Saturday, October 181PM For thousands of years, Indigenous communities have used natural fibers to make everything from shelter, to fishing equipment, to clothing. Join IAIS Educator and Ecologist Susan Scherf for an exciting and educational workshop in which participants will learn about various plant fibers. Try your hand at weaving cordage from locally sourced natural […]
Saturday, November 151pm For thousands of years, Native peoples have decorated clothing and items with materials found in nature, such as shells, stones, seeds and porcupine quills. In more recent centuries, multi-colored glass beads have become a favorite medium, as well. In this wonderful workshop hosted by IAIS Educator Irene Norman (Mohawk descent), participants will […]
Saturday, December 13 1:00PM The woodland environment provides a wealth of natural gifts from which to make decorations for the holiday season. Join IAIS Educator and ecologist Susan Scherf for a workshop in which participants will make a seasonal wreath using evergreen boughs, holly berries, pine cones, and more. Learn about ecological adaptations of these […]
Saturday, January 101PM Connecticut History Day competitions are almost here! Each year, this program engages thousands of middle- and high-school students in historical research, interpretation, and creative expression through project based learning. For students who have chosen their subject, done the research, and tied it to this year’s theme of Revolution, Reaction, Reform in History, […]
Saturday, January 311PM How prepared would you be to survive New England winters without twenty-first century technology? For traditional Indigenous communities of this area, fire would have been an important tool throughout the year, but crucial for winter months. Join our outdoor skills specialist Griffin Kalin for an interactive workshop designed to teach the fundamentals […]
Sunday, February 11PM For thousands of years, Indigenous communities in North America have been weaving various fibers to make everything from shelter, to fishing equipment, to clothing, to hunting gear, and works of art and continued to do so through the integration of new materials brought through European contact. Join an educator from the Institute […]
Saturday, March 7 | 11:00 AM - 3:00PM Looking for a sweet end to the winter months? As the days get warmer, but the nights remain cold, it’s the right condition for maple sugaring! Join IAIS staff for an event celebrating the gift of Maple Sugar. Throughout the day, our staff will demonstrate various traditional […]
Saturday, March 14 | 1:00PM How prepared would you be to survive in the local environment without twenty-first century technology? For traditional Indigenous communities of this area, fire would have been an important tool throughout the year. As winter winds to a close and we look forward to the sights and sounds of spring, it’s a […]
Sunday, April 12 | 1:00PMDo you like weaving, crocheting, or sewing? Have you ever wondered what makes the yarn have beautiful colors? Natural dyes have been around for nearly 30,000 years; the practice of processing and producing dyes has been passed down from generation to generation. Join Ashley Reiske, IAIS Museum Educator and events coordinator, […]
Saturday, June 20 | 1:00PMDid you know: late spring through early summer is the best time of year to harvest bark from most species of trees, due to their annual growth cycle? Traditionally, Indigenous communities of the Eastern Woodlands have used this season to harvest bark for wigwam construction, basket-making, and other items. Join IAIS […]