First National Museum in U.S. Dedicated to Native Americans Opens
Kicks Off with colorful Six-Day Festival on National Mall
Release by Newstream
September 2004 (Newstream) -- Thousands of Native Americans from all
across America, many in traditional ceremonial garb, are celebrating
this week on the National Mall in Washington as the Smithsonian
Institution's National Museum of the American Indian opens its doors to
the public. The first museum in the country dedicated exclusively to
Native Americans and the first ever to present all exhibitions from an
American Indian point of view, it is staying open all through the night
tonight so everyone on hand for the festivities can get to walk through
it.
Native Americans played a key role in the planning and design of the
unique building and landscape at the foot of the U.S. Capitol grounds,
as well as the exhibitions and public programs. They hope visitors will
leave the museum knowing that Native Americans are not just a part of
America's history, but also vital contributors to contemporary culture.
For instance, one entire gallery is devoted solely to modern Indian
artwork.
In addition, over 7,000 objects from the museum's permanent
collection will be on display. Three major exhibitions will be
complemented by a contemporary art exhibit and landmark works of art -
both historic and contemporary - placed throughout the building. A
"welcome wall" greets visitors in approximately 166 Native languages,
conveying the diversity of Native people throughout the Americas.
The five story building, located between the Smithsonian's Air and
Space Museum and The U.S. Botanic Gardens, is made of rough limestone
that evokes natural rock formations and includes a wetlands area and
more than 40 boulders known as "grandfather rocks."
For more information on the Museum and this week's special
activities, go to
www.AmericanIndian.si.edu.
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Produced for The Smithsonian Institution
CONTACT:
Vicki Moeser, Smithsonian Institution Office of Public Affairs,
202-357-2627 ext: 111,
Web site for journalists:http://newsdesk.si.edu
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