Printer Friendly Version - Quinnipiac Dawnland Museum Opens in Guilford at Historic Dudley Farm

Located on the grounds of the historic Dudley Farm Museum in Guilford, the Quinnipiac Dawnland Museum is now open and was the long-held dream of Dudley Farm member, the late Gordon ‘Fox Running’ Brainerd, shown here with some of his collection of hundreds of artifacts displayed in the loft of the Munger Barn at the Dudley Farm. Photo from dudleyfarm.com

The Dudley Farm Board of Directors is proud to announce the opening of the Quinnipiac Dawnland Museum. Located on the grounds of the historic Dudley Farm Museum in Guilford it was long the dream of Dudley Farm member Gordon “Fox Running” Brainerd who passed away in early 2021. The museum has been open to the public since the weekend of Sept. 9 and Sept. 10 and will be open each Saturday and Sunday until Sunday, Dec. 17.

A dedicated collector of Quinnipiac artifacts, Gordon established the Quinnipiac Dawnland Museum displaying his collection of hundreds of artifacts in the loft of the Munger Barn at the Dudley Farm in 2003.

The new Quinnipiac Dawnland Museum now displays a wide collection of stone projectile points and tools dating back as far as 12,000 years. Through the artifacts, each visitor can learn how Indigenous people were able to adapt to changes in the climate and their environment over thousands of years. Exhibits also uniquely portray the story of Indigenous and Quinnipiac lifeways and spiritual beliefs prior to the arrival of European colonists as well as the dramatic and catastrophic impact of that arrival. All the displays are enhanced by Indigenous voices past and present.

With the advice and guidance of Nehantic Elder David Brule, as well as the advice and artistic vision of Wampanoag artists Deborah Spears Moorehead, Robert Peters, and Robert Peters Jr.,the Indigenous culture of the Quinnipiac and Algonkian people of Southern New England has dramatically come to life. A haunting mural by Stony Creek artist Elizabeth Steele covers the two walls that detail the impact of the European arrival. It forms a stunning backdrop to the story of the Dutch, then the English presence during the 17th century and the subsequent devastating impact of colonization on the Quinnipiac and other people of Southern New England.

Thanks to a generous grant from the Summer Hill Foundation that made the building possible and one from Connecticut Humanities that gave the Dudley Farm the ability to contract two professional exhibit designers from Yale’s Peabody Museum, Laura Friedman and Sally Pallotto, what visitors will witness when they enter the museum is truly remarkable. Working with local contractors to create the building and the interior space, the Board of Directors thanked all involved in a traditional ceremony of gratitude on Sept. 3 prior to the official opening on Sept. 9.

The collaborative effort by all has created a dynamic museum with exhibits that truly illustrate the story of the Quinnipiac People, the First People of the Shoreline.

The Quinnipiac Dawnland Museum hours are 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Sundays through October; and 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays in November and December.

As special opening will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Oct. 9 and Nov. 24 for Indigenous Peoples Day.