Maryland offers a rich set of experiences for learning about Native American heritage, blending museums, cultural centers, outdoor sites, and educational resources. Here are eight of the best places and ways to explore Indigenous Maryland, chosen for cultural depth, authenticity, and public accessibility:
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Piscataway Indian Museum and Cultural Center, Waldorf: Focused on the Piscataway and other Eastern tribes, this museum offers exhibits of historical and contemporary artifacts, and explores the lifestyles and art of tribes from varied regions.
National Museum of the American Indian (NMAI), Suitland (Cultural Resources Center): While the main museum is in Washington, DC, the Suitland, MD campus holds a Cultural Resources Center, welcoming tribal visitors and scholars to its rich collections and research facilities.
National Museum of the American Indian, Washington, DC: Just outside Maryland, this Smithsonian museum is a renowned destination, featuring immersive exhibits, art, timelines, and performances that reflect Indigenous viewpoints.
Nanticoke River Discovery Center, Vienna: This center on the Eastern Shore highlights the Nanticoke people’s culture and their connection to Maryland’s rivers and wetlands.
Handsell Historic Site, Vienna: A National Register-listed property, this historic site hosts a recreated longhouse and offers panels and events about Nanticoke and Chicone village life.
Nanticoke River Water Trail: This marked trail provides a guided waterway route through Indigenous lands, with interpretive signposts and opportunities to view the wild places critical to Maryland’s Native communities.
Blackwater, Cambridge (Nause-Waiwash Band of Indians): This location connects visitors to the present-day Nause-Waiwash tribe via tours, storytelling events, and interpretive offerings on Blackwater lands.
Online & Library Resources: Utilize guides such as the Maryland Native American Heritage subject guide from Harford Community College, the Archeological Society of Maryland, and local tribal and historical society websites for research and genealogy.
SOURCES
(https://www.si.edu/about/american-indian-museum)
(https://www.visitmaryland.org/listing/historic-national-road/piscataway-indian-museum-and-cultural-center)(https://www.baltimoreamericanindiancenter.org/museum)(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Museum_of_the_American_Indian)(https://www.tripadvisor.in/Attraction_Review-g28970-d493063-Reviews-National_Museum_of_the_American_Indian-Washington_DC_District_of_Columbia.html)
