Celebrate Native heritage at Historic St. Mary’s City with a day of performances, presentations, and hands-on activities that bring the past to life.

Event Highlights:

• 1:30 p.m. Performance: 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.

• Special Presentation: Eight Shirts, Seven Coats, Fifteen Fathoms Wampum: The First Deeds with Drew Shuptar-Rayvis (Pekatawas Makatawai’U “Black Corn”), exploring Native life in the Northeast (1650–1690) through engaging discussion and authentic artifacts.

Ongoing Demonstrations and Activities

• Pottery: Learn how Late-Woodland Indian pottery was crafted using traditional methods.

• Nature’s Bounty: Discover native and invasive plants that can be used for food, medicine, and more.

• Clothing: See how animal skins were preserved and transformed into clothing (visitor discretion advised).

• Canoe Burning: Watch as fire and stone tools are used to carve a dugout canoe.

• Atlatl Throwing: Try your hand at using this ancient spear-throwing tool.

• Cordage Making: Twist plant fibers into strong string using age-old techniques.

• Woodland Games: Play traditional games enjoyed by Native children and families.

Indigenous Heritage Day will take place outdoors, rain or shine

Admission for the day will be available to purchase at the HSMC Visitor Center (18751 Hogaboom Lane, St. Mary’s City, Md 20686)

$10 adult; $9 senior; $6 student; free to ages 5 and younger. Free to museum members.