Mashantucket Pequot Museum and Research Center

Dubbed the “biggest and best American Indian museum” in my guidebook, the Mashantucket Pequot Museum and Research Center is actually worth the trip. Although I didn't visit the Foxwoods Resort Casino, which is such an important source of income for the indigenous people, I understood that the almost 1,000 members of the Pequot tribe use a lot of the money from the income for their tribal affairs. And that also includes the rather magnificent building of the museum. In keeping with my reading of Angeline Boulley's “Warrior Girls Unearthed” I see numerous handcrafted baskets here. First, the Pequot tribe is presented in their current way of life. The tribe was not officially recognized by the U.S. government until 1983. At the beginning of the museum exhibition are the various creation stories of various Native Americans. Then there are detailed 1:1 replicas with audio guides from times gone by. And countless excavated objects and attempts to revive lost knowledge make it clear how difficult it is for people to transport their origins and traditions into the present day.