American life as it was imagined by mid-century America. That imagination was shaped by popular books, films, Wild West shows, and romantic notions of the “vanishing Indian.” Visitors arrived expecting to see chickee huts, dugout canoes, traditional clothing, crafts, music, and dance. For many tourists, this was their first close encounter with Indigenous culture, even if that encounter was filtered through performance and presentation.
One of the most striking aspects of the village was its physical layout. Structures were arranged to resemble a small community, often centered around open spaces where demonstrations and performances could take place. Chickees—open-sided shelters with thatched roofs—were a defining architectural feature. These structures were not inventions; they were traditional forms used by Seminole and Miccosukee peoples, well adapted to Florida’s climate. Their presence lent an air of authenticity, even as the village itself functioned primarily as an attraction.
Craft demonstrations played a central role in the visitor experience. Artisans showed how baskets were woven from palm fronds and grasses, how beadwork was assembled into intricate patterns, and how wood and bone could be shaped into tools and decorative items. These demonstrations connected visitors to Indigenous knowledge systems that emphasized patience, skill, and a close relationship with natural materials. For many spectators, watching these crafts being made by hand was a powerful contrast to the industrialized, mass-produced goods of modern life. shutdown123