First settlers: Elmhurst History Museum presents new look at lives of Native Americans

Searching for a better life for their families, trying to get along with neighbors and heading out on a bison hunt are just some of the aspects of life explored in the new featured exhibit at the Elmhurst History Museum.

The temporary exhibit “People of the Prairie” tells the stories of Native Americans who lived in northern Illinois about 12,000 years ago at the end of the last ice age. The exhibit is scheduled to open Feb. 4 and runs through June 5.

“Our existence is distinctly different, but in many ways, we are all still trying to do the same basic things,” said Dan Bartlett, curator of exhibits at the museum. “There was an emphasis on community, families and community life. And we both have the same motivations, to find places with resources and to better provide for our families.”

Bartlett and his staff have worked for several months to build the exhibit, with research and collaboration with other museums to borrow artifacts. Additionally, Bartlett was able to work with his spouse, archaeologist Sara Pfannkuche, for counsel and advice. He said the focus of the exhibit is using an archaeological lens to learn about the history of the people.

Borrowed artifacts such as stone tools help create a picture of what life was like as the Native Americans faced changing climates, challenging landscapes and lifestyles that evolved from nomadic to settled communities.

Another important resource for the museum was the Midwest SOARRING Foundation, which maintains and educates on the traditions of Native Americans.

The museum’s exhibit comes at a time when local communities and organizations are taking time for their own research on Native Americans and creating land acknowledgements that recognize Native Americans’ connection to the lands. Patrice Roche, marketing and communications specialist for the Elmhurst History Museum, said the staff has developed its own land acknowledgment and will present it later this year as part of its annual Museum Day.

“We worked very closely with Midwest SOARRING Foundation on the wording and creating our land acknowledgement statement,” Roche said.

Wandering the exhibit, many will recognize the names of tribes such as the Pottawatomie, Iroquois, Peoria and Waubonsee, which today can be associated with everything from cities to schools in northern Illinois.

The recognition of the Native Americans who traveled and hunted in DuPage County and northern Illinois is part of improving one’s understanding of the history of these lands. Within the exhibit there is a digital map designed to graphically depict the swift displacement of Native Americans in the 18th and 19th centuries.

“As a historian, the history of our culture is not always pretty. There are facts we are not able to do anything about, but we can understand and maybe develop a little bit of empathy. One of the first steps is understanding what happened and then to develop empathy,” Bartlett said.

Roche said it’s important to remember that history isn’t a closed subject, but one that changes as we continue to learn and understand.

“History ebbs and flows. It is our job to share the right story in the best way,” Roche said.

With schools still unable to conduct field trips, Roche said she hopes families will take the time to visit the museum. School-age children will enjoy the archaeology lab, where they can learn about the scientific methods archaeologists use to locate and excavate sites. There is a historical timeline of the archeological periods, which compares how people lived, ate and interacted with their neighbors

Museum staff has several programs that correlate to the exhibit. There are talks and hands-on activities, including programming during spring break. Some activities require registration. See the website at https://elmhursthistory.org/ for times and details, as well as museum hours.

Admission to the Elmhurst History Museum, 120 E. Park Ave., is free.