Wigwam Escape at the Institute for American Indian Studies

Wigwam Escape Room is operated within the Education Department of the Institute of American Indian Studies. The museum’s mission is to “preserve and educate through discovery and creativity the diverse traditions, vitality and knowledge of Native American cultures”. Wigwam Escape is an extension of this mission. Inside the escape room, the game explores how people interacted with their environment 500 years ago. All the puzzles are based on tasks or responsibilities Indigenous peoples living in the Eastern Woodlands would have had in their day-to-day lives. The goal is to educate the public about pre-contact Native peoples through an interactive, stimulating, and immersive experience.

Designed for larger groups and alternative learning styles, Wigwam Escape’s Hybrid program encompasses the escape room, a lesson in traditional skills, and a museum tour – all in one program! This hands-on, 3-4.5 hour program is set for 3-21 players & explores concepts such as… Environmental Resource Management How did people use resources around them in their day-to-day lives? Home & Village Life In this area of the Northeastern Woodlands, what style homes did people live in? What skills were important to daily life? Food & Medicine How did people hunt? What did people garden? How did people utilize medicinal plants?