The Mitchell Museum of the American Indian in Evanston is offering holiday activities for families every weekend this month. Museum director Kathleen McDonald joined us in the studio with details.
Mitchell Museum of the American Indian Offers Family Fun with Kid's Crafts through the Holiday Season
November 27th- The Mitchell Museum of The American Indian announces its holiday activities for families each weekend this December. Families can stop by the museum to make a Native American inspired craft. The December schedule will include special crafts for children to make as holiday gifts for family and friends. The museum will also have "School's Out: Do-it-Yourself Crafts" during Winter Break.
Mitchell Museum staff and volunteers lead kids in hour-long DIY projects to make simple versions of traditional Native American items including God's Eyes, Corn Husk dolls, Woven Baskets, Dream Catchers and more. Kid's crafts are offered Saturdays 11:00 am- noon and Sundays, 12:30-1:30 pm. The crafts are free with regular admission.
Our featured Holiday Crafts series is available every weekend in December. Featuring activities from the American and Canadian Woodlands and the Southwest, these crafts are sure to bring delight as gifts to share this holiday season. Create a Delaware Gorget Necklace for an auntie or grandma. A gorget is a traditional necklace from the Delaware tribe originally incorporating stone. Or make a Pueblo-style pencil holder for a cousin or neighbor. Check out the Pueblo pottery and jars on display in the museum's exhibits and create your own Pueblo inspired design on your pencil holder.
Keep your calendars open after December 25th for our School's Out All Day DIY crafts series. Bring your whole family to the museum for an inspiring and educational experience during the holidays. Make crafts through the Winter Break that can remind you and your family of Native American culture year-round. Kid's craft activities are recommended for children ages 5 and up, but there is no minimum age requirement. Participants must be accompanied by an adult. No pre-registration is necessary.
Craft Program Schedule is as follows:
November 29 - Dec. 1: Talking Feathers
December: Special Holiday Crafts to make Great Gifts!
7-8 Lumbee Pinecone placemats, Bolo Ties and More
14-15 Delaware Gorget Necklace, Pueblo Pencil Holder and More
21-22 Navajo Concho Belt, God's Eyes, Beaded Key Chains and More
School is Out All Day DIY Crafts:
Dec. 26, 27, 28 and 29
January 2, 3, 4 and 5
The Mitchell Museum of the American Indian is one of only a handful of museums in the country that focuses exclusively on the art, history and culture of American Indian and First Nation peoples throughout the United States and Canada. In 2012, The Mitchell Museum was named "Best Museum of The North Shore: Up and Comer" by Make it Better magazine, won the Superior award by the Illinois Association of Museums and was named a national finalist by the American Association of State and Local History award program.
For more information about The Mitchell Museum of The American Indian, visit http://www.mitchellmuseum.org or call 847-475-1030. The museum is open Tuesday-Wednesday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thursday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday- Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday noon to 4 p.m.
Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for seniors, students and children and Free for Mitchell Museum members and Tribal members.
