Birdhouse gourds originated in North America hundreds of years ago. Native American Indians such as the Chickasaw tribe are believed to be the first people to use gourds as birdhouses. The Chickasaw people cut holes in gourds shaped much like the ones shown here to attract purple martin birds to their residential areas. Chickasaw tribes lived in the lands of southeastern North America, now known as Mississippi, Tennessee and Alabama. These birdhouses may be purchased at the Stars & Stripes Museum near Bloomfield or may be ordered from Painted Wren Art Gallery.