The Hall of Eastern Woodlands is closing as of January 27, 2024. For more information, please see this message from Museum President Sean Decatur.
The Hall of Eastern Woodlands focuses on the traditional cultures of the Native American peoples, including the Iroquois, Mohegans, Ojibwas, and Crees, living in the Eastern Woodlands of North America through the early 20th century.
This hall features a variety of dwelling styles, including an Ojibwa domed wigwam, an Iroquois longhouse, and a Creek council house, along with typical lodgings of the Natchez, Seminole, and Fox peoples. Information about farming techniques, food preparation, clothing styles, and ceremonial practices presents a picture of daily life, and examples of pottery, baskets, tools, metal jewelry, musical instruments, and textiles showcase a wide range of craftsmanship.
One highlight is a model of a Menominee birchbark canoe, which was made entirely of forest products and was light enough to be carried from stream to stream. The exhibit details how the canoe was constructed and its importance in transporting people and goods through forested areas.