Fulfilling a Prophecy: The Past and Present of the Lenape in Pennsylvania  

November 4, 2009

Wednesday 10:00am - 4:30pm

Detail:

Conventional histories of Pennsylvania declare that all but a few elderly Lenape people left the state by the opening of the 19th century. Yet, many remained in secret. Children of the little known Lenape-European marriages of the 1700s stayed on the Lenape homelands, practicing their traditions covertly. Hiding their heritage, they avoided discovery by both the government and their neighbors for more than two hundred years. Now, the descendants of these people have come forward to tell their story.

Fulfilling a Prophecy, organized by Penn Museum together with the Lenape Nation of Pennsylvania,* features never before displayed objects from the private collections of Lenape people in Pennsylvania, in addition to historic and contemporary photographs and archaeological objects from the collections of Penn Museum. Ancient masks, dolls, jewelry, and other traditional arts are featured, as well as a number of once-secret family heirlooms, rich with hidden Lenape symbolism, dating from the early 19th century.

*Like half of all Native American groups in the United States, the Lenape Nation of Pennsylvania is not recognized by the federal or state authorities. Though there are many privileges to be gained through recognition, the process of gaining recognition remains both complex and expensive for many Native American groups.

The exhibit also addresses the activities and aspirations of the Lenape of Pennsylvania today, as members of the community speak out through a short video. Jacqueline and John C. Hover II Gallery.