Institute for American Indian Studies

Located in Washington, Connecticut, the Institute for American Indian Studies (IAIS) was incorporated in 1975 as an outgrowth of local efforts to recover New England's then-largely-unknown Indigenous history. A respect for the Earth and for all living things is central to Native American life ways and this is reflected throughout our museum, which is nestled in 13 acres of woodlands and trails.
"Quinnetukut", our core exhibition, follows the 12,000+ year history of Connecticut's Native American peoples from the distant past to their lives and cultures today. 
Our Adelphena Logan Education Room is an indoor re-creation of an Algonkian Sachem's house containing both original and replicated artifacts as well as a detailed mural depicting everyday life in a Northeastern village before the arrival of Europeans.
Our "We Are Still Here" exhibit bridges past and present through changing exhibitions of artifacts and traditional crafts demonstrating the continuity and connections of post-colonial and modern tribal lifestyles across North America.
"Wigwam Escape" is our themed escape room designed to educate the public about how pre-contact Native peoples lived within their environment over 500 years ago. In an immersive forest setting with no locks, keys or clocks, Wigwam Escape’s thematic puzzles challenge game players to hunt, find water and prepare food similar to how Native people did for thousands of years prior to European contact.
IAIS' Education department reaches thousands of students each year through on-site field trips, outreach programs, workshops and learning programs for all ages. In addition, we offer summer camp with activities to encourage children to practice team building skills, increase their appreciation for nature, and connect with a culture that has more than 12,000 years of history. 
Outdoors, our replicated 16th century Algonkian village depicts features common to an Algonkian village of 350 to 1000 years ago, including a Sachem's House, bark-covered wigwams, and Three Sisters Garden. We hold several outdoor traditional seasonal festivals each year, including Maple Sugaring and Green Corn. 
IAIS' Research & Collections hosts online academic presentations on archaeological, environmental and cultural topics. Our Collections building houses thousands of artifacts and a library open by appointment to teachers, students and scholars.
The Institute for American Indian Studies is open Tuesday-Sunday, 11am-4pm year-round, excluding major holidays.