National Museum of the American Indian
Alexander Hamilton U.S. Custom House
One Bowling Green (between State and Whitehall)
Manhattan
(212) 514-3700

Summary: A Smithsonian museum celebrating the heritage and cultural achievements of the first Americans. Exhibits, films, lectures, informal discussions, and touch-screen multimedia programs are all used to tell the story of Native Americans. The museum's Resource Center allows children to handle authentic objects.

The Smithsonian's George Gustav Hey Center of the National Museum of the American Indian may not be what you expect. You will not find tomahawks, war paint or Little Big Horn. Instead, you will find a well-thought-out presentation of the art and culture of Native Americans.

The self-described goal of the museum is to "correct misconceptions. To end prejudice. To stop injustice. And to demonstrate how Indian culture has enriched the world." In other words, the museum aims to do much more than simply put old things in glass cases.

This museum is designed to hold your attention and to tell you a story. Most exhibits are accompanied by brief descriptions for those who want to peruse each display quickly. Sound and video presentations are also available for those who want a more in-depth explanation. As one visitor from the U.K. who considers himself a Native American buff noted, the information is there if you want it, or you can just have a "wee look see."

Target Audience
Although many of the displays include hands-on artifacts and there are touch-screen computers in the resource center, two mothers of 4 and 5 year-old boys said that the museum is a little "old" for their kids. They would recommend it for grade schoolers, however. And since a visit to this museum does not consume the entire day (unlike visits to many other museums in New York City), the National Museum of the American Indian is a great place for all of us with busy schedules.

Our Favorite Displays
One of the most interesting exhibits in the museum is called "All Roads are Good: Native Voices on Life and Culture." The artifacts displayed were chosen by 23 Native Americans from all over the Western Hemisphere. They based their selections not only on the artistic and cultural value of the objects, but on their spiritual and personal significance as well. A young woman visiting the museum said she particularly liked this display because it is "a dialogue as opposed to a study." It allows Native people to "present their culture for themselves," she explained.

We found a display of photographs of Native Americans entitled "Partial Recall" particularly moving. These pictures have a power beyond that of mere artifacts. The museum also features mixed-media and photographic works by contemporary Native artists on the theme of cultural survival.

The Museum's History and Continuing Mission
The collection of the NMAI was originally housed in New York City's Museum of the American Indian on 155th Street and Broadway. The 1 million objects in the collection -- the most comprehensive in the world -- were amassed by George Gustav Heye (1874-1957). Heye spent most of his life and much of his inherited fortune traveling the Americas buying every Native object he could find.

Heye's collection was transferred to the Smithsonian in 1989 after the first President Bush signed legislation to establish a National Museum of the American Indian. A building to house the collection on the National Mall in Washington D.C. is scheduled to open in September 2004.

In addition to providing thought-provoking displays, the museum actively sets policies regarding the treatment of Native American objects. For example, in 1991 the 25-member Board of Trustees, many of whom are themselves Native Americans, took the unusual step of adopting a repatriation policy. Upon request by Indian tribes or individual Natives, certain ceremonial and religious objects from the collection (especially those that were acquired illegally) will be returned.

Getting There
The National Museum of the American Indian is located in the Alexander Hamilton U.S. Custom House at the southern tip of Broadway (look for the fountain). By subway, it can be reached by taking the #1 or #9 train to South Ferry; the #4 or #5 to Bowling Green; or the N or R train to Whitehall Street.

Admission and Other Info.
Admission is free. For further details about this museum or its siblings in Maryland and Washington, D.C., visit the National Museum of the American Indian web site.

By Corin Cummings

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