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Mr. Kilmer, Mr. Thompson and Ms. Nichols have done exemplary work developing a local history curriculum in the Du Bois area. I'm doing research on the history of M.I. McCreight and The Wigwam. I hope that we can develop an M.I. McCreight power point presentation for our local history curriculum. I would appreciate information by PM on how I might contact these folks. Thanks.

Fans of M.I. McCreight will enjoy reading an article about his famous collection of Native American artifacts that were once at The Wigwam. The article is titled,

Thanks folks. I was proud to learn that the Du Bois Area School District has a rich curriculum in history, beginning in the 7th grade through advanced placement courses in high school. The curriculum includes: 7th Grade-World History: Beginnings to the Renaissance 8th Grade- U.S. and PA History and Geography: Beginnings to the Civil War 9th Grade-U.S. History: Reconstruction to the Beginning of WWII 11th Grade-Modern U.S. History: WWII to Present Local History AP U.S. History AP U.S. History/Civil War AP European History You might want to examine the curriculum at http://www.dasd.k12.pa.us/57573629533/blank/browse.asp?A=383&BMDRN=2000&BCOB=0&C=51374

Do you know whether history is taught in elementary, middle or senior schools? And whether its world, U.S., state and local? Thanks.

Are history courses part of the educational curricula for students in Du Bois Area Schools, or have they been eliminated? Any information would be most appreciated. Thank you.

M.I. McCreight (1865-1958 ), and his wife, Alice B. McCreight (1867-1965) are buried in Morningside Cemetery. Also buried at the McCreight site is Alice J. McCreight (1920-1977), Marian B. McCreight (1989-1977), Rembrandt P. McCreight (1909-1937), Jack McCreight (1896-1984), Martha L. Swisher McCreight (1900-1999) and Floyd G. Swisher (1898-1971). A map of the location is attached.

The Wigwam Fireplace, (1941 and 2010)

At The Wigwam

Chief Iron Tail, Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show, Du Bois, PA, June 22, 1908. Photograph taken by M.I. McCreight. McCreight has written on the front: "Iron Tail---1908 Head is on Nickel" McCreight has written on verso: "Chief Iron Tail--Iron Tail's head on the Buffalo nickel--(this photo by myself about 1908 M I Mc"

Wigwam Guests--Chief Flying Hawk, Rembrandt McCreight, M.I. McCreight, Jr. (Tonk), and Thunderbull, the interpreter for Chief Flying Hawk. Young girls and date of photo are unknown.

The M.I. McCreight Home remains at 42 East Long Avenue. The magnificent large wrap around porch is missing. Apparently, 42 East Long Avenue is now rental property and a different street number appears on the mail box. The fireplace photos were recently taken at Wigwam, Mr. McCreight's Summer Home in Sandy Township. Wigwam is going to need a lot of work for restoration.

The Wigwam, Sandy Township, Clearfield County, PA--M.I. McCreight's Fireplace

Comparison photos of the historic Wigwam and M.I. McCreight Home at 42 East Long Avenue in Du Bois.

"The Wigwam"--Home of Major Israel McCreight---According to the Clearfield Co. PA. Comprehensive Plan: History, Resource and Preservation Plan (2006), "The Wigwam", home of the colorful M.I.McCreight, is at risk and in need of preservation. The "Wigwam" is located on a high knoll in Sandy Township at the crossroads of an old Native American trail. M.I. McCreight's Native American History and Artifacts Collection are National Treasures. The "Wigwam" deserves preservation. Restoring "Wigwam" as a PA Wilds Native American History and Education Center would be a wonderful asset for residents and visitors.

M.I. McCreight Wigwam Collection Photo of the Arnold M. Chernoff Display of Native Americans taken in 1968. In a radio interview recorded in 1948, Mr. McCreight then 83, described how he acquired many of the prominent items in his collection. He kept these artifacts secured at Wigwam until his death in 1958, after which his widow Alice B. McCreight (nee Humphrey) disposed of a sizable portion to Messrs. Bernie Braverman, a noted dealer in antique arms, and Ted Cole, a frontier trapper and personal friend of Mr. McCreight. The collection was considered to be the best documented Native American collection at the time. Mr. Braverman sold a substantial portion of the collection to Arnold Chernoff, a firearms dealer and Indian artifact collector in 1959, and a second commensurate portion which Mr. Braverman had acquired from the widow of Ted Cole to Mr. Chernoff in 1968. After his 1968 purchase, Mr. Chernoff displayed both halfs of the collection on numerous occasions in his traveling exhibits. Mr. Chernoff dispersed a large portion of the McCreight collection to museums and private collectors in the 70's and 80's.

Tonk McCreight and Chief Iron Tail in 1911 or 1912.

"Wigwam" This is a photo of the interior of Wigwam showing some of M.I. McCreight's famous Native American collection.

"Buffalo Bill in Du Bois" M.I.McCreight's 1908 Rambler, showing Buffalo Bill, Chief Iron Tail, Driver Don McCreight, Monroe McCanles standing, and young boy Jack or Jim McCreight. Monroe McCanles was explaining to Buffalo Bill how Wild Bill Hickok (Duck Bill) had murdered his father Dave McCanles in 1861. This photo was taken in the afternoon of June 22, 1908, in front of the McCreight Home, 42 East Long Avenue in Du Bois, PA, shortly after McCreight had been adopted into the Sioux Tribe.

April 2010 Wigwam, The Summer Home of M.I. McCreight, Sandy Township, Clearfield Co., PA

Here's today's Spring photos of the Highland Street (a/k/a Cottage Hill) Tunnel. The Tunnel is accessed from Third Street (off Maple Avenue) before you ascend Hillcrest Drive, and on the right. Notice the two overhead Buffalo & Susquehanna rail bridges on Chestnut and Maple leading to and from the Tunnel. The owner of the corner lot has beautifully tended to the entrance area and the rail trail is obscured by brush. Once you've "carefully and respectfully" maneuvered to the brush, the rail trail suddenly appears. The rails have been removed, but many of the old ties remain. As you will see, trash has been piled on both the Sandy Township and Du Bois sides. The year "1903" appears above the Sandy portal. The inside of the Tunnel is surprisingly dry. I took a picture of the legendary "scary door."

Major Israel McCreight with his son and friends. Mr. McCreight was known for his great relationship with Native Americans. In the mid-1880's he spent time in the West where he made many lifelong connections. Many of his Native American friends visited his Sandy Township home, "Wigwam." Joe Bluehorse, a world champion rider, lived for three years in a tepee at the Wigwam Estate.

Has anyone ever met Mr. M.I. McCreight? Any recollections?

Wigwam deserves preservation and an Historic Marker. If Wigwam could be acquired by a non-profit organization, and the structure and grounds preserved and rehabilitated, does the McCreight Family own or have access to historic materials to display for visitors. Materials could be loaned to build an archive and collection, maybe run programs.

Crazycat, Thank you. Here is the link to M.I. McCreight information by his grandson Robert A. Stumpf http://manycoups.net/index.html

"Wigwam" is a PA historical site at risk and in need of preservation. It would be great benefit to our community if the current owners, the McCreight Family and others interested in local heritage and history would begin a discussion for a preservation plan. See more about Major Israel McCreight at http://manycoups.net/BuffaloBillAsIKnewHim_page1.html. Let's preserve the legacy.