Founded in 1984, the Nanticoke Indian Museum in Millsboro carries a wide collection of artifacts. These have been handed down from within the Nanticoke Indian community as well as other Native American tribes and are arranged in this museum, which was formerly a two-roomed school. Many of the artifacts have come by way of donation as well.
The Nanticoke Indian Museum attracts many visitors each year and is the only Native American Museum in the state of Delaware. The Federal Government has listed it as a National Historic Landmark, making it one of only 13 other Native American sites to be accorded such an honor.
Visitors to the museum can view thousands of historic items and learn more about the rich heritage and culture of the Nanticoke tribe. Tour guides are also available to explain more about the fascinating displays and answer questions.
Some of the items displayed in the museum include traditional clothing, artwork, ax hammers, pottery, taxidermy animals, and arrowheads. Many of these items can be seen in the museum’s traditional village display, which depicts the way of life of the people of the time and some of the tools they used. This display can be found in the first room in the museum together with many pieces of artwork.
In the museum’s second room, there is a display of various taxidermy animals, which were hunted and their hides used to make clothing items. The room also contains samples of traditional clothing items that were worn. Visitors also get to see a wooden canoe, which gives a glimpse of how Nanticoke Indian men and boys navigated their way during their fishing expeditions. Various artifacts are also showcased in this room as in the first, with some of them dating from 8000 BC.
The gift store at the museum sells crafts and memorabilia to give visitors something to take home and treasure. The museum welcomes group tours and school groups to come and see its unique exhibits.
For an additional cultural experience, people can visit the Annual Nanticoke Indian Powwow hosted near the museum, which includes food, music, and dancing.
32 min (19.1 miles)
via DE-26 W and DE-24 E
Fastest route now due to traffic conditions
Ocean View
Delaware
Head south on West Ave toward Atlantic Ave
24 s (413 ft)
Follow DE-26 W, Iron Branch Rd and DE-24 E to DE-5
31 min (19.0 mi)
Continue on DE-5 to your destination
13 s (236 ft)
Nanticoke Indian Museum
26673 John J Williams Hwy, Millsboro, DE 19966