The Museum of Indian Culture in Allentown, PA, works to keep alive the traditions of the Lenape (Delaware) and other American Indian tribes so that their teachings and culture are not lost forever.
History of the Lenape Tribe
For over 10,000 years, the first peoples of the Northeastern Woodland tribes lived in agricultural and hunting societies. When the Europeans arrived, the Lenni Lenape of Pennsylvania initially enjoyed equitable dealings with William Penn. After Penn’s death, his sons eventually swindled the Lenape out of their land, in a deal now known as the infamous “Walking Purchase.” Times only got progressively worse for the Lenape. In the 1730s, an English bounty of 30 to 50 British pounds was offered for any Lenape, dead or alive. Eventually, the remnants of the Lenape were forced to relocate in Oklahoma and Canada. Today, their descendants (now known as the Delaware) are found worldwide.
Events at the Museum
The Museum of Indian Culture features annual events such as the Three Sisters Harvest and the Roasting Ears of Corn Festival, as well as special events year round. Every October, “Haunts in the Parkway” takes place, hosted by P.H.E.A.R - Paranormal Help Experiment and Activity Research. Some of the proceeds support food banks for federally recognized Native Americans living in the tri-state area.
The Museum maintains and displays a wide variety of artifacts, including stone tools, ceramics, carvings, photographs, feathers, weapons, beadwork, and basketry from Native peoples throughout the Western hemisphere. Their display includes a Miwok basket collection from California, Aztec ceremonial clothing from Mexico, and stone tools from a Lenape/Delaware rock shelter site in Pennsylvania, among many other items.
Ghostly Happenings
Pat Rivera has been the Executive Director of the Museum for ten years. It wasn’t long before she realized that the rumors she had heard about the ghostly residents of the Museum were true. “I never feel that I’m truly alone here,” Pat explained. “I definitely feel watched and many other people have reported the same sensations. We sometimes have guest performers and lecturers staying in the upstairs lounge overnight and, almost without exception, they report being awakened at 3:00 am by the sound of heavy boots walking across the floor.”
The original structure, built in the late 1700s, was once the home of Charles and Sarah Beiber and many are convinced that the Beibers remain here to keep an eye on their old house.
In 2002, Pat and her daughter had started clearing and cataloging the backlog of debris and artifacts in preparation for much-needed renovations. Both were startled to witness the books in the library start to flap back and forth violently, as well as all three doors on the second floor moving back and forth on their own. The activity stopped when requested. On another occasion, Pat physically heard a woman’s voice admonish “Be careful what you throw out!” while she was packing boxes. Pat and her son also heard a woman singing in German, which would fit with the presence of the Biebers.
Many have seen the ghost of a little girl in and around the Museum, although research has not uncovered any record of a child’s death here. A painter working on the house (who thereafter refused to be in the Museum alone) reported being asked for a cigarette by a man who subsequently vanished.
Pat Rivera has even more personal encounters to report. “One night in 2008, right before the October festival, I was closing up and thought I saw a bat out of the corner of my eye. When I looked more closely, I realized that I was seeing a conical shaped tube, about ten feet above my head, glowing red. I stared at it for about 20 seconds, after which it slowly dissipated. I have no logical explanation for that!”
The outside of the Museum and the surrounding area is very active, too. Guest performers, including two Oneida clan mothers, have witnessed spirit blue herons near the river, ghostly forms, and balls of fire. They commented to Pat that “the ancestors are here” and advised her to put out a “spirit plate.” Pat prepared an offering of apples, pumpkins, and Indian fry bread to honor the presence of the elders. The full body apparition of a woman in white on the other side of the river has also been seen by some visitors.
Possible reasons for paranormal activity
There are a number of possible explanations for why this area is so active. In addition to the Native American connection, it is close by a river and in an area known for its quartz and limestone content. There are also underground springs located here and one theory is that water, like quartz and limestone, may be a conductor or amplifier of electromagnetic energy.
Some speculate that it could be a type of vortex or “crossroads” between the worlds of the living and the dead. The road in front, although straight and generally not crowded, has witnessed two mysterious auto accident deaths in the past ten years. Investigations proved that there was no alcohol or excessive speed involved, yet the drivers in both these one car accidents inexplicably drove off the road and into a tree or wall. Was it their time? Or did they see something that frightened them to the point that they lost control?
Visit the Museum of Indian Culture
The Museum of Indian Culture is well worth a visit. It’s open Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, from noon to 4:00 pm. Check out the Calender of Events for information on upcoming family friendly activities.
Planned events include:
Fri Nov 11, 2011 at 12:00PM:
George Melloy: Kachinas - Spirit Dolls of the Hopi
Fri Nov 11, 2011 at 12:00PM:
Mystery Unearthed: the Extraordinary Story of Two Lenape Rock Shelters
Sat Nov 12, 2011 at 12:00PM:
Mystery Unearthed: the Extraordinary Story of Two Lenape Rock Shelters
Sat Nov 12, 2011 at 12:00PM:
George Melloy: Kachinas - Spirit Dolls of the Hopi
Sun Nov 13, 2011 at 12:00PM:
George Melloy: Kachinas - Spirit Dolls of the Hopi
The Museum is located at: 2825 Fish Hatchery Road, Allentown, PA, 18103. The phone number is 610-797-2121 or contact them by email: info@museumofindianculture.org.
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