Financial District in Manhattan in New York County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Sharing the Circle
The approximately one million objects in the National Museum of the American Indian (NMAI) collection were amassed by George Gustav Heye (1874-1957). The collection spans the Western Hemisphere from the Arctic to Tiera del Fuego and from California to the Caribbean. In 1989, through an act of Congress, NMAI became part of the Smithsonian Institution, the largest museum complex in the world.
NMAI’s George Gustav Heye Center, at the Alexander Hamilton US Custom House, is only one of the three sites comprising the museum. Plans are underway for a museum building near the Capitol in Washington, DC, which will be the public cornerstone of NMAI. Because of its immensity, however, much of the collection will reside in Suitland, Maryland, where objects will be housed, viewed, and used by native peoples for many purposes, including ceremonial rite and artistic reference.
Dedicated to educating the public about the diversity and vitality of native cultures throughout the western Hemisphere, the museum actively supports the involvement of native communities in the management of their own cultural resources. A “Fourth Museum” exists in the form of outreach and training within native communities. Like a tree that draws its strength from many roots, the shape of the Fourth Museum is as varied and flexible as the needs and wished of native communities, tribal cultural centers, schools, libraries and individuals.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Anthropology & Archaeology • Arts, Letters, Music • Native Americans. A significant historical year for this entry is 1989.
Location. 40° 42.266′ N, 74° 0.832′ W. Marker is in Manhattan, New York, in New York County. It is in the Financial District. Marker is at the intersection of Bowling Green and Broadway, on the left when traveling south on Bowling Green. The marker is one of several in a bank to the right of the main entrance to the National Museum of the American Indian. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: New York NY 10004, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Native People Of The Western Hemisphere (here, next to this marker); George Gustav Heye (here, next to this marker); Places of Exchange (here, next to this marker); American Merchant Marine (here, next to this marker); “North America” sculpted by Daniel Chester French (here, next to this marker); The Marketplace (here, next to this marker); Drawn To The City (a few steps from this marker); …to Manhattan (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Manhattan.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 31, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 20, 2019, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. This page has been viewed 192 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on March 20, 2019, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.