Indigenous Heritage Day @ Historic St. Mary's City

Join Historic St. Mary’s City for Indigenous Heritage Day, a celebration of Native lifeways past and present. Explore ongoing demonstrations at the Woodland Indian Hamlet highlighting traditional skills such as hide tanning, pottery making, and cooking. This annual event offers a deeper look at the rich heritage of the region’s Indigenous peoples.

More information will be posted as we continue to plan for the day. Please check back for the most up-to-date information
 

1:30 p.m.
Performance by Mark Tayac and the Piscataway Nation Singers & Dancers. From Tayac Territory (Port Tobacco, MD), Mark Tayac travels with the Piscataway Nation Singers & Dancers presenting a colorful, educational and entertaining pow wow-style event featuring American Indian Dance, Drum & Song that tells of American Indian history, culture, and traditions.

Ongoing demonstrations throughout the day:
Pottery
Meet with members of HSMC staff as they demonstrate Late-Woodland Indian pottery techniques.

Nature’s Bounty
HSMC staff demonstrate the many plants, native and invasive, throughout the landscape that can be used by humans.

Clothing
HSMC staff show how to preserve animal skins and how those skins can be made into clothing. (Visitor discretion advised, not for the squeamish.)
 

Canoe Burning
HSMC staff will use fire as a power tool and demonstrate burning a dugout canoe.