Edward Blackmore
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Edward 'Ted' Blackmore was born, lived and worked in Eastbourne. As a young boy, Ted would roam the Downs, feathers in his hair and pitch his home-made wigwam and practise tricks learned from Ernest Thompson Seton's 'The Book of Woodcraft and Indian Lore'.

Edward Blackmore's make up
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Later in life, Blackmore became friends with the Mohawk Indian, Chief Os-ke-non-ton who played the role of the Medicine Man in Hiawatha, which was performed every year from 1925 - 1939 at the Royal Albert Hall in London.

It was 'Ted' Blackmore and Chief Os-ke-non-ton who made the flaring warbonnet that Grey Owl wore on his British lecture tours.

Necklace made of Bears' Teeth
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Blackmore was admired by Indians in America and Canada for his knowledge of their ways and traditions. He was a master of wood carving and bead embroidery, a skilled rider and a self trained archer. For over sixty years he gave lectures on Native Americans, often dressed in full regalia and with demonstrations of sign language, dances, songs and survival skills, including his famous demonstration of lighting fire by friction!

In 1932 Chief Os-ke-non-ton came to Eastbourne to proclaim Ted Blackmore, a brother of the Bear Clan of Mohawks, a rare honour, and presented him with a Mohawk necklace of bear's teeth, the badge of the clan, which is now on display at Hastings Museum and Art Gallery.

Beaded Waistcoat
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The Blackmore collection was donated in 1983 and includes clothing, photographs, posters and artefacts, primarily from the Plains Indians.  It incorporates items from the Clare Sheridan Collection.

In 1941 Blackmore painted a full length portrait of Clare Sheridan wearing Indian regalia complete with his eagle feather trailer warbonnet.  This painting is now on display in Hastings Museum and Art Gallery.

Sioux Indians with Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show
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