The Institute For American Indian Studies

The Institute for American Indian Studies (IAIS) - formerly the American Indian Archaeological Institute (AIAI) - was incorporated in 1975 as an outgrowth of local efforts to recover New England's then-largely-unknown indigenous history. IAIS is a 501(c)3 museum and research center founded by Edmund "Ned" Swigart and Sidney Hesse. IAIS is a place to hear the voices of American Indians. IAIS is a museum and education and research center featuring exciting exhibits focusing on American Indian culture both past and present in Connecticut and all across America; Workshops; lectures; education programs; summer camps; gift shop and much more. Our focus is the Algonkian speaking peoples who make up the region's many native groups, but IAIS programs and exhibits also involve other Native American groups from across the continent.