Woodland Indian Camp
You are invited to see how the Woodland Indians, who lived in Lake County before the white man settled here, lived. See the wigwam home, clothing with decorations, wild and cultivated foods – all nestled in the hardwood and pine trees. Hear the stories, smell the cooking fire, and feel the bark of the willow saplings in the wigwam frame as volunteer re-enactors live the lifestyle of those who were here in 1750.
The Callumic Band of Great Lakes Woodland Alliance sets up camp in the Buckley Homestead back 80 acres, just southeast of the pioneer farm. Follow the pathway behind the cabin.
Native Americans Celebrate the Seasons – Maple Sugaring
Buckley Homestead March 3 & 4 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Free
“Maple Sugar Moon” Long ago maple syrup dripped, thick from the trees. All year round, you just had to break a twig and lie down beneath the tree with open mouth. But the people got lazy and when Our Creator, Git-chee Ma-ni-tau, sent his helper, Man-a-bo-zho, to visit, he found their village deserted and all the people asleep under the maple trees. So he poured much water into all the maples so that now the people would have to wake up, make fires and boil down the sap to make syrup. They would have to work hard, for that maple sap would flow just this one time of the year, the time we now call Maple Sugar Moon (from Thirteen Moons on Turtle’s Back).
Watch the Indians at Buckley Homestead boil that sap down to maple sugar on the first weekend in March. The Indian camp is located just southeast of the pioneer farm. Follow the path behind the loghouse. Dress warmly for this outdoor program.
The following two weekends will continue the Maple Sugar Moon times at Deep River County Park with their annual Maple Syrup Time.
Native Americans Celebrate the Seasons – Budding Moon
Buckley Homestead 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Free weekends through August
“Budding Moon” One year Old Man Winter refused to leave our land, and so our people asked for help from our great friend, Ju-ske-ha, known to some as the Sun. He knocked on the door of Winter’s lodge then entered and sat by Winter’s cold fire. “Leave here or you will freeze,” Winter said, but Ju-ske-ha breathed and Winter grew smaller. Ju-ske-ha waved his hand and a white owl flew down to carry Winter back to the deep snow of the north. The lodge melted away and the trees turned green with new buds as the birds began to sing. And where the cold fire of winter had been was a circle of white May flowers. So it happens each spring when the Budding Moon comes. All the animals wake and we follow them across our wide beautiful land (from Thirteen Moons on Turtle’s Back).
To visit the Woodland Indian Camp, follow the trail from the parking lot on Hendricks Road past the animals at the 1910’s farm, to the Indian Camp where Native American reenactors bring the winter camp alive. See the wild berry patch growing, feel the bark of the wigwam poles, and smell the smoke from the cooking fire.
When you get to the Pioneer Farm, follow the path southeast of the loghouse. The camp depicts the Woodland Indian lifestyle in Lake County before the white man settled here. Belshaw Road, which runs through the park, was an old Indian trail; and was near the northern edge of the Great Kankakee Marsh before it was drained in the early 1900’s. The Indian Camp is on the northern edge of that Marsh.
Camp will also be open May 26 & 27 • June 23 & 24 • July 14 & 15 • Aug 18 & 19 • Sept 22 & 23 • Oct 13 & 14
Buckley admission or special event fees are charged on some of these weekends
To read letters from early travelers click here Woodland Indian Camp at Buckley - letters from history
"I went to the village, where I bought a little Indian corn and a piece of venison; and then Godefroi and I rode on till it was dark, in hopes of reaching Detroit the next day; and finding water, made a fire near it, and passed the night there, having left our fellow-travelers to sleep with the (Potawatamis) . . ." Journal of Captain Thomas Morris, 1764
Captain Morris would have done well had he visited the Woodland Camp at the Buckley Homestead; corn and venison are plentiful, and a warm fire always greets travelers at the 18th century Native village. Visitors will always find many aspects of daily life being interpreted on those weekends that the village is occupied, but additional themes will be emphasized on certain dates: Visit www.GreatLakesWoodlandAlliance.tk and www.Theatiki.tk
For reservations and more information about the Lake County Parks Call 219-769-PARK
Mon-Fri 8:30am to 4:30pm Central Time (Chicago Time)
Lake County Parks and Recreation Department Corporate Office
8411 East Lincoln Highway, Crown Point, Indiana 46307
Just west of Deep River WaterparK 4.5 miles east of I-65 on Route 30