One family in the Poconos has been keeping Native American history alive for 50 years at the Pocono Indian Museum. Now it's time for the next generation to take over.
EAST STROUDSBURG, Pa. — A step into the halls of the Pocono Indian Museum in Monroe County tells the stories of the Native American people in our region.
"They were farmers, they were family people, they lived peacefully with their neighbors, and unfortunately, their lack of understanding of ownership of land caused them to lose the land they called home," said owner and curator, Malcolm Law.
The museum on Route 209 near Bushkill has been around for 50 years.
The idea for a museum started after Malcolm and Margaret Law purchased a large collection of Delaware Indian artifacts. Then in 1976, they purchased the building and did a full renovation.
"As we added everything, it just was beautiful, and it has just been wonderful," said owner Margaret Law.
Margaret has spent years curating the gift shop with items made by native people and a library filled with books.
In the museum, artifacts are curated by Malcolm. He says many of the artifacts on display were found right here in the Poconos.
"Some of them were discovered by amateur archaeologists who go through farmers' fields along the Delaware River and look for different arrowheads, spear points, pottery, and so on," explained Law.
Over the last five decades, the museum has welcomed classes for school field trips and visitors from near and far.
"Children come in and really have no pre-conceived idea about native American people, and our plan is to take them and show them what these people are really like," said Malcolm.
After five decades in business, the Law will soon retire. They say it's time to pass the business down to their son Shane, who will keep the daily tours up and running.
"It's exciting, it's been really cool to see the generations come in, you'll see mom and dad, then they bring their kids, then they bring their kids," said general manager Shane Law.
The law says even in retirement, they'll be around to see what the years ahead hold.