The Onöhsagwë:de’ Cultural Center Opens New Exhibit “Family Heirlooms: Celebrating Families From our Communities and our Heritage”
By Tami Watt, Editor, Seneca Nation Official Newsletter
The Onöhsagwë:de’ Cultural Center, known for its extensive collection of Hodínöhšö:ni:h and Onödowa’ga’ historical, traditional, and archaeological artifacts, opened its new heirloom exhibit to the public March 7th and will run until December 2025. The exhibit features personal belongings passed down by generations of local Seneca families and community members. The oldest item donated is a late 1800s era pipe tomahawk.
Traditional wooden ash baskets weaved by the late Nettie Watt, corn husk dolls made by Hazel Jimerson, hand crafted wooden chairs from the Fatty family, and bone coins that belonged to Kenneth Snow are some of the artifacts from private collections that are part of the new showcase.
Seneca – Iroquois National Museum Curator, Randee Spruce, designed the exhibit with hopes to engage with fellow Senecas and our shared history. “We are all connected through community and still have our heritage passed down from our ancestors. I hope to initiate and develop more opportunities for community collaboration and participation while establishing connections with people and display them in our wonderful institution,” shared Spruce.
One of the highlights of designing the exhibit for Spruce was researching for details and photos of the original owners and making those connections. “Providing images and small details made it that much more special and closer to heart,” shared Spruce. She was able to locate photos for each piece that was loaned and has them displayed next to the personal item. Heirlooms will continue to be accepted by the museum displayed in the exhibit. Spruce considers this a living exhibit and encourages community members to bring items from their personal collection to add.
The Family Heirloom exhibit also provided an opportunity for community members to learn to care for and clean their artifacts. Participants were invited to bring their heirlooms to a presentation on conservation hosted by Emily Hamilton, Assistant Professor of the Conservation Department from Buffalo State University. Professor Hamilton’s techniques and tools made significant improvements on fragile baskets, corn husk dolls, and headdresses that were heavy with dust and debris.
At the end of the exhibit showing, items will be returned to their respective owners. Spruce will host another conservation presentation to help clean personal items and provide tips on storage before they are sent home. Participants will learn to care for their items in hopes to continue to pass down to the next generation and beyond.
Stop by and see the exhibit today! It runs until December 2025. Please contact Seneca-Iroquois National Museum Curator Randee Spruce at 716-945-1760 for more information.
