Preserving Heritage, Promoting Cultural Understanding
The Thunder Mountain Lenapé Nation Native American Cultural Center on Federal lands at the Conemaugh Dam near Saltsburg, PA became inaccessible following the events of Sept. 11, 2001. All Federal dams across the United States were closed for some time afterward. Programs normally held at our Center could not be presented.
When the dam reopened on restricted hours our festival was just months away. We couldn’t be sure the facility would remain open during our event. We realized we needed land of our own for our annual festival, cultural center/museum, living history village, educational programs and other activities. A local family offered us use of their property in Nowrytown for our 4th Annual Native American Festival & Pow-wow. As they came to understand our mission and vision they decided to help us actualize it.
Thunder Mountain Lenapé Nation is in the process of purchasing the property, protecting this valuable environmental resource along the Kiskiminitas river. We believe our growing vision will have a positive social and economic impact on Southwestern Pennsylvania as we partner with other organizations and agencies to present a variety of exciting heritage and environmentally based education and recreation opportunities.
