Nowashe Village Provides A Glimpse Of Indigenous Culture

SOUTH WINDSOR, CT — Celebrating their 50th year of operation, the Friends of Wood Memorial Library & Museum, Inc. are eagerly awaiting the full re-opening of its facility later this summer, targeted for Sept. 11. In the meantime, visitors with an appreciation for Native American history can now explore the wonder of Nowashe Village.

Located on about three-quarters of an acre of land behind the museum at 787 Main Street, Nowashe Village is an outdoor museum of Indigenous life, sparking an understanding of and appreciation for the Native American culture that flourished along the Connecticut River for thousands of years. The tribal nation which lived in South Windsor was known as the Podunk, or Nowaas. They referred to their homeland as Nowashe, or "place between rivers."

A grant proposal accepted by the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development in 2015 focused on the installation of an outdoor living history museum of Native American lifeways. The purpose was to design a setting that would thoroughly transform a visitor’s experience, immersing him or her in a hands-on learning atmosphere. Construction began in 2019, and the three wetus, or wigwams, in Nowashe were built by Indigenous peoples, using traditional techniques.

"As we have educated South Windsor students about local Native American heritage for decades, it is now our privilege to be able to provide an enhanced experience with so many others," executive director Carolyn Venne said. "It’s vitally important that children and adults alike understand that Native Americans are not gone. So much of their language and lifeways exist all around us today. We are honored to work with so many wonderful and knowledgeable Indigenous peoples from around New England."

Admission to Nowashe Village always includes a multimedia self-guided tour on personal electronic devices, a look at a special Native American artifact from the museum collection, stationed docents ready to answer questions and an explorer activity for children. Tour information changes with the seasons; a full calendar of upcoming special events may be found here.

Communications director Jessica Vogelgesang said, "We are so excited to be able to offer this new outdoor museum to the community and we are happy to announce that we are participating in the Govenor's Connecticut Summer at the Museum program, which allows all Connecticut children age 18 and under – plus one accompanying adult – free admission to Nowashe Village until September 6, 2021. What a wonderful way to celebrate our inaugural year!"

Nowashe is open Saturdays from 1-3 p.m. through Nov. 13, with the exceptions of July 3, Sept. 4 and Oct. 9. Admission fees and more information may be found here.

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