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Introduction
| The primary mission of the Research Department, which includes Archaeology, Collections Management, Curation, Conservation and Historical Research is to research and preserve the history and cultural heritage of the Mashantucket Pequot Tribe through a multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural perspective that incorporates oral history, archaeology, material culture and written records. The Research Department provides materials and expertise to assist Mashantucket Pequot Tribal members, other Native tribes, professionals and the general public to obtain information that will increase awareness and understanding of Native peoples throughout the northeastern United States. The department comprises five research divisions:
Historical Research
The Historical Research staff is responsible for collecting, synthesizing, and interpreting historical documents, archaeological data, and oral histories as they relate to the Mashantucket Pequot Tribe and other Native American communities in southern New England. The historical documents include Pequot Overseers papers, Connecticut Indian Papers, Federal Census records, historic maps, vital statistics, land records, and probate records. Collectively, this information allows tribal researchers to better understand and reconstruct historic Pequot communities and their interactions with other tribes and neighboring European American and African American communities in the region.
Archaeology
The purpose of the Archaeology Department is to identify, document and preserve places of cultural, spiritual and historical significance to the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation. This is accomplished through oral histories, historical research, archaeological surveys and excavations, laboratory analysis and conservation of archaeological materials. The Archaeology Division also conducts research on Northeastern prehistory and the history of Native peoples, African-Americans and Euro-Americans and presents results to both local, regional and national audiences through publications, lectures, conferences and educational programs.
Conservation
The Conservation Department oversees the preservation and treatment of museum artifact collections. Preservation issues such as temperature and humidity, amounts of light, safe supports and mounts for artifacts and damage from harmful insects, are addressed for artifacts on permanent display, traveling exhibits and objects in storage. The Conservation Department performs treatments on cultural materials when required for stable preservation or exhibit and treats all historic cultural material excavated by the Archaeology Division. The division also has the capability to analyze a wide range of objects and materials using high-powered microscopes and an x-ray facility to learn how and of what an artifact is made in preparation for active treatment, as well as to advance our understanding of material culture and its relation to cultural history.
Curation
The Curation Department is responsible for the identification, research, and interpretation of the Native American Collections. This includes ethnographic and historic archaeological materials from the reservation as well as the greater Northeast region. The Curation Department is also responsible for, the research, design, and layout of both in house and traveling exhibitions in the Museum and Research Center’s galleries. This work is presented to the public though exhibits, publications and educational programs.
Collections Management
The purpose of the Collections Manager/Registrar is to oversee the care, handling and inventory of all ethnographic, contemporary and some archaeological objects within the collection. There are three main areas: responsibility for the condition, reporting, crating, shipping, and movement of objects inside and outside of the museum environment; responsibility for the inventory of the collection as well as the incoming and outgoing loan process between other institutions; and providing assistance to various departments within the museum.
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