Discover Delmarva: Nanticoke Indian Museum
MILLSBORO, Del- The Nanticoke Indian Museum houses not just the artifacts of the tribe but the culture and history passed down through generations. The building was originally built to serve as a two-room schoolhouse for Nanticoke children and children of color during the 1920s. Historian Bonnie Hall tells us that the community made this a place for unity in the decades following “The memories that they share regarding the camaraderie, the unity, the harmony. the big family kind of atmosphere that they had. Not only did they learn their ABCs, but they also learned about their history, culture, and tradition.”
Displays showcase the togetherness, from their handmade regalia for special ceremonies to the history of the Nanticoke tribe’s leaders. A handmade display showcasing how land once looked in the not-so-distant past. The Nanticokes are known as the “Tidewater People” with reservations spanning across the heart of Delmarva. Hall tells us, “When we look back at our history, there were three reservations that were associated with the Nanticoke Indian Tribe. The first one was the Chicone Reservation, which is near Vienna, Maryland. The second one was the Broadcreek Reservation, which is near Laurel, Delaware, today. And the last one was the Askekesky, which was in the Indian River Hundred.”
The community is what brings the museum’s artifacts to life. From the handmade eel pots used on these same waterways we traverse today, to works of art like hand-woven baskets, or beaded jewelry, all stemming from this tight-knit community that found resiliency even through times of uncertainty, while many searched for greater opportunities elsewhere. Hall states, “There was a group that remained resilient and stayed. So, many of us who are still here today, of course, are direct descendants of the few that stayed behind.”
One of the most prominent displays in the museum showcases Isaac Harmon, who was a pillar of the Nanticoke community. While today only a handful of families still own property, Hall says they’re excited about what the future holds for the museum and the tribe. “We’ve begun to speak our own voice, okay? History has been written about us, and we’ve not always had input into how that history is conveyed. And so now with this museum, we have the opportunity to tell our story and our own voice.”
The tribe has big plans over the next few years. With the addition of a welcome center and expansion of the museum itself. For more information on the Nanticoke Tribe and to plan your visit to the museum Check out their website.
