ROCHESTER, NY—Learn about the rich history of lacrosse at Lacrosse: The Creator’s Game, a special exhibit by The Strong National Museum of Play, opening on Saturday, November 14. The exhibit was created in partnership with the Rochester Knighthawks and the Seneca-Iroquois National Museum, both of the Seneca Nation, along with Ansley Jemison (Seneca Nation, Wolf Clan) of Ganondagan.
“Native people gave us the gift of the Creator’s Game, which has long knitted communities together socially and spiritually,” says Michelle Parnett-Dwyer, chief curator at The Strong. “The display opening coincides with the national celebration of National Native American Heritage Month, and we’re thankful to our partners for sharing their stories with us and some unique artifacts to showcase.”
The display traces the history of lacrosse from a Native sport in which players controlled and passed balls with a wooden stick, to the establishment of rules by lacrosse enthusiast William George Beers in 1869, through to the modern era, where lacrosse is one of the fastest growing sports in the United States. The display also shares the history of prejudices built into the early rules and actions to exclude Native players in the 19th and early 20th centuries.
“Lacrosse is much more than a sport. It carries generations of history, tradition, and cultural significance for Indigenous communities. As an organization owned by the Seneca Nation, we take great pride in honoring the roots of the game and helping share its story,” said Knighthawks President and General Manager Dan Carey. “We’re grateful to The Strong Museum and our partners for creating an opportunity for people of all ages to learn about the game’s origins, its evolution, and the important role it continues to play in our communities.”
Carey will attend the Special Preview Event on Thursday, November 12, along with Knighthawks players Zed Williams (Seneca Nation, Wolf Clan), Jake Piseno (P’urhépecha tribe), Taylor Jensen, and Ryland Rees.
Artifacts on display include a handmade wooden stick created by Richard Francis Big Kettle from the Cattaraugus Territory, a wooden lacrosse ball from The Strong’s collections, a 1946 Rochester Sports Magazine featuring the Rochester Iroquois roster, artwork by artist Carson Waterman (Snipe Clan, Seneca Nation), a Rochester Knighthawks jersey and gear. The display also contains many images showcasing the history of lacrosse, such as a photo of the Columbia University lacrosse team from 1908, a picture of the Women’s Lacrosse Tournament from 1935, and a reproduction depicting the Hodinöhsö:ni’ Nationals women’s lacrosse team scrimmaging at the World Games. Toys on display showcase the cultural influence of the sport, including an American Girl Doll in a lacrosse uniform, G. I. Joe with a lacrosse stick, and a lacrosse Ken doll.
The exhibit remains on view through February 21, 2027. For more information, visit museumofplay.org.
About The Strong
The Strong is the only collections-based museum in the world devoted solely to the history and exploration of play. It is home to the International Center for the History of Electronic Games, the National Toy Hall of Fame, the World Video Game Hall of Fame, the Brian Sutton-Smith Library and Archives of Play, the Woodbury School, and the American Journal of Play and houses the world’s largest and most comprehensive collection of historical materials related to play.
About the Rochester Knighthawks
On Aug. 5, 2025, the Seneca Nation, through its wholly-owned business subsidiary Seneca Holdings, LLC, officially purchased the Rochester Knighthawks, ensuring the franchise’s future in a city where the roots of lacrosse run deep. The Seneca Nation is a sovereign Native Nation and the largest nation of the Haudenosaunee. The Seneca people have lived on the lands that comprise what is today the western part of New York State for time immemorial and have made countless contributions to the region’s history, culture, and economy. Rochester is the second-longest continuous market in the National Lacrosse League, which is comprised of 12 franchises across Canada and the United States.