The Tantaquidgeon Indian Museum is the oldest Indian-owned and operated museum in America. The museum was built in 1931 and located in Uncasville, Connecticut. This museum is owned and ran by the federally recognized Mohegan Tribe, making this museum a privately owned governance. The museum’s first building was built by the owners Gladys Tantaquidgeon and her brother Harold and father John. The museum began with a little stone room including collections of various artifacts that were made and used by the Mohegan tribe. It is now owned and operated by the Mohegan tribal members. The museum and its collection are for the tribe’s members as well as others to enjoy. The collections are in the trust and owned by no one in particular. The Tantaquidgeon …show more content…
The tribe also has a Programs Department, which organizes and helps with daily operations of the museum. Tours are conducted by Mohegan Tribal members. The cost of admission to the museum is free. Since the opening of the museum, it has always been free for the public, schools, and groups to visit. The funding for the museum comes from the businesses of the Mohegan Tribe and their members. The museum also receives small federal grants from being a federally recognized tribe and receives many donations as well. The museum does not possess a gift shop.
As for volunteers, they only use them for special events and which are rare. The museum’s staff is all Mohegan tribal members. The museum does not have a membership organization. The museum staff does not travel to schools or organizations to educate people; they simply rely on educating from inside the museum and does not officially partner with any other museums. They do, however, have a friendly affiliation with Leffingwell Museum and Tomaquag Museum, both of which are small and connected to the Tantaquidgeon …show more content…
For instance, both do not always have to have a Board. Volunteers are rare for both types. Most the time private and line department museums stick to hiring staff members only and do not bother with volunteers or a volunteer program. In regards to operations in the museum, even if they do possess a Board, the staff members ultimately chose the programs, exhibits, and how the funding should be spent. More often than not, in both cases, the board plays more of an advisory role and exists to help make final decisions, not to dictate the detailed running of the