He was the Chief, George Major Cook (Wahansacook), (1885-1930) leader of his people, keeper of their past. For 35 years, he spoke for his people's rights. He spoke so eloquently that he moved many to tears, while others asked the source of his college education. There had been no college, indeed, as his son tells it many years later: "He educated himself by reading; he never saw the inside of a high school." He was said to be quiet and thoughtful by nature; but the spirit that moved him to speak for his people showed through the many lectures during his reign (reportedly as many as 12 to 15 a year) and made him one of the more public and notable of Virginia's Indian chiefs.

      As he fought for his people's future, he collected the remnants of their past. Perhaps instinctively, he recognized that the past of a people such as this was an integral part of their future, and he collected the articles of their history, the tangible pieces that told the story of their culture and existence long before what their oral stories could recall. Again from his son: "When people found things, they just brought them to him. He seemed to be the only one interested in them back then."

      His interest generated a collection that he displayed within his own home. His own people came to see it. The White Man came, curious now about the history of the people who had welcomed them to these shores in generations past. He took them into his house and told them about the history of his tribe. He shared with them what he read and heard and collected as freely as his ancestors had shared with them their land. He seemed pleased that they took this knowledge with them when they left. The collection remained there until he died.

      Then the son, Tecumseh Deerfoot Cook, took the collection to his own home. Leading his people in his own time, the son carried on as his father had in preserving the past, quietly keeping and adding to the heritage his father had left behind.

      The grandson, George Warren Cook, recognized that keeping the history was not enough. Over the years, the people had lost touch with it. The history had to be shared, not only with his people, but with all those who wished to know of his people and their history and tradition. His grandfather's collection would serve as a foundation.

      Thus began the seeds that germinated into the Pamunkey Indian Museum. Built to resemble the houses of the ancient Pamunkey, the museum now houses their story. Set within the quiet confines of the reservation, the museum is the only documented history of a tribe that has existed on its present homeland since the Ice Ages and played a significant leadership role in the activities of Virginia's Native American population throughout history.

      To walk through the museum is to walk through time. Beginning with the Ice Age, you are made familiar with "The People" (what they looked like, their ornaments, and their personal existence): "Their Natural Environment" (the land they inhabited, and how it looked); "Their Settlement" (the dwelling places of the people); and "Their Subsistence" (the tools they used and how they survived). These four themes reappear in each of the archeological time frames shown until you reach the present. The four themes are color-coded blue, green, yellow and red respectively to assist you in following them as you move from case to case.

      Some visitors find a trip through a museum dissatisfying because it is impossible to envision the lives of the people being represented merely by looking at a display case full of artifacts that may or may not be recognizable; the Pamunkey Indian Museum is a refreshing change. Several new concepts were used in developing the displays that make it possible for the viewer to see and relate to the Pamunkey people throughout time. Artifacts and replicas have been combined to give an authentic view of the lifestyle of the tribe; and concise, descriptive narrative supports each display. Interwoven through these explanations of replicas and artifacts are quotes from early visitors about the life of the Native American at that time. In summary, the people and their way of life are featured by showing how tools and art forms worked into their existence.

      No matter how long the visit to the museum, whether for a day or an hour, there will be many things to learn. The museum is an educational experience so broad in scope as to appeal to the casual observer; yet it still maintains a wealth of information for those who wish to take the time to review the displays in depth. In addition, a ten minute video presentation gives a capsulized history of the tribe.

      Of course, an effort such as this does not spring forth of its own volition. Mr Warren Cook and Mr. Errett Callahan, Anthropologist and Experimental Archeologist, were major forces behind the museum's creation. In addition to his extensive research and design work, Errett was responsible for the production of the museum's replicas and contributed significantly to the collection of artifacts. Other sources for the museum collection include Wahansacook and other tribal members, tribal collections, local collections, the Virginia Research Center of Archeology, archaeologists, and the Pamunkey Research Center. Without the support of Mr. Callahan and these individuals and organizations, the museum would not exist today.

      The museum stands and represents the caring and support of three generations of Cook men. It is most assuredly a gift of knowledge and love to all who choose to visit it.

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