A Living Connection to Indigenous History and Culture

The Pithouse at the Methow Valley Interpretive Center, located on the TwispWorks campus, is a traditional Native American earth lodge built to honor and preserve the history and cultural heritage of the Methow people. Completed in 2014, the structure was constructed by students from the Paschal Sherman Indian School, guided by educators and local community members, including Bruce Morrison, Rob Crandall, and Eric Wittenbach.

Designed using historical research and oral traditions, the Pithouse was built with locally sourced materials such as Ponderosa Pine poles and Cottonwood bark, adhering to traditional methods like orienting the entrance to the east. The project served as both an educational experience and a cultural connection for the students involved, reinforcing the significance of Indigenous building practices and their relationship to the land.

The Pithouse was dedicated in a blessing ceremony that included drumming, singing, and the presence of Methow tribal elder Spencer Martin. It continues to serve as an educational resource at the Interpretive Center, providing visitors with insight into the ancestral ways of life in the Methow Valley.

Read more about its construction here.