ImagiNations Activity Center at the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian

What do suspension bridges, rubber, and chocolate have in common? Their early histories all go back to the Native people of North and South America. At the ImagiNations Activity Center, visitors can learn about these innovations and many others. The center is part of the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian. Visitors can sit inside a full-sized Comanche tepee or learn how to build an igloo. They can also explore methods of transportation that were pioneered by Native people, such as snowshoes and skateboards. “This space is a great place to come and be introduced to Native culture,” says Adrienne L. Smith. She’s the center’s manager, and a member of the Muscogee (Creek) and Cherokee Nations of Oklahoma. Smith says visitors can learn about the past, “but also look at how we’re continuing our culture today.” —Karena Phan