Step into the story of ambition, resilience, and revolution at the Museum of Work & Culture — where history comes alive on the ban
While visiting Rhode Island for the 2026 AASLH Conference, participants are encouraged to make time to visit the Tomaquag Museum—Rhode Island’s only Indigenous-led museum dedicated to the history, culture, and ecological knowledge of the first peoples of the Southern Dawnland (Southern New England).
Established in 1958 by anthropologist Eva Butler with the guidance of Princess Red Wing (Narragansett/Wampanoag), the Museum began in Tomaquag Valley in Ashaway, Rhode Island, and has grown into a nationally recognized cultural non-profit organization. In 2016, it received the National Medal for Museum and Library Service, becoming the first non-profit organization in Rhode Island to earn this distinction. Today, its collections include more than 100,000 Indigenous belongings, supported by a reference library and archival materials focused on the Indigenous peoples of southern New England, with particular emphasis on the federally recognized Narragansett Indian Tribe.
A highlight of the visit is the new exhibition, Revolution to Reclamation: Freedom through Indigenous Sovereignty. The exhibition centers Indigenous voices to reframe America’s 250th anniversary by asking a critical question: what does freedom mean—and who was it meant for? It moves beyond Revolution-era commemoration to connect land, sovereignty, and enduring Indigenous presence across time.
Outdoor cultural installations extend the experience through an educational garden, a contemporary longhouse, and a mishoon (canoe), along with a guided traditional ecological knowledge walk that highlights Indigenous relationships to land and seasonal change. The Museum offers an immersive visitor experience designed specifically for museum professionals seeking in-depth interpretive engagement. Conference participants will rotate through four distinct learning environments—an indoor exhibition, outdoor cultural installations, and additional experiential spaces—spending approximately 30 minutes in each area. Each
rotation is facilitated by an Indigenous educator, providing direct engagement with Indigenous knowledge systems, interpretive practice, and place-based oral-traditions.
Conference attendees must preregister for this special AASLH tour opportunity. The experience is designed to accommodate up to 40 participants. Space is limited, and early registration is encouraged to ensure participation in this educator-led experience. More information is available at https://aaslh.org/annualconference/2026-annual-conference/.
