Monacan Ancestral Museum — Attraction in Amherst

In March of 2023, I visited the Monacan Nation Museum. The Museum is located in Amherst County, outside of Madison Heights ( just outside Lynchburg, VA). Beautiful rolling hills greet you as you enter the tribal lands. The Museum is small and very orderly arranged. There are artifacts and several, easy to read posters, of different areas and events in Monacan history. The director of the museum carried herself with great dignity, and shared the history dating back to the wars with the Powhatan peoples. Mrs Parrish, the museum director, celebrated the state recognition in 1987 and federal recognition of 2018. (Shockingly recent!) Mrs. Parrish also talked about other struggles of her Nation to survive and be recognized, to buy back their land, and to provide for the members of their nation. I was greatly moved, disturbed and upset by the continuing racism she personally has encountered even with visitors coming to the museum. Recently, Mrs Parrish went to give a presentation at her niece’s school, after a teacher told her niece that her people weren’t  important enough to be included in a history lesson of Indigenous peoples or American history.   I felt outraged to learn of the continuing indignity she and her niece had to endure. Still has to endure! Her story has stayed with me !

Mac Broussard

Committee Member Indigenous Affairs Committee Baltimore Yearly Meeting Religious...

So much history, pride & spirit. Visited the Museum, enjoyed the film documentary very much, so much to absorb! Looked at everything, touched what was allowed & was amazed by the pictures! I enjoyed listening to the young lady as she described everything to us & answered our questions...she was a wealth of information.

The old schoolhouse....My heart felt so many emotions walking into that little schoolhouse, seeing the small chairs....words cannot express the emotions I felt. We went into the church, those stained glass windows...absolutely beautiful.

I am a proud Monacan Indian Nation tribal member & love learning more of my heritage. Thank you for sharing the gift of...

If you like to learn & appreciate history you should go. And if you don't like those things u should still go :) It's good for your mind & it's fascinating to see all the artifacts & understand the heritage; how they lived, what they did, what they went thru, & where they're at. It's very educational for recognizing Indian artifacts & tools if you're a collector or rockhound. This was their land & the museum is a great experience for understanding & learning about...