This article was originally published on Visit Philadelphia.
November is National Native American Heritage Month in the United States, a time to honor and celebrate the cultures, histories and traditions of the country’s Indigenous peoples.
This year, Philadelphia visitors and residents can dive into Native American history with special programming and family-friendly activities at the National Constitution Center or view rare artifacts and interactive exhibitions at the Museum of the American Revolution.
Experience live traditional music and storytelling from members of the Lenape nation at the Woodmere Art Museum, or borrow a banned book by a Native American author with Visit Philadelphia’s Little Free(dom) Libraries initiative.
Or experience public art, landmarks and exhibitions celebrating Indigenous communities year-round at historic sites and museums throughout Philly.
Read on for our guide to National Native American Heritage Month in Philadelphia for 2024.
Little Free(dom) Libraries
Ongoing
Visit Philadelphia’s Little Free(dom) Library initiative encourages residents and visitors in Philadelphia to pick up banned books for free at over a dozen locations throughout the city. For Native American Heritage Month, find the latest addition: Fry Bread: A Native American Family Story by Kevin Noble Maillard (illustrated by Juana Martinez-Neal). Hours vary by location, so be sure to check current hours before heading out
Where: Various locations including the Betsy Ross House, 239 Arch Street
Native American Heritage Month at the National Constitution Center
November 1-30, 2024
All month long, the National Constitution Center hosts a series of programs and activities exploring the history of Indigenous peoples in pre- and post-colonial America. Daily programming includes Lenape language activities, a history of Thanksgiving show and activity tables highlighting historic maps from before the arrival of the Founding Fathers. On weekends, visitors can create their own take-home corn husk dolls, like those made by the Wampanoag people during the 17th century.
Where: National Constitution Center, 525 Arch Street
Exploring Lenape Culture, Art & Traditional Craft
November 3-24, 2024
The language of Pennsylvania’s original founding fathers and mothers can be heard in the iconic names of streets (Passyunk) and landmarks (Wissahickon) across the region. Learn more about the culture and heritage of the Lenape Nation of Pennsylvania with Adam Waterbear DePaul (Lenape Nation Tribal Storykeeper and Director of Education) and Teri Hislop (Lenape Nation Clan Mother and Keeper of Traditional Craft) during this four-part, virtual series.
Where: Online
An Evening of Storytelling with the Lenape Nation of PA at the Woodmere Art Museum
Thursday, November 21, 2024 | 6:30 p.m.
This special collaboration between Morris Arboretum & Gardens and the Woodmere Art Museum honors Native American Heritage Month with an evening of music and traditional storytelling. Featuring Chief Adam Waterbear DePaul — storykeeper of the Lenape Nation of Pennsylvania — the annual celebration includes stories on history, culture and language, along with singing and drum performances.
Where: Woodmere Art Museum, 9201 Germantown Avenue
Thanksgiving Weekend 2024 at the Museum of the American Revolution
November 29 – December 1, 2024
Learn how Native Americans’ role in the Revolutionary War turned the tide of history with this robust weekend of Native American History Month programs and exhibitions. Highlights include an immersive multimedia gallery on the Oneida nation, a discovery cart with replica artifacts and documents about an Oneida woman who fought in the war named Tyonajanegen, first-person performances by historical actors, and a family-friendly recreation of 18th-century winter holidays. Plus, don’t miss the last few weeks to view over 100 artifacts that explore untold stories from the American Revolution during Witness to Revolution: The Unlikely Travels of Washington’s Tent.
Where: Museum of the American Revolution, 101 S. 3rd Street
More Ways to Explore Indigenous Culture & History in Greater Philadelphia
As one of the oldest cities in the nation, Philadelphia offers a rich collection of Indigenous culture, art, artifacts and historical lands and sacred legends. Want to know more about the region’s Indigenous sites, landmarks and attractions? Comb through our new guide on Where to Explore Indigenous Culture in Greater Philly and celebrate Native American Heritage Month all year long.
