Sep 25, 2013 1 min read

This weekend, visitors to Meadowcroft Rockshelter and Historic Village in Avella will get a first-hand look at the everyday lives of 16th and 18th century American indians as part of the fifth annual American Indian Heritage Weekend.

The event features a variety of re-enactors who will demonstrate traditional skills and bring Meadowcroft’s 16th century Indian Village to life.

Special presentations in the new 1770s Frontier Indian cabin will spotlight the similarities and differences between the lives of American Indians and European settlers in the Upper Ohio Valley.

Re-enactors also will explain the prehistoric and colonial era skills used by the American indians, including hunting, fur trading, cooking, weaving, decorative porcupine quill work, hide tanning, tool-making and a creekside demonstration of native fishing techniques.

Meadowcroft’s visitors center will host an exhibit with works by local artist Andrew Knez Jr., who is known for frontier paintings that illustrate lives of American Indians.

 Admission is $12 for adults, $11 for senior citizens and $6 for children ages 6 to 17.

For more information, visit www.heinzhistorycenter.org or call 724-587-3412.