May 2015 Web Final

Frisco Native American Museum
NATIVE AMERICANS “SNIFFED” SNUFF
Visitors to the Frisco Native American Museum & Natural History Center sometimes express surprise
at the snuff box exhibit. Although they generally recognize a connection between natives and tobacco,
visitors don’t always realize that the connection extends to snuff as well. Tobacco was important in native
cultures. Easily grown in temperate climates, tobacco was traditionally considered a gift from the Creator.
Used for hundreds of years in sacred ceremonies, natives believe that the smoke from tobacco can carry an
individual’s thoughts and prayers to the Creator.
Eastern North American tribes carried large amounts of tobacco in pouches as a readily accepted
trade item, and often smoked it in peace pipes or “snuffed” it as part of a special ceremony. Early explorers
discovered tobacco in the Americas, and by the 17th century it was popular in Europe, rolled or
crushed to be used as snuff. Containers for the powder soon developed as an art form.
American settlers brought many beautiful designs with them, and snuff boxes were crafted in a variety
of materials and styles. Native artists made the snuff boxes both for personal use and as trade items.
The museum’s Tobacco and Snuff Box exhibit features more than seventy boxes. Materials range
from silver and inlay to carved wood, bone, mache, and leather. Some of the work is quite intricate, and a
number of the boxes date back to the 17th century;
others are much more contemporary. All of the boxes
are little works of art and visitors are frequently amazed
at the creative use of natural materials and the beauty
of the designs.
The museum is open Tuesday through Sunday and is located on Hatteras island in Frisco. For more
information, visit the web site at www.nativeamericanmuseum.org or call 252-995-4440.
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