The National Museum of the American Indian has its origins in the collections of George Gustav. In 1989, the collection was transferred to the Smithsonian and now consists of the George Gustav Heye Center of the National Museum of the American Indian in New York City, the Cultural Resources Center in Maryland, and the National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, DC.
Aerial view of the National Museum of the American Indian.
George Gustav Heye, founder of the National Museum of the American Indian, stands outside holding a dish, with Mrs. R.C. Draney and E. S. Robinson to his left holding a canoe prow. The group is in Vancouver, British Columbia, and the artifacts are Bella Coola.
Ninth Smithsonian Secretary (1984-1994) Robert McCormick Adams (1926- ), signs Memorandum of Understanding with Museum of American Indian (MAI), Heye Foundation, transferring its superb collection of American Indian artifacts to Smithsonian at ceremony on May 8, 1989, overlooking the site of the hoped-for new National Museum of the American Indian to be built on the Mall in Washington to house Heye Foundation Collection. Looking on left to right: Suzan Harjo, member of board of trustees, Museum of the American Indian, Heye Foundation, New York City; Roland Force, director MAI; Senator Daniel K. Inouye (D-HI), chief support of legislation to create NMAI within SI; Dick Baker, member Lakota Sioux Red Feather Society; Congressman Ben Nighthorse Campbell (D-CO), only American Indian member in Congress.
Members of the board of trustees of the National Museum of the American Indian, seated from left:: Barber B. Conable Jr., Julie Johnson Kidd, Curt Muser, Helen Sheirbeck, Jennie Joe; standing, from left:: Arturo Warman, Janine Pease-Windy Boy, Alvin Josephy, Jr., Waldemar Nielsen, Robert Buffalohead, Fred Hoxie, Rosita Worl, Ernest Boyer, David Hurst Thomas, Norbert Hill, and Smithsonian Secretary Robert McCormick Adams. They are in the Secretary's Parlor, Smithsonian Institution Building.
National Museum of the American Indian (NMAI) staff (and some colleagues from the Huntington Library) gathered in July for this group photo in New York City. NMAI, Heye Foundation, located at 155th Street and Broadway, became part of the Smithsonian Institution in the summer of 1990
Exterior of the George Gustav Heye Center of the National Museum of the American Indian in the Alexander Hamilton Customs House in New York City prior to its renovation.
Interior of the George Gustav Heye Center of the National Museum of the American Indian in the Alexander Hamilton Customs House in New York City prior to its renovation. This view show a hallway leading to a curved staircase.
Interior of the George Gustav Heye Center of the National Museum of the American Indian in the Alexander Hamilton Customs House in New York City prior to its renovation. This view show a rotunda with fountain at the center and murals on the ceiling.
Visitors at the opening day of the George Gustav Heye Center of the National Museum of the American Indian in the Alexander Hamilton Customs House in New York City. They are viewing the "The Path We Travel" exhibit.
Model of the National Museum of the American Indian Cultural Resources Center, to be building adjoining the Museum Support Center in Suitland, Maryland.
American Indian Museum and Exhibits Central staff install a Dakota tepee (circa 1910) in the North Hall of the Arts and Industries Building for a special exhibition titled "Stories of the "People". This was a preview of the National Museum of the American Indian to be built on the Mall.
Native Americans perform ritual dances as part of the National Museum of the American Indian's participation in the Smithsonian Institution's 150th Birthday Party on the Mall.
Model for the National Museum of the American Indian on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.
Excavation site for the new National Museum of the American Indian on the National Mall south of the National Air and Space Museum, seen from the west, with the U.S. Capitol and U.S. Botanic Garden visible behind it.
Native American PowWow organized by the National Museum of the American Indian on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. Participants are dancing in a tent, with audience visible.
Installation of the compression ring at the top of the new National Museum of the American Indian. Cranes are lifting the ring into place at the center of the atrium, seen from the east. Scaffolding surrounds the building.
View down into the atrium of the new National Museum of the American Indian during construction.
National Museum of the American Indian Welcome Center Exhibit in the Great Hall of the Smithsonian Institution Building.
Construction of the National Museum of the American Indian seen from Independence Avenue to the south. Cranes are still present near the entrance. A Welcome Center truck sits outside of the Museum.
Group photograph of some of the chiefs and tribal elders attending the opening celebration of the Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. Image was taken on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol at c. 3 pm. This event was the largest gathering of Native Americans in history.