A New Look for Indigenous Culture: Introducing the revamped Tomaquag Museum

Tomaquag Museum in Exeter, the only institution in the state that focuses on Indigenous culture, history and art, has undergone an internal facelift. 

New and expanded exhibits include a pottery section featuring acclaimed Indigenous artists Brenda Hill and Diosa Summers, with another showcasing local basketry and beadwork threaded with wampum. The powwow section focuses on regalia, with a brand-new interactive room for those who want to engage in sensory activities. These activities include traditional games such as hubbub bowl, as well as modern pastimes including Native Memory and Shell Tic Tac Toe. Indigenous trivia and animal track matching exhibits are also on display, with Indigenous-authored books and coloring pages plus a bin storage system packed with sensory objects for self-exploration are among further new additions.

New cases funded by Champlin Foundation are supported by cornice lighting designed to provide visitors with a clearer look at the exhibits contained within, while iPad kiosks funded by the Ocean State Charities Trust present a variety of slideshows, including the history of Princess Red Wing, the Chief Strong Horse Collection, and an historical timeline of Rhode Island Indigenous history.

Returning visitors will notice new text explanations added to each exhibit, with museum educators on hand to provide highlight tours. For those coming in groups, a full guided tour is on offer. Tours also can include add-on art workshops (including making dreamcatchers, cornhusk dolls, double strand-necklaces and many others) and game workshops (choose from hubbub bowl, the moccasin game or ring and pin). Specialized content workshops are also on offer, which can include lectures, slide presentations or short films with Q & A, with all groups encouraged to ask about specialized tours to fit the needs of the visiting party. Stepping outside the museum walls, visitors can opt for a nature tour, which includes a guided walk detailing the traditional uses of the land and water.

“We serve from toddler to elder and all in between,” explains Tomaquag Museum’s executive director, Lorén Spears. “All the updates were done for better visitor experience, engagement and education.”

Tomaquag Museum is located at 390 Summit Rd, Exeter, and is open Wednesdays from 10am to 5pm, and Saturdays from 10am to 2pm. For more information, contact Lorén Spears at 401-491-9063, or email lorenspears@tomaquagmuseum.org