The National Museum of the American Indian

Located at the bottom of Manhattan is the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian. This location, second to the one in Washington D.C., typically features three main exhibits. One with artifacts of Indigenous peoples from all of the Americas, another with the history of Indigenous people in the state of New York, and a final one that is a rotating gallery that has featured the work of Indigenous artists and photographers. On the lower level is an educational center called the “imagiNATIONS Activity Center” with exhibits geared towards kids. 

The museum is housed in the Alexander Hamilton U.S. Custom House. The building was built by Cass Gilbert and features murals of “explorers” painted by Reginald Marsh. One of the “explorers” depicted is Christopher Columbus. There is no signage anywhere inside the museum that discusses the troubled nature of those who are depicted in the rotunda at the center of the museum. 

Even with the troubling misrepresentations, the museum has many beautiful artifacts from Indigenous people all over the Americas. There are also some modern artworks including a jingle dress made out of paper that includes the names of over 100 Indigenous authors.  

The museum also has a gift shop that according to their website “features items from a widespread representation of Native groups, offering apparel, art, literature, jewelry, food, and more for all ages.” The shop is located in what was the Cashier’s Office of the Customs House and still features the original metal dividers of the cashier’s cages as well as the original crown molding, chandeliers and the vault that was used by the cashiers. 

Next to the store is the Mili Kàpi Cafe. Mili Kàpi means “give me some coffee” in the Native Language of the Lenape People. The cafe offers some snacks and beverages focused on highlighting ingredients Indigenous to the Americas.