Press

ALBANY, NY – “Native People’’ will be the theme of the New York State Museum’s next Family Fun Weekend, March 3 and 4.

The “Family Fun Weekend, Presented by Fidelis Care” takes place from 1- 4 p.m. both days. Most activities, which are free of charge, will be held in Bird Hall on the Museum’s first floor.

Throughout the afternoon both days visitors can view a tabletop model of an Iroquois Longhouse, which will show where up to 14 families, or as many as 80 people, would have lived. Visitors will be able to make a birch bark canoe and an Iroquois headdress to take home. Museum staff will bring out the Native Peoples exploration cart, which displays artifacts visitors may touch. Also scheduled is a scavenger hunt, with prizes. Children will get an activity packet with coloring sheets and puzzles to take home.

On Saturday afternoon, visitors can participate in a group art project led by Patrick Wadden, co-founder of Arm-of-the Sea Theater. The troupe uses puppetry and masks to tell ancient and contemporary cultural stories. On Sunday, from 2 to 3 p.m., Kay Olan Ionataiewas, a Native Mohawk woman of the Wolf Clan, dressed in a native outfit, will talk about the culture, past and present, and share stories and artifacts from Iroquois culture.

At 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. both days the Museum’s inflatable planetarium, Star Lab, will present a “Native Skies’’ show devoted to mythology. On Saturday the Star Lab will be in South Hall and on Sunday at the Carole F. Huxley Theater (former Museum Theater).Tickets, which are free of charge, are required and available at the main information desk. Each show is limited to 30 people.

“Family Fun Weekend, Presented by Fidelis Care” offer theme-based family activities, on the first weekend of the month.

The New York State Museum, established in 1836, is a program of the New York State Education Department. Located at the Empire State Plaza on Madison Avenue in Albany, the Museum is open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. except on Thanksgiving and Christmas. Admission is free and the Museum is fully accessible.

Further information about Museum programs and events can be obtained by calling (518) 474-5877 or visiting the museum Web site at www.nysm.nysed.gov.