I’m usually not intrigued by the brown signs on the side of the highway, if I even notice them. A quarry, or “overlook” sounds too busy for my tastes. My favorite attractions are those in more local or private locations, not tourist pit stops to which people detour in order to use the bathroom and buy a T-shirt with the name of the state they’re visiting and a picture of some local animal on it. Monday was the first time (out of so many journeys up route 89 since I was teeny, that I noticed the sign reading “Mount Kersarge Indian Museum.” I was interested, but exhausted by the daunting task of driving as north as I needed to that my boyfriend and I might reach our vacation destination. I honestly just wanted to get to where we were going. But I made up my mind to stop on the way back.
Nestled away in a cute little New Hampshire town is the barn shaped structure that makes up the Mount Kersarge Indian Museum. Founded in 1991 by a man fascinated by Native American culture and his wife who shared his passion, the Museum is a pleasant surprise. It features an incredible collection of baskets and clothing articles (you’ll be amazed by just how SOFT bison skin is). I believe it is safe to say that the museum features articles that one won’t see many other places, from intricate Navajo rugs to beautiful Plains headdress featuring eagle features which literally grace it from head to toe. My favorite pieces were the White Pine Canoe, Arrowheads thousands of years old, beautiful beaded moccasins and the tipi display set up to depict what a Plains dwelling would look like in the years after contact. The Mount Kersarge Museum features a very carefully collected unique inventory of must see artifacts for anyone passionate about Native American Culture and Heritage, and anyone interested in the cultural history of America. The Museum is an hour and a half from Boston, close enough for anyone in the area to make a day out of it and take a trip to see the museum. I highly recommend it.
I’m a firm believer that out of the ordinary, enriching experiences are our responsibility to seek out. That the opportunity to learn something new about ourselves, about others and the world around us is easy enough if we simply make the decision to do it. I don’t know how many times I’ve looked at museum websites on my computer and thought “Some day, I’m going to visit ______.” Someday became today when I finally reached a level of boredom so severe that I’d rather drive three hours to visit a new place I really wanted to see than find some movie to see a convenient fifteen minutes away that I knew would be just okay.
So I want you to do the same. If there is a place that you really want to see, that peaks your interest, go there. Make up your mind to go out of your way for something that you love. If you love Native American Culture, head up to Mt. Kersarge. I promise you won’t be disappointed.
