Dancers from Cape Girardeau perform Saturday at the Native American Day at the Matildaand Karl Pfeiffer Museum and Study Center in Piggott. The dancers are shown "dancing in" the flag as they conducted a series of dances that had a patriotic theme and included a salute to veterans. (Times photo/Tim Blair) [Click to enlarge]

A record crowd gathered at the Matilda and Karl Pfeiffer Museum and Study Center on Saturday, Sept. 13, as the museum hosted the fifth annual Native American Day.

Museum officials estimated the crowd at well over 400, an excellent increase from the 300-plus that attended last year's event.

The museum and study center, which boasts an extensive collection of Native American artifacts, holds the event each year to educate the public and to create an interest in the history and culture of the people who occupied this region hundreds of years ago.

The event is offered free of charge to all who wish to attend, and the museum treated those in attendance to free hot dogs and soft drinks.

Among the attractions this year was R. W. "Dub" Lyerly, from Ash Flat, an amateur archeologist who was on hand to identify artifacts and answer questions. Lyerly stayed busy throughout the afternoon as a steady stream of visitors brought a variety of items for him to identify or appraise. Lyerly also displayed several of the artifacts from the museum collection, which had been donated to the museum by the late Laws Cargill.

Also on hand were two "knappers" who spent the afternoon crafting artifacts using the ancient method of "flintknapping." The knappers drew a large crowd of interested visitors, as they used a variety of tools to fashion arrowheads and other items from scratch.

Making a return visit this year were the Boy Scouts from Venture Crew #248 in the Cape Girardeau area. The scouts set up an authentic Indian village on the museum grounds and performed Native American dance in full costume. The group from Missouri has performed the past several years at the event and drew a large crowd of interested spectators. They were also joined by members of the crowd for special dances as they concluded their presentation.

Jerri Tate, art instructor at PHS, also returned this year and once again allowed young people the chance to make a primitive "pinch pot". Tate estimated that nearly 100 of the pots were made during the course of the day, as many of the kids in attendance had a chance to take home a handmade souvenir.

As this year's Native American Day drew to a close, the museum's trustees were already looking forward to next year's event.

The Matilda and Karl Pfeiffer Museum and Study Center is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays. Groups of 10 or more may tour the facility by appointment only. The museum is closed on all major holidays, or when Piggott Schools are closed due to inclement weather. Admission to the facility is free, though donations are accepted. Those wanting more information may call 870-598-3228 or persons can visit the website at www.pfeifferfoundation.com