Among the world-renowned treasures found at The Mariners’ Museum and Park is the Edwin Tappan Adney Canoe Model Collection. Explore what can be learned about Native American history, heritage, and culture through the stories these boats tell. Edwin Tappan Adney (1868-1950) was an American-Canadian artist, writer, and photographer. His obsession was the history, use, and construction of the bark canoe.

The Museum acquired his collection in 1940 — more than 120 models representing 30 different Native Peoples located from Alaska to Eastern Canada and New England. Each tribe’s canoes reflect its customs, the body of water, the purpose of the canoe, and the materials at hand. Share in the Museum’s celebration of Native American Heritage, and get an inside look from our Interpretation staff of their favorite canoe models.