The Structure

Mr. Vandersloot had an idea….what better way of preserving his collection of artifacts than to construct a building that would “contain” it-in the fullest sense-by imbedding it in the walls?

In 1908, construction began of the living room and fireplace. Later came the dining room, or council room, some time after the second and third floors and the tower. Construction was complete in 1912.

The museum itself is 60 ft. X 60 ft. wide and 21/2 stories high with massive chestnut timbers and very large stones walls. Especially impressive are the over 10,000 Indian relics embedded in the outside walls, walkways and indoor floors and other parts of this great building. A one of a kind building in all the world! Relics are arranged in various designs such as birds, animals, snakes, Indian figures and the like. By this time Mr. Vandersloot had studied Indian lore extensively, and he took most of his designs directly from reproductions of Indian drawings he found in his books.

Prior to entering the Museum, notice that, standing at each side of the front door are stone pillars carved in the semblance of Indians on their trek northward.  On one side is a male with his dog, bow and arrow and tomahawk. Opposite is a female with her infant child and dog.  What is seen is a total of the earthly possessions of a family in a time much earlier than now.  All eyes in these carved stones seem to be desperately seeking safer times and places.  The words in the lintel over the front door encourages the remembrance of ancient people and their way of living.

The Kiva Room

The most impressive room in the museum is called a Kiva. It is a reproduction of a chamber generally used by the Hopi Indians for secret religious assemblies and lounging. Kivas are characteristic of old Pueblo Indian cliff dwelling settlements found in Arizona and New Mexico. In this Kiva chamber is a magnificant Ohio blue sandstone table weighing 2 1/2 tons. Benches underneath are made from local walnut trees.

Touch and feel some of the massive stones used to build the Kiva and other parts of the Museum building.  Some of these stones came from the remains of the Susquehanna-Tidewater Canal which once passed across Indian Steps from 1836 to 1895.  This canal stretched 45 miles from Wrightsville to Havre De Grace and featured 28 lift locks.
Susquehannock Indians

Travel up a winding stone stair up to the second floor of the Museum. Here you'll find a central gallery dedicated to tracing the evolution of early Indians who lived by or passed along the nearby Susquehanna River.  Exhibits also show how the first human beings came to North America and how they eventually spread to the area we now call the Susquehanna Valley.  Hunting tools used by early people to hunt for food for their families are explained in detail.  Shards or parts of ancient pottery are also on display.

Parts of this gallery describe the work of archeologists, especially those who study early Indian cultures.  

On the second floor of the Museum can also be found actual regalia or clothing worn by Native Americans.  In addition, there are numerous displays of artifacts found locally, along the shore and the fields which border the Susquehanna River.  Baskets and other forms of Indian handiwork are displayed in full view.

Download a short history of the Susquehannocks from the 1936 booklet by Donald A. Cadzow (originally published by the Pennsylvania Historical Commission, Harrisburg):
WPA Models and Dioramas

On May 6, 1935, U.S. President Franklin Roosevelt signed official
documents creating the Works Progress Administration (WPA), designed basically to employ those who lost their jobs due to the Great Depression.

Part of the WPA, the Museum Extension Project, employed individuals to make and distribute free visual education materials to public schools, institutions and buildings open to the public. Indian Steps Museum has in its exhibits dioramas made specifically for this purpose.

The greatest majority of the scenes in the Indian Steps Museum collection deal with early Native American scenes. It is one of the largest collections of its kind in the country.
Holtwood Dam and Hydroelectric Facility (Permanent Exhibit)

This permament and thoroughly researched display examines the Holtwood Dam, which is the oldest of three major dams built across the lower Susquehanna River. Constructed as the McCalls Ferry Dam between 1905 and 1910 by the Pennsylvania Water & Power Company. The dam was renamed Holtwood in honor of two company executives.

In January 1996 the fish lift and dam were damaged by a severe flood. The fish lift was completed in time for the 1997 season and began lifting american shad and other migratory fish species.

The Kingsbury thrust bearing of Holtwood's Generator No. 5 is designated an International Historic Mechanical Engineering Landmark.

Susquehanna and Tidewater Canals (Permanent Exhibit)

The Susquehanna and Tidewater Canal was once part of a viable shipping route between Baltimore and Philadelphia. Begun in 1839, by 1900 the canal was a relic.

View the various period photographs and detailed maps and diagrams about a canal system which influenced the entire valley's economic and cultural future.
The Vandersloot Room

On this floor is a room specially dedicated to John Edward Vandersloot whose avocation was collecting early artifacts on the land presently known as Indian Steps. The “Judge”, as he was respectfully called, started building his cabin in 1908 and finished in 1912. 

Besides being a very creative builder, Mr. Vandersloot can be credited with being a forerunner in the preservation of the memory of Indians, for many years to come. In 1912, he made this quite evident in a statement found above the entrance of his summer home accordingly:  “I entreat all who pass this way to safely guard and preserve these former possessions of and monuments to an ancient Indian people.” Records show that Mr. Vandersloot was an adoptive member of several Indian tribes.
Other Indian references

Also on the second floor, learn about other Indian cultures including North American tribes, Early/Middle and Late Wood tribes, Paleo/Archaic and Transition tribes and additional artifacts found on the premises.

Understand, that lacking a written language, early Indians used pictography or hieroglyphics as a means of expression. On large rocks in the Susquehanna River can be found examples of Indian picture writing. 

Plaster of paris replicas of these rocks are in special cabinets on the second floor of the Museum.

Stained Glass Art and Stone Carvings

Enjoy the stained glass windows carefully crafted by J. Horace Rudy.

On other windows, you can view Jesse Cornplanter's beautifully painted windows demonstrating various aspects of Native American life.

T. J. Carroll carved the Indian figures positioned on either side of the front door of the building.
The Tower Room

As one passes the third floor landing, another set of wooden steps lead to a Victorian Mansion-like tower surrounded with windows through which one can view a sweeping panorama of the Indian Steps grounds in all its natural glory.