Virginia's Indian Heritage Trail

I always like it when someone comes up with a trail excursion for historic sites, and that is just what the state of Virginia has done. It was created to "portray the Virginian Indian in appropriate light." It hopes to prove that the history of Virginia's tribes did not begin and end with Jamestown.

I like to take a linear approach to history, be it going down Route 66, the Lincoln Highway, or The Bourbon Trail and John Hunt Morgan Trail in Kentucky.

The 80 page interpretive guide is available free of charge at any of Virginia's main points of entry (interstates).

Yesterday, the Northwest Herald ran an Associated Press article titled "Virginia revisits its tribal roots on trail".

Part of the trail leads to the Monacan Ancestral Museum in Amherst County where you can learn about Virginia's "Lost Tribe". They claim that they were able to survive for hundreds of years after the colonists came because they were extremely isolated.

The guide also includes photos, histories of Virginia's eight state-recognized tribes, events and places to visit.
Its creators found and researched over 100 museums and sites in the state and narrowed them down to the ones listed. Many of the ones they visited were left off the list because some displays used language offensive to Indians, and some even sold rubber tomahawks and feathered headdresses.

I went online to check out the site. It is not entirely on the web, but there was a list of Native American related sites in the state. I don't if they're in the trail guide.

ABRAM'S DELIGHT- Abraham Hollingsworth traveled the Wilderness Trail when it was still an Indian path. His home is in Winchester.

MATTAPON MUSEUM and MINNE HA HA (well, I have to wonder about the last one), located in the Tidewater Region at West Point- source of handcrafted traditional articles and artifacts, some as old as 5000 years. They also have Pochahontas' necklace on display. Both places have educational programs, pottery, beadwork, cooking, and Indian medicines.

My Hat's Off to Virginia for Their Efforts in This. --RoadDog