Curriculum
Cultural Studies
Compiled by Bob Rouse
The Akta Lakota Museum
is located in Chamberlain,
South Dakota, on the campus
of St. Joseph’s Indian School,
a residential school for
American Indian children. In
the Lakota language, Akta
Lakota means “honor the
people,” and the museum
honors and promotes the
culture and heritage of the
families served by the school.
The attraction’s exhibits
are arranged in a manner
reflecting the Lakota
philosophy that all things
spiritual are inside a circle,
the Hocoka. Following that
pattern, the exhibits detail
the lives of the Lakota people in four periods: prior to Euro-American
contact, after the arrival of settlers and traders, the time of broken
promises from the U.S. government, and today’s new way of life.
The museum features art, artifacts and educational displays that
depict the proud heritage of the Lakota people, as well as a gallery
that gives local American Indian artists a place to display and sell their
work. Outdoors, the Medicine Wheel Garden features a rendering of
the sacred symbol, and visitors can stroll around the property and
AKTA LAKOTA MUSEUM
THE CIRCLE
OF LIFE
reflect on the Lakota directional prayers, which are displayed on
interpretive panels resembling buffalo hides.
There is no entrance fee to the museum, which is open year-round
with extended hours May through October. Guided tours are available,
or guests can browse on their own and view a 23-minute movie,
“Native Americans: The People of the Plains.”
For more information, contact Dixie Thompson, museum director, at
[email protected], or visit aktalakota.org.
A FARM IN A FABLED REGION
THE AMISH FARM AND HOUSE
The Amish Farm and House in Lancaster,
Pennsylvania, opened in 1955 as the first educational
Amish attraction in the United States. It was created
to accommodate the flow of visitors to the area in
the wake of a popular Broadway production, “Plain
and Fancy,” which depicted the Amish of Lancaster
County. The attraction is situated on property that
dates to the days of William Penn, founder of
Pennsylvania, and was fronted by the LancasterPhiladelphia Turnpike, the first paved road in the
United States.
The Amish Farm and House provides visitors
an authentic experience that is respectful of its
Amish neighbors. Guests can enjoy guided tours
of the 1805 farm house and self-guided tours of
the 15-acre farm. Students can feed farm animals,
watch demonstrations by the resident woodcarver,
ride Amish scooters and experience Amish schooling
in “Katie’s Classroom,” an enhanced schoolhouse
presentation. Ninety minutes is the suggested length
of stay.
Countryside tours of one to three hours are
available, with step-on guide service offered in five
languages: English, French, German, Chinese and
Spanish. Special events throughout the year include
fall farm days and sheep shearing.
To reserve a visit, contact Peggy Nana-Sinkam at
+1.717.394.6185 or peggy@amishfarmandhouse.
com, or visit amishfarmandhouse.com.
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