Nez Perce National Historical Park
Hands-On Cultural Exhibits
Hands-On Cultural Exhibits
|
|
|
National Historical Park
1965 Park Size 4,561 acres Annual Visitors 377,000 Park Fee none Superintendent Steve Thede Park Partner Discover Your Northwest Location 38 sites across four states: ID, MT, OR, WA |
Nez Perce National Historical Park honors the history, culture, and ongoing stories of the Nez Perce (Nimíipuu) people. In 1965, when the park was established, Indigenous elders were employed by the park as cultural demonstrators, and they made many items for park visitors to see and touch. After almost 60 years of use, these beaded bags, moccasins, and porcupine quill objects are becoming too worn and delicate to handle. Yet their creators were beloved elders of the Tribe and the objects are beautiful examples of Nez Perce culture that are now best preserved in the park's museum collection.
To continue offering a hands-on experience, Indigenous artists will create 9 new objects of the same type. Some of the artists that the park works with now were taught their skills by the makers of the items being replaced. Visitors who handle and appreciate the new objects up close will learn that Nez Perce culture and artistry is very much alive today. Project Cost: $5,250 Project Begun: 2024 The Nez Perce culture is very much alive; these items are still used today. New items will allow the visitors to see the intricacy and detail in the work without fear of damage. Few museums provide the same items seen behind glass exhibit cases as well as for visitors to touch, smell and examine. We want visitors to experience and enjoy the culture by providing a hands-on approach. For beaded items, we want them to be able to feel not only the smoothness of the beads but also the weight, which allows for a different perspective. For cornhusk weaving, the strength in each stitch on the cornhusk bags is impressive when they are seen up close." |
