Place

Native American Room

The American Indian Room can be accessed from the courtyard, the Chapel or Room 16. This audio description is from the courtyard entrance.  Double wooden doors open into the room. Above and flanking the door are windows with iron bars and wooden shutters that also open inwards.  The room is about 20 feet wide and 30 feet long, with an arched ceiling about 17feet high.  An entrance to the Chapel is on the west wall. The entrance to Room 16 is on the east wall.  Moving from left to right from the entrance, the exhibits, in English and Spanish, include:  Osceola. 1804 – 1838. The text explains that Osceola resisted the United States’ policy of forced American Indian removal. He urged Florida Seminoles to fight for their lands. Over his black hair, he wears a burgundy turban, with a large gray feather at the back. He has an angular face. He has a black piece of cloth loosely tied around his neck. Over a long blue patterned shirt, he wears a wide pink scarf with a flower print. He wears an open blue jacket with silver cuffs and ribbons tied at the wrists. Around his waist is a multicolored woven belt. He wears several beaded necklaces, and one with three large silver crescent shaped medallions. He has bag strapped across his chest. His legs are covered with red socks with wide beaded bands, tied at the calves. He holds the barrel of a musket in his hand.  Kiowa Sun Dance Exhibit. A vertical glass panel protects a diagram of circles with arrows, carved into the wall by the Kiowa Indians. Text describes symbolism connected to the Kiowa sun dance.  Captain Richard Henry Pratt. 1875 – 1878. Text explains that Captain Pratt was assigned to guard the 74 American Indians prisoners at the Castillo and created a program of assimilation for them. An illustration shows him with short brown hair with a large, straight nose, pointy mustache, and goatee (a beard only on the tip of his chin). He wears a blue uniform with gold trim, epaulets, and belt. His pants have a yellow stripe down the outer side. In one hand, he holds an ornate helmet with gold trim and cascade of golden fluffy material at the top. The other hand rests at his side, on the hilt of his sword.  A Coquina Canvas Exhibit. A vertical glass panel protects an outline of an Apache Fire Spirit carved into the wall. Text and photos explain symbolism.  United States Takes Over Exhibit. An illustration shows Spanish and American soldiers. A photo shows captured American Indians. The text explains that in the 1800s, Indian wars in both Florida and the west saw the U.S. government locking up American Indian prisoners here.

Quick Facts

Historical/Interpretive Information/Exhibits, Wheelchair Accessible

Several different and widely varying Indian cultures have left their mark on Florida history, some indigenous, some displaced, and some forcibly moved to the area. Each has a unique and fascinating story to tell.
 

Castillo de San Marcos National Monument

Tags

Last updated: May 2, 2021