Mashantucket Pequot Museum & Research Center
The Mashantucket Pequot Museum & Research Center, one of Connecticut’s top cultural attractions, has been captivating visitors since 1998. It features fascinating exhibits that transport guests back in time to the Ice Age and beyond.
As you begin your journey, an escalator ushers you through blue walls reminiscent of ancient ice, leading you to a period approximately 11,000 years ago, when the first humans began inhabiting New England. Regardless of the time you allocate for exploration, the museum’s expansive offerings will undoubtedly mesmerize you.
Spanning over 308,000 square feet and five stories, the first two floors are dedicated to public exhibits that narrate the history of the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation. While you might not consider yourself an avid museum-goer, the life-like dioramas showcasing everything from a caribou hunt to daily life in a Native American village are sure to captivate your interest. Furthermore, interactive touch-screen computers and an audio tour enhance your experience with rich sounds and engaging stories.
Throughout the museum, dark theaters present dramatic films while galleries display handcrafts, artifacts, and rotating special exhibitions. Interactive, multimedia installations invite visitors of all ages to engage with various aspects of Native American culture. Additionally, a reconstructed 1780s Farmstead reveals the tribe’s adaptation to European tools and traditions.
Your historical exploration culminates in the portrait gallery featuring enlarged black and white photographs, offering insight into the faces of contemporary Pequots. After suffering significant losses during the Pequot War (1636-1638), the tribe has recently regained federal recognition and financial stability, largely attributed to the prosperity of Foxwoods Resort Casino.
For those interested, call ahead to check the museum’s event schedule, which frequently showcases musical performances, storytelling sessions, informative lectures, cooking demonstrations, and special tours.
Location and Directions
Location: The museum is situated at 110 Pequot Trail, Mashantucket, CT 06338, USA.
Getting There: To reach the museum from Hartford, follow Route 2 East to Route 395 South, then to Route 2A East. Turn right onto Route 2 East toward Mashantucket. After passing the primary entrance to Foxwoods Resort Casino, take a right at the next traffic light onto Route 214, then right onto Pequot Trail after 0.3 miles.
Additional directions can be found through the Mashantucket Pequot Museum website.
Free parking is available on-site.
Museum Hours and Admission
Public Hours: The museum operates Wednesday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. from late March through early December, with the last admission at 4 p.m. In November, the museum hours are Tuesday through Saturday with the same timing. However, it remains closed on the 4th of July and Thanksgiving Day. During the winter off-season, it is accessible to members only on Wednesdays.
Admission: As of 2016, the ticket prices are $20 for adults, $15 for seniors (those aged 65 and older) and college students with ID, $12 for children aged 6 to 17, and free for children aged 5 and under.
Contact Information
For more details, you can call toll-free at 800-411-9671 or visit the Pequot Museum online.
