The Native American history of Hatteras Island and the Native American culture of our nation are preserved at this must-see museum in Frisco. The building, with one section dating back to 1880, is much larger than it appears from the outside and includes a nationally recognized collection of artifacts, exhibits and natural history displays. Galleries filled with native art, pottery, weavings, baskets, weaponry, jewelry, stone work and much more provide an overview of an amazing number of diverse and beautiful Native American cultures across the United States. Particularly interesting to Hatteras Island visitors is the gallery featuring the Native Americans who once inhabited this island. Visitors can walk into a longhouse, sit beside the fire pit and see tools, instruments and other everyday items reflective of life prior to European contact. Artifacts uncovered on the island in an archaeological dig conducted by East Carolina University are also on display as well as a dugout canoe actually found on the property.
The gift shop has a great variety of Native American-made items, including arts and crafts, walking sticks, dream-catchers, jewelry, paintings, drums, pottery, handmade knives and much more. The facility also includes a book store and even an antiques gallery operated by Friends of the Museum. While you’re here, be sure to walk on the museum’s nature trails that wind through several acres of maritime forest and include a longhouse, dance circle with ceremonial poles, fishing weir and other examples of early life on Hatteras Island. Use one of the shell scrapers to help complete the dugout canoe that has been shaped from a large cedar tree.
Museum hours are 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. During its winter schedule the museum only operates Saturday and Sunday. Cost is $5 for students and seniors (60+), $8 for individuals or $20 per family (two adults and up to four children). The admission fee includes weekly seminars from mid-June through Labor Day. Note that the museum is closed or open only for limited outdoor programs during the COVID-19 pandemic; call ahead to find out if they're open and what the hours are.
Guided tours for groups are available. The museum sponsors a variety of Discovery Days throughout the year with hands-on learning activities and interactive work sessions. Notices, information and a weekly educational post called Museum Monday are posted on the museum's website and Facebook page.
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