SJ Attractions: Rankokus Indian Reservation

The Powhatan Renape Nation is an American Indian Nation located at the Rankokus Indian Reservation in Westampton Township, Burlington County, New Jersey.

This community is recognized by the state of New Jersey as an American Indian Nation, as well as a non-profit entity. In addition to providing social services to the American Indian community in New Jersey, their goal is to educate the non-Indian community about their traditional ways, beliefs, traditions, and culture. The Reservation is a beautiful place to visit, kept free from development and strip malls. A visit to the Reservation is a trip to another world, including the American Indian Heritage Museum, an art gallery, and a replica ancestral woodland village. In addition, the Reservation also hosts a number of exciting special events throughout the year.

American Indian Heritage Museum
The American Indian Heritage Museum offers a unique, multifaceted look at American Indian culture. In addition to viewing contemporary American Indian artwork, visitors will learn about American Indian history, culture, and traditions. Guided tours are geared specifically to the age of the visitors. Knowledgeable American Indian staff provide detailed and fascinating explanations of the numerous exhibits, as well as information about American Indian history.

The museum has a wide variety of artifacts, from tools and musical instruments, to clothing, weapons, and decorative arts. Large dioramas throughout the museum depict the village life of many tribes.

The Powhatan Renape Nation’s American Indian Heritage Museum is the only Indian-owned and operated museum in New Jersey.

Art Gallery
Exquisite contemporary artwork by American Indian Artists fills the Art Gallery. The ever-changing display includes paintings, photography, sculpture, drawings, and woodcarvings.

Ancestral Village
As part of the tour, visitors will visit the outdoor recreation of a traditional woodland village, a replica of the way the American Indian ancestors lived. There are also self-guided nature trails and live buffalo right there on the Reservation!

Gift Shop
The gift shop offers an extensive line of reasonably priced merchandise, including books, blankets, jewelry, pottery, rugs, woodcarvings, arts, clothing, stationary, and souvenirs.

Museum Admission and Hours
$5 for Adults; $4 for Senior Citizens; and $3 for Children.

The museum is open Tuesdays and Thursdays by appointment, and Saturdays from 10am-3pm. No appointment is necessary on Saturday; however, please call during the week to confirm Saturday hours. Call (609) 261-4747 to make an appointment.

Upcoming Reservation Events

Powhatan Renape Nation Juried American Indian Arts Festival; Saturday, Sunday & Monday, October 11, 12, & 13. Festival hours are 11am till 6pm.

Providing visitors with continuous entertainment, is an exceptional line-up of guest performers: Returning to this year's Festival are the ever popular and amazing five Voladores (Totonaco), who will perform a spectacular ancient ceremony atop a 100' pole; traditional dances and music will be shared by the Allegheny River Indian Dancers (inter-tribal); and Mr. Bo Jim (Miccosukee), will demonstrate his traditional tribal art of alligator handling. The list goes on to include: cultural and historical education as demonstrated in our traditional campsite by Kenneth Hamilton (Ottowa/Cherokee); a gifted flute maker and performer, Danny Bigay (Cherokee) will join us from his home in the Smokey Mountains; brilliantly adorned and spellbinding performers, the Aztec Dancers and Musicians will dazzle audiences; Rankokus Eagle Dancers, composed of Powhatan Renape Nation youth will perform traditional woodland dances, and visitors will delight in watching birds of prey in flight as Master Falconer, Ray Pena provides fascinating insight into these majestic birds.

Traditional arts demonstrations and Wisdomkeeper sessions, provide Reservation guests an opportunity to learn, in intimate settings, specifics of tribal histories and traditional crafts. Representatives of the Powhatan, Iroquois, Oneida, Onondaga, Navajo, and Inca tribes will offer a look into their cultures and welcome audience questions.

For more information, visit the Powhatan Renape Nation’s website at www.powhatan.org.

For an extensive list of South Jersey Attractions, with links to websites and other information, check out our Attractions page.

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Author: R. Cohen