Beaded vest in ‘Quills & Beads: Adornment that Adapts’ exhibit
The Mt. Kearsarge Indian Museum has opened for the 2026 season with expanded accessibility improvements and a full slate of programs highlighting Native American history, art, and culture.
Headlining the season is a new exhibit, Quills & Beads: Adornment that Adapts, curated by Sterling Gross. Tracing the evolution of Native American adornment—from traditional porcupine quillwork to the intricate beadwork that emerged following the introduction of European glass beads—the exhibit features rare pieces on public display for the first time.
“Our new exhibit invites visitors to look closely at the artistry, but also at the adaptation and resilience these pieces represent,” said Executive Director Andrew Bullock. “Quillwork and beadwork are living traditions, and we’re honored to share this collection with our community and with visitors traveling the Museum Trail this season.”
In addition to the new exhibit, the museum has completed several accessibility upgrades ahead of opening day. The Medicine Woods Trail—an outdoor walking path featuring plants traditionally used by Native peoples for food, medicine, and craft—is now fully accessible to wheelchairs and strollers. Renovations to on-site restrooms and pathways have also been completed to better serve visitors of all abilities.
The Mt. Kearsarge Indian Museum is open Monday through Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (guided tours at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.), and Sunday, 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. (guided tours at 1:30 p.m.) Click here for more information about the Mt. Kearsarge Indian Museum, its exhibits, and upcoming events.
Mt. Kearsarge Indian Museum is one of nearly two dozen museums on the NH Heritage Museum Trail, which features members in the Lakes Region, White Mountains, Dartmouth-Sunapee Region, Merrimack Valley, and Seacoast.