The Longhouse Design

 

In a modern building designed to evoke the Great Iroquois Longhouses, visitors are introduced to another world view. The Museum is shaped as such to recall the traditional Iroquois elm bark longhouses found in this area 400 years ago. A long and lofty longhouse with ingenious smoke holes in its roof, is interpreted by architect, C. Treat Arnold as a modern skylight over the Main Gallery. Grey shakes on the exterior suggest slabs of elm bark.

 

The Museum's open porches suggest that additions are possible. Iroquois longhouses expanded to be over 300 feet long at times. The open mezzanine recalls the upper level of bunks and storage.

 

The outdoor amphitheater has a special floor constructed for Iroquois social dancing. The amphitheater is used for storytelling, talks, and various performing arts.