CARLA
MESSINGER
Program Presenter
Cultural Educator
Consultant
Author
Substitute teacher in Lehigh, Berks, Carbon, and Northampton Counties (1971-1982)
Founder & Executive Director of the Lenni Lenape Historical Society and Museum of Indian Culture (1978-2002).
While under her fulltime volunteer leadership the Lenni Lenape
Historical Society / Museum of Indian Culture evolved into an
all-volunteer organization described in a 2000 assessment funded by the
Pennsylvania Council on the Arts as "a remarkable institution" that
"offers rich and diverse programs, a host of activities, and resources
for learning that reflect the best tradition of museum educational
efforts." During her tenure as the sole administrator and primary
educator at the Museum, she developed…
Regionally-unique
educational and cultural programs, exhibits, and
events attended by 185,000 visitors.
High-impact
hands-on, interactive educational experiences that helped over 32,000
school children meet PA Academic Standards for History and
Arts/Humanities.
A Speakers' Bureau
presenting 150-175 offsite programs and/or exhibits annually at schools,
libraries, other organizations, and at well-attended public events.
The Native Treasures
outreach program featuring a series of traveling learning boxes that
take Native American technology and the history, lifeways, arts and
crafts, games, dolls, etc. of various Native American groups into
schools.
The most comprehensive Native American-centered library / resource center in PA.
Founder / Director of Native American Heritage Programs (2002-ongoing)
As a descendant of the Lenape (Delaware) Indians, who were the first inhabitants of eastern Pennsylvania, western New Jersey, and part of New York, she wished to present a true picture of early American Indian life, refuting stereotypes and developing an understanding of the Lenape peaceful, nature-centered lifestyle that could be of value to our competitive, ecologically-troubled modern society. The mission is "to present, preserve, and perpetuate the history, lifeways, culture, and contributions of the Lenape and other Native American groups," and as Director of Native American Heritage Programs she continues that commitment today.
Speaker for Pennsylvania Humanities Council
“Commonwealth Speakers Bureau”, (2004-2005)
Author of the children’s book When the Shad Bush Blooms (Fall 2007).
Bark basket full of shadberries from Judy Dow, Abanaki basket maker.
Allan
Messinger
Historian
Program Presenter
A highly knowledgeable docent, Allan, "Mr. History," is a veteran educator with 32 years experience as a History / Foreign Language and English teacher in the Allentown School District. He pioneered the Gifted Elementary Program and taught German to 4th Grade Gifted students for 20 years.
Al Zagofsky/Times News -
Carla Messinger shows the detail work on a Lenape moccasin to Environmental Education Program Coordinator Carissa Reilly Longo while her husband and assistant, Allan, looks on. By AL ZAGOFSKY Times News 8/11/05