Institute for American Indian Studies

Archaeology Museum · Washington, Connecticut

A research museum in the Litchfield hills about the Indigenous peoples of the northeast woodlands, and one of the few places in New England that treats that as living history rather than as an archaeology exhibit. The indoor galleries hold a serious collection of stone tools, pottery and quillwork, much of it excavated locally, alongside contemporary Native art and material developed with Schaghticoke, Mohegan and Pequot communities. Outside, and more memorably, there is a RECONSTRUCTED ALGONQUIAN VILLAGE in the woods - wigwams, a longhouse, a three sisters garden and a simulated archaeological site - which you walk through rather than look at. It is small, it is in the middle of nowhere off a back road in Washington, and it is by a distance the best place in Connecticut to understand who was here first. The village is weather dependent and closes in snow and heavy rain, so check before driving into the hills - the indoor galleries are good but they are not what you came for, and the difference between the two visits is considerable.

38 Curtis Road, Washington, Washington, Connecticut, 06793, United States

Open on a limited week year round, commonly Wednesday or Thursday through Sunday, with shorter winter hours. The OUTDOOR VILLAGE is open when the museum is and is weather dependent - it closes in snow and heavy rain. Closed on major holidays. Programmes, workshops and school visits run on announced dates. Confirm before travelling; this is a small institution on a back road.

Institute for American Indian Studies on Spottos · Explore more places on Spottos