Honoring Indigenous Peoples’ Weekend at Plimoth Patuxet Museums
Hosted by culture keepers and educators on the Historic Patuxet Homesite, the weekend offered a meaningful way to experience Indigenous culture through storytelling, artistic expression, hands-on learning, and conversations.
This October, Plimoth Patuxet Museums brought visitors together to celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Weekend with four days of cultural experiences, educational programming, and opportunities to learn more about Wampanoag history and living traditions. Held October 9–12, 2026, the special event invited guests of all ages to connect with Indigenous voices, explore cultural heritage, and reflect on the enduring presence of the Wampanoag People who have been here since time immemorial.
Connecting with Wampanoag Culture
Throughout the weekend, visitors had the opportunity to experience Wampanoag traditions and perspectives through a variety of special programs. One of the highlights was a cultural presentation by Wampanoag Nation Singers and Dancers, who shared eastern social songs and dances through their educational program.
Guests also had the opportunity to observe the Historic Patuxet Homesite Team’s Wardrobe Specialist, Kuwah Deetz, as she prepared winter clothing for the Museum’s Indigenous interpreters. The program offered a closer look at how clothing reflects cultural identity, traditions, and ways of life passed down through generations. Visitors were invited to observe this work and learn more about how clothing is made and used within Wampanoag lifeways.
A New Exhibit Celebrates Wampanoag Identity
Another exciting part of the weekend was the grand opening of Threads of Identity: Wampanoag Clothing Across Generations. The new exhibit explores the ways clothing has expressed identity, adaptation, and cultural continuity throughout the centuries.
Visitors also had the chance to meet contributing artist Shaking Reeds Designs of the Akwesasne Mohawk Nation in the Museum’s Craft Center throughout the weekend. The artist shared insights into her creative practice, artistic style, and sources of inspiration, giving guests a personal look at the creativity and cultural connections behind her work.
The weekend also featured a special story time with Robert Peters (Mashpee Wampanoag), artist, author, and culture keeper, who brought his children’s book Big Baby to life on Sunday in the Homsite’s nushwetu. Through storytelling and illustration, Peters introduced visitors to Maushop, the beloved Wampanoag culture hero and giant celebrated by generations of Wampanoag families, offering a playful perspective on this legendary figure. Following the reading, visitors had the opportunity to learn more about Peters’s work and explore available art pieces in the Craft Center.
Learning Through Indigenous Perspectives
The weekend’s educational programming continued on Monday, October 12, with a special lecture series exploring Wampanoag history, leadership, and lifeways hosted by Tim Turner, Plimoth Patuxet’s Director of Indigenous Education & Training. His presentations gave visitors additional opportunities to learn, ask questions, and develop a deeper understanding of Indigenous experiences and perspectives.
Indigenous Peoples’ Weekend offered visitors a meaningful opportunity to celebrate Wampanoag culture, discover new perspectives, and reflect on the importance of preserving and sharing Indigenous heritage. From the opening of Threads of Identity to conversations with artists and educators, the programming demonstrated how cultural learning can create connections across communities.
While this weekend offered expanded programming to foster a greater understanding of Wampanoag history and culture while centering Indigenous voices, the Historic Patuxet Homesite engages Museum guests every day to learn about Wampanoag traditions, culture, and lifeways.
