These days it is too easy to forget about the earliest residents in the lands we call home. So much of our lives revolve around the daily activities that we have disconnected ourselves from our history. This is why visiting places like the Museum Of Native American History is important. Finding a destination that focuses on the various cultures that inhabited the Americas is a welcome treat. We cleared our schedule to allow for time to investigate this FREE museum and soon found ourselves facing the past in Bentonville, Arkansas. After an exciting breakfast at a nearby airport, we were anxious to explore the M.O.N.A.H. With Crystal’s Native American heritage, these types of attractions hit home.
We want to thank Visit Bentonville and M.O.N.A.H. for hosting our visit. Rest assured all opinions are our own.
Heady History
Like most museums, there is a staggering number of displays. To help give a taste of our experience, I am only concentrating on a small portion. There is a lot to be gained from studying the artistic relics from other cultures. These often highlight the social and political temperature of the time period. The Mississippian Period (900A.D. – 1450 A.D.) was filled with a wide range of settlements. Everything from small villages to large-scale civilizations would have dotted the landscape. Some of these would have approached 20,000 residents. Culturally, the groups that inhabited the Arkansas region were reaching a pinnacle of artistic pottery design. Examining these amazing creations is like facing the past with fresh eyes.
Stepping Back In Time
When we spotted this teepee, it reminded us of a visit to a similar museum in Wichita, Kansas. Passing through, we were deposited in another series of galleries. These are filled with assorted hand-made artifacts. Gazing at the headdresses, we felt we were facing the past residents of these lands. It’s mind-boggling to think these delicate pieces have retained their beauty for so long. Many of the displays include intricate details that warrant examination. The museum has benches for those wanting to sit and take it all in.
European Influences
As more Europeans came to America, the items they brought for trade expanded. They discovered that the Native Americans had been using beads, as decoration, for centuries. These were primarily made out of bone, shell, and stone. Europeans brought with them glass beads, which were prized by the natives. The smallest were called “seed beads” due to their diminutive size. With these, intricate patterns could be achieved, as seen in some of the artifacts on display at the M.O.N.A.H.
Facing the Past
We spent a considerable amount of time exploring the museum. The vast number of artifacts cover all of the periods of native history in the Americas. It is important to note that the museum doesn’t stop at the people who inhabited the Arkansas region. We spotted displays with pieces from Mexico, Central, and South America. It is interesting to compare the artistic designs of these various cultures. Pottery is a good way to examine the skill levels, as they appear in their finished works. It puts perspective on the advancements made by native people over the centuries. To find yourself facing the past, you should plan your visit to the M.O.N.A.H.
Definitely worthy of visiting! We love this museum! Happy you wrote an article about it! Bentonville AR as a whole is an amazing place to live!
We have to agree completely. Bentonville is filled with fun and interesting activities for the whole family.