberately covered by a layer of ash.
Maturango Museum | Ridgecrest, CA
MUSEUM: One of the Maturango Museum’s Native Californians exhibits contains artifacts from the local area, including weapons, tools, baskets, grinding implements (metates and manos), and trade goods. A second display entitled “Coso Obsidian – Production and Exchange” focuses on the quarrying, use, and exchange of obsidian in the Coso Volcanic Field. Examples show obsidian from various sources, and are arranged to demonstrate the manufacturing sequence for flaked stone tools.
LITTLE PETROGLYPH CANYON PETROGLYPH TOURS: In the canyons cutting through the volcanic rocks of the Coso Mountains are thousands of images left by the hunter-gatherer people who populated this region many years ago. This is the largest known concentration of petroglyphs in the western hemisphere. The images range in age from before 13,000 years to the present. People interested in visiting the petroglyphs can take museum sponsored tours during the Spring and Fall months. Individual dates are set by the Navy and trips can be cancelled at the discretion of the Navy. Location: 100 E. Las Flores Ave., Ridgecrest, CA 93555; (760) 375-6900.
Native American Heritage Museum State Historic Site – Highland, Kansas
Present-day Kansas is home to four Indian reservations–the Iowa, Kickapoo, Potawatomi, and Sac and Fox. Early native nations, such as the Wichita, Kaw (Kansa), Osage, Pawnee, and Plains Apaches, have roots in early Plains culture. Share in the journey of the Great Lakes Indians who were forced to emigrate to Kansas in the 1800s, adapting their traditional woodlands cultures to the rolling prairie landscape. At the museum, once a Presbyterian Mission built in 1845 to educate Iowa and Sac and Fox children, you will find quillwork, baskets and other artwork of present-day descendants of emigrant tribes. Through the interactive exhibits, Native Americans tell stories in their own words. Kansas Historic Site.
Honored with the American Association for State and Local History Certificate of Commendation in 1997, the museum offers an exciting experience. You’ll discover stories about the people who were native to northeast Kansas, and learn more about those who lived in the area for a time. Location: 3 miles east of Highland, Kansas, at 1727 Elgin Rd., Highland, KS 66035; Hours: 10a – 5p Wed- Sat, 1p – 5p Sun. Contact site curator at 785-442-3304 for additional information.
Oconaluftee Indian Village – Cherokee, North Carolina
The Oconaluftee Indian Village is presented by the non-profit Cherokee Historical Association, the Oconaluftee Indian Village is a glimpse of the past. Here you will see the model of a Cherokee Indian village from over 225 years ago! Cherokee guides in native costume will explain their history, the culture and life-style of their ancestors, and answer your questions. All this while pausing to watch Cherokee demonstrate their arts and crafts. This 18th century replica of a Cherokee community contains a replica of a 7-sided Council House and typical homes as they were 250 years ago. North Carolina Historic Site
Parkin Archeological State Park – Western Arkansas
Parkin Archeological State Park in eastern Arkansas at Parkin preserves and interprets the Parkin site on the St. Francis River where a 17-acre Mississippi Period Native America village was located from A.D. 1000 to 1550. A large platform mast Arkansas. There were once many archeological sites similar to Parkin throughout this region, but they did not found on the river bank remains. The site is important for understanding the history and prehistory of northe survive as eastern Arkansas was settled. Many scholars believe the Parkin site is the Native American village of Casqui visited by the expedition of Hernando de Soto in 1541 and written about in his chronicles. Arkansas Historic Site
Pawnee Indian Village State Historic Site – Republic, Kansas
The Pawnee Indian Village features exhibits on the Pawnee culture by using a combination of information from archeological investigation and historical details. An orientation video provides information about the history of the site. A Pawnee Indian sacred bundle is featured in the exhibit. Learn more about this sacred bundle that was passed down through several generations of a Pawnee family. Kansas Historic Site
Plum Bayou Mounds Archeological State Park – Scott, Arkansas
Formerly Toltec Mounds Archeological State Park, Plum Bayou is one of four National Historic Landmarks in the Arkansas State Park system. This park interprets the largest and most complex mound site in the state. It also offers the rare opportunity to see archeological research at work. This site was a ceremonial ground for prehistoric Native Americans and stands today as an important and fascinating piece of history. A popular field trip destination for local schools, the park recommends that requests for guided tours be made well in advance. Located 4 miles from Scott, a short and beautiful drive from Little Rock. Mound groups, such as this one, were religious and social centers for people living in the surrounding countryside. Plum Bayou Mounds itself had a small population, made up primarily of political and religious leaders of the community and their families. This center was occupied from the 7th to the 11th century.
Located on the banks of an oxbow lake, the archaeological site once had an 8–10-foot-high and 5,298-foot-long earthen embankment and ditch on three sides. The other side was the lake, now called Mound Pond. Eighteen mounds were built inside the high curving 1 mile embankment, and two were originally 38 and 49 feet high. Mounds were placed along the edges of two open areas (plazas) which were used for political, religious, and social activities attended by people from the vicinity. At least two mounds were used for feasting, as indicated by discarded food remains. Deer were a favorite food. Mound locations seem to have been planned using principles based on the alignment with important solar positions and standardized units of measurement. Most of the mounds were flat-topped platform mounds with buildings on them. Other Native Americans lived on the site in the 15th century, but they did not build the mounds.
Prophetstown State Park – Lafayette, Indiana
Prophetstown State Park commemorates a Native American village founded in 1808 by Shawnee leaders Tecumseh and his brother Tenskwatawa north of present-day Lafayette, Indiana, which grew into a large, multi-tribal community. The park features an open-air museum at Prophetstown, with living history exhibits including a Shawnee village and a 1920s-era farmstead. Battle Ground, Indiana, is a village about a mile east of the site of the Battle of Tippecanoe in 1811, a crucial battle in Tecumseh’s War which ultimately led to the demise of Prophetstown. The state park was established in 2004 and receives about 335,000 visitors annually.
Satwiwa Native American Indian Culture Center | Newbury Park, CA
For many years, the Santa Monica Mountains sustained the Chumash and Tongva/Gabrielino cultures. Sycamore Canyon, which cuts through Rancho Sierra Vista/Satwiwa and Point Mugu State Park, was part of a Chumash trade route. Satwiwa, which means “the bluffs,” was the name of a nearby Chumash village. To reflect this heritage, Satwiwa Native American Indian Culture Center and Natural Area was established by the National Park Service in partnership with the Friends of Satwiwa.
A Native American guest host or a park ranger is on hand to answer questions from 9am to 4pm on Saturdays and Sundays. Native American workshops, programs and art shows occur throughout the year. Call for information on accessibility parking. Location: Located at Rancho Sierra Vista / Satwiwa in Newbury Park, California. Directions: From Ventura Freeway (U.S. 101) exit Lynn Road. Turn south on Lynn Road for 5.25 miles to Via Goleta. Park Entrance is on the left. Walk 0.3 mile up gravel road from the last parking area to the Culture Center. Note: Cell service is available in the main Parking lots but is unreliable in the canyons.
SunWatch Indian Village / Archaelogical Park – Dayton, Ohio
SunWatch Indian Village / Archaelogical Park represents the remains of a Fort Ancient settlement of the AD 1200’s located in south Dayton, Ohio on the bank of the Great Miami River. Long before the arrival of Europeans, the Miami Valley was home to native peoples. Archaeological excavations at a site near the Great Miami River uncovered evidence of an 800-year-old village built by the Fort Ancient Indians. SunWatch Indian Village, a National Historic Landmark, is a reconstruction of that settlement of long ago.
Step back nearly 800 years in time and visit the Wolf Creek Indian Village and Museum in Bastian, Virginia. Located within 2 minutes of Interstate 77, this educational experience is situated in the beautiful mountains of Southwest Virginia. The recreated village is near the site of an actual archeological excavation. The Village is a living museum with hands-on exploration for visitors. Interpretive guides present demonstrations daily of the living skills used by the Eastern Woodland Indians. The conventional museum displays artifacts from the actual site and other related objects. Beautiful nature trails through rhododendren thickets and ample picnic facilities make this a must stop for families and all those interested in the history of the Eastern Woodland Indians. Groups are welcome. Kansas Historic Site
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