Native American Historic Sites and Museums You Absolutely Must Visit in the Midwest US

Sep 27, 2024

Today we’re highlighting some incredible places of historical significance in Native American History. These special national historic sites, cultural centers and museums preserve artifacts, artwork, and language of the local tribes in our Midwest region. Historic Native American tribes and Nations found across the midwest in the past and present include: Potawatomi, Menominee, Chippewa, Ojibwe, Ho-Chunk Winnebago, Oneida Nation, Sioux, Odawa, Shawnee, Miami, Wea, Plankashaw, Delaware.

Pipestone National Monument in Minnesota has been a source of red pipestone for Native Americans for centuries, as the clay stone was used to craft both prayer and ceremonial pipes. It’s found only in a few different places in the world, with the top quality stone coming from this region. Native Americans believe the stone is made of the flesh and blood of their ancestors, making the quarry a sacred ground for their people. The Three Maidens (granite boulders) on site are considered the guardians of the quarry and stone. The monument park area includes a beautiful picnic area, trails, the quarries, as well as a special visitor center housing exhibits, documents, photographs, and artifacts of historical significance. Want to learn more about the process of selecting pipestone and building these sacred objects? Consider checking out one of the special events from a local Native artisan on the art of pipemaking!

Museum of the Ojibwa Culture in Michigan is a national historic landmark where visitors can learn about the Ojibwa culture and history of Natives, Huron, and French peoples during the 17th century. With both indoor and outdoor exhibits to explore, you’ll receive a well-rounded glimpse into the past featuring artifacts, photography, and permanent as well as special exhibitions. One particular exhibit of interest is dedicated to shining a light on the brutal history and heartbreaking experiences of students at Native American Boarding Schools, as well as the local Catholic nuns and missionaries who ran the facilities. You can also tour the Longhouse/Healing Lodge area and learn about daily life as well as the spiritual practices of local tribespeople. The museum’s exhibits are a thorough and fascinating look at regional Native American life, and worthy of spending most of your day contemplating their content. The facility also features more than 125 Native American and Native Canadian artists in their gift shop gallery.

Mille Lacs Indian Museum and Trading Post Minnesota is dedicated to highlighting the life and culture of Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe and 300 years of history to present day. You’ll experience special exhibitions throughout the year, such as the recent night sky photography exhibit by Travis Novitsky, as well as a series of permanent exhibits. Learn about past and contemporary day Ojibwe culture, the preservation of Ojibwe language and lexicon, personal stories and oral histories, as well as plenty of artifacts, documents, and images. There is a large hands-on learning room where you can try your hand at special crafts including beading, basket making, dying, embroidery, and even cooking. The outdoor classroom provides an opportunity to learn traditional dance, canoe making, and even maple sugar processing! It’s a must-see stop when you’re in the area, putting you in touch with the original peoples here on North American land.

Newark Earthworks in Ohio is an incredible architectural site and one of the largest groups of geometric earthen enclosures around the world. The site features a circular earthwork formed by a tall continuous earthen wall around 30 acres of land; there is no pathway to the interior of the Great Circle, but the Newark Earthworks Museum is located at the top of a slight rise in the ground with a paved path. The Wright Square is a small square earthwork which demonstrates the impact of local development on these historic structures. There is limited public access to The Octagon area which houses a 20-acre circle and a 50-acre octagon with a small passageway between. The facility offers free tours on the first Friday of the month from April through November with accomplished Archaeologist Brad Lepper, starting at The Great Circle Museum. Regular guided tours are available March through November on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays for a fee. When you’ve finished your visit, we recommend checking out the nearby Flint Ridge Ancient Quarries!

Akta Lakota Museum & Cultural Center in South Dakota is located on the St. Joseph’s Indian School Campus, and aims to honor and preserve the history of the Lakota people. The facility houses a permanent collection of Native American artifacts of historic and cultural significance, with special focus on items from 1800-1930 and relative to the Northern Plains peoples, with a focus on the Lakota especially. The museum hosts at least two special exhibitions per year, with the current exhibit being “WOYAKE: Language in Lakota Art” on view through October 31st 2024. When you’re done walking through the interior exhibits, we highly recommend making a trek to the Medicine Wheel Garden just west of the museum. This special space is dedicated to cultivating peaceful, inspirational meditation and respite for visitors and students. It pays tribute to the healing and spiritual properties of water through the Mni Wiconi water feature, depicts colors of the elements in the circle of life, as well as inscriptions and artistic panels and plants.

Be sure to check out our past blogs on other Native American historical sites throughout Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana and the rest of the Midwest!