Native American Heritage Month at the Museum
Celebrate Native American Heritage Month at the Museum of the American Revolution this November with explorations of Native American history, culture, and their role in the American Revolution through our new exhibition, daily and special programs, in-gallery and online resources, and more.
In the Galleries
Throughout the month, be sure to explore our core galleries as well as our newest special exhibition, The Declaration’s Journey, to learn about the Native American nations that were the first foreign powers to formally acknowledge the independence of the United States, become allies with the U.S. during the Revolutionary War, and continued to play pivotal roles throughout American history. Objects on view in The Declaration’s Journey include a copy of the Treaty of Watertown and a letter written to President Abraham Lincoln by Chief John Ross of the Cherokee Nation explaining the political division in the tribe during the American Civil War, as well as a proclamation of pardon written by Lincoln after some Cherokee leaders had sided with the Confederacy.
Programs & Activities
Meet the Revolution: Hartman Deetz
November 21-22, 2026Join artist and educator Hartman Deetz (Mashpee Wampanoag) as he discusses how wampum belts record history, law, and identity; how these living documents are made; and why they still matter today.
In-Gallery and Digital Resources
Learn more about Native American history onsite and online.
Meet the Figures: Oneida Nation Theater
Meet people of the Oneida Nation in the midst of a debate about how they will engage in the Revolutionary War. A film and six life-cast figures, bring the discussion to life at the Museum's Oneida Nation Theater. Each of the figures is based on a real Oneida person and dressed in garments representative of what these people wore in the 1770s, combining Native fashion and Euro-American textiles and trade goods. Their words are drawn from a variety of sources and written in the style apparent in recorded Native American speeches, treaty negotiations, and conversations.
The People Between: Native Americans in a Revolutionary Era Gallery Guide
More than 250,000 Native Americans lived east of the Mississippi River during the Revolutionary era. They formed more than 80 nations and spoke dozens of languages. The decades of political turmoil and warfare that divided Great Britain and its colonies and led to the creation of the United States profoundly affected native people.
In Order to Give Due Recognition: Native American Declarations in the 20th Century
Expanding on themes presented in The Declaration’s Journey, explore the ways that multiple tribes directly invoked the Declaration to demand sovereignty throughout the 20th century.
AmRev360: Exploring Native Cultures with Jordan and Kehala Smith
Living history interpreters Jordan Smith (Mohawk, Bear Clan) and Kehala Smith (Tuscarora Nation, Turtle Clan) join Museum President & CEO Dr. R. Scott Stephenson to discuss their work and the importance for all people to explore Native stories.
Read the Revolution
Reading List: Native Americans in the Revolution
To dive deeper into the voices, viewpoints, experiences, contributions, and legacies of Native Americans during the Revolutionary era, check out these six books previously featured in the Museum's Read the Revolution series.