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Welcome to the Real Quivira exhibit in McPherson, Kansas

McPherson Museum & Arts Foundation, McPherson, KS

Welcome to the Real Quivira

Within the last 10-15 years, several significant archeaological discoveries in Kansas have provided new insight into Native American culture. Alongside Dr. Donald Blakeslee, an archaeologist and former professor with Wichita State University, and the McPherson Museum & Arts Foundation we designed and fabricated an exhibit giving visitors a glimpse into the life and culture of the Quivira people.

Visit this exhibit at the McPherson Museum & Arts Foundation!

A closer detail of the scientific instrument display case

Interactive Features

Custom-fabricated, interactive corn grinding station

Corn Grinding Station

We fabricated a custom activity station where visitors can use an actual grinding stone to grind corn, use an electronic scale to weigh the cornmeal and compare how much is needed to make a standard cornbread muffin. It's hard work, and visitors can experience this first hand.

Custom-fabricated children's activity table set.

Children's Activity Table

The middle of the exhibit features a set of custom activity tables with a central supply table. The tables are designed for younger museum-goers, but visitors of all ages can make miniature "leaf" tipis and a colorful parflesch out of paper and yarn.

Interactive touchscreen where visitors can see the the locations of Quiviran imports and exports.

Interactive Touchscreen Map

One of the major discoveries about the Quivira is evidence of trade with other Native American nations that spanned North America. We designed, programmed, and built a visual map where visitors can see where types of items were either exported or imported.

  • Exhibit Gallery

  • Ceramics and pottery display showing how the Quivira people designed and crafted their pots.
  • Throughout the exhibit there are small panels with questions relating to the text. You can use the attached clear, red 'revealer' to see the answer hiding in the red pattern.
  • Contributions and support for the exhibit are featured on a modular display with size and color-coded blocks.
  • The exhibit features three cases lining a wall of the exhibit. The cases feature a shelf for collectors to bring their own artifacts to match and classify spear and arrow points.
  • Bison were a large part of life in Quivira. The exhibit features a bison head and hide mounted to the wall.
  • Custom cases were designed and built to showcase the extensive collection of artifacts.

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