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National Museum of the American Indian
Category: Arts & Entertainment Museums Museums [Edit]
1 Bowling GrnNew York, NY 10004
Neighborhood: Financial District
(212) 514-3700
- Nearest Transit:
-
Bowling Green (4, 5)
Whitehall St (N, R)
South Ferry (1)
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
36 reviews for National Museum of the American Indian
Review Highlights
"All beautifully preserved and of Smithsonian quality."
(in 11 reviews)
"...exhibits from native american artists, historical library..."
(in 4 reviews)
"In a beautiful beaux arts customs house, which is an added..."
(in 3 reviews)
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36 reviews in English
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Review from steve O.
Los Angeles, CA
1/4/2012 1 Check-in Here
Free nuff said, especially for nyc! Closes at 8 on thurs!
its FED so prepare to take everything out of your pockets. -
Review from Mr F G and Ms M S.
Flushing, NY
1/20/2012
As a museum that called itself the museum of American Indian, we find it somewhat missing that they don't tell more about the complete history of american Indian, where they are now or the information of why most of their population is gone...
All they do was displaying the clothes,relics, photos mostly from early 20th century, and current art from American Indian.
Though the art itself was great, it would be more complete and true to the name of the museum if they would also show the time line history of American Indian civilization, so one could learn the mistake of this country forefathers..
We love the building, beautiful exterior and interior. It seemed a waste they don't put anything much in the center circular room..
But it's free and not crowded so check them out when you are in the area. -
Review from Colleen H.
Glen Lake, MN
1/3/2012 3 photos
This museum was a delight... The historical scope of art and relics is one that I can truly appreciate.
It is easy to get caught up in the travels of time - beautiful! -
Review from Phil H.
As a collector of Native American art and sculptures I was fascinated to finally have a chance to visit this museum a few days ago. Not only is it easily accessible right across the street from the bowling green subway stop, it is also FREE every day. You can't go wrong when you can explore one of the city's museums for free in a historic building that is fully air conditioned and secure.
As others have pointed out it is a smaller branch of the Smithsonian Museum in D.C. It is also more centered on tribal art and artifacts. I don't think it is fair at all to compare the NYC branch to the D.C. branch as that is their main facility. We also had no problems with the security and staff here as all we encountered were decent folk. Sure, going through a metal detector and screening took a few minutes, but big deal, as that is the world we live in today. I'd rather know we are safe.
Personally, I loved the selection of art to view. They were showing an exhibition on Preston Singletary's glass art which was beautiful. When you enter the museum there are two rooms to view. One is small with some artifacts and a tee-pee which is more for the kids to enjoy. Another features an impressive selection of dolls from tribes all around the world. From the simplest forms to intricate detailed dolls with amazing bead work.
The second level is where you can pick up a map and museum information, and view the other rooms. The glass art exhibit is up here and it was impressive that someone can do that kind of work with molten glass all in an Indian vein. The rooms here are centered off a rotunda that is majestic and breathtaking. There are no artifacts to view here, but look up to see some amazing art and architecture.
The other large room features all types of tribal artifacts, costumes, pottery, art, hunting and fishing pieces, and many other relics hundred and thousands of years old. There is so much to see and read about in this room be sure to give yourself enough time. Even though this museum is not big they do close at 5PM, so be sure to allot at least a few hours to explore.
I did notice that as this covers more of the tribal art there is no mention of the negative aspects of how the tribes were treated by the U.S. which is a shame as it is part of our history as bad as it is. Even so, this is a nice but small representation of tribal art.
Also, every once in a while they have performances in the downstairs showroom where the dolls were. Try to plan a visit when you can view a concert or some tribal dance presentation. Events are listed on their website. Clean bathrooms and a free locker/coat room are on the second floor. Did not seem too crowded either so it made it easier to view everything. It's a very easy museum to get to and explore as it's not that big, and hey, it's free!Listed in: Tourists! Run! Run for your…, Culture - me? Sure!
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Review from Michael G.
Rockville, MD
7/11/2011 1 Check-in Here
Going in, I thought I was going to be going into a large museum about Native American history, social life (ain't no party like a New Mexico party), and ceremony.
What do I get? A small museum (in a lovely, but empty, historic building) of Native American art! Again with the art, New York City?
I think the museum definitely shows the striking difference between N.Y.C. and D.C. since there are branches of this Smithsonian in both. D.C. is all about l-i-f-e. N.Y.C. is all about a-r-t.
Don't get me wrong. The artwork here is fascinating. One room consists of a large chunk of the collection of artifacts amassed by George Gustav Heye which the main D.C. museum is made up of. And the intricate work shows how advanced supposedly "primitive" cultures actually were. The rest of the museum, however, is temporary exhibitions of more modern art made by Native Americans.
For example, when I was there, there was a large display of glasswork by a noted modern glass artist with Native American roots who recently reconnected with his culture and combines elements of both sets of imagery. And it was somewhat interesting. It would have been more interesting if I had, for example, just read a magazine piece on him or something (or been a guest at one of his openings or some other hoity toity soiree). Which I hadn't. Though it appeared as though the mavenly ladies around me who were carefully catching the work from every angle had.
Now, the permanent collection room does try to explain more about Native American history and culture, but it's kind cursory. To interpret the big picture of Native American life past and present through its art is possible here, but not really through words. I would recommend this museum only after getting a context by visiting the much better D.C. offering. Unless someone really only cares about art.Listed in: The Bigger City, Show Me The Way To The Next…
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Review from Joan R.
7/26/2011 2 photos
I've experienced better. Much better.
Although this lackluster museum is not as good as other museums I've been too I don't think it deserves a lousy 2 stars. The building is beautiful, the interactive rooms are fun, and my bf and I are convinced that they filmed a scene from Black Swan in one of the lower floors.
First floor:
The building itself is gorgeous and majestic. Tall columns frames the main entrance. It's spacious and lovely inside. The rotunda, while aesthetically pleasing, feels like a barren space devoid of any relevant Native American artifacts.
The museum was not very highly populated when I last went, and I have a feeling that it does not get as much visitors as more popular museum, but the peaceful lull is welcoming. It is very serene.
The exhibits are so so and the majority of them are held in the first floor.
There are modern works of arts by current relevant Native American artists, sad photographs of reservations, and a couple of rooms that presents relics from famous tribes. I was surprised at how little artifacts from the legendary tribes the museum had to offer. The American Museum of Natural History offered more complete and informative exhibits about Native American history.
The lower floor:
There is a large showroom where performances are held. Try to plan a visit when you can catch a concert or some tribal dances.
There are interactive rooms for children where you can touch buffalo fur and deer skin, chill out in a tee-pee, and play with beads.
Remember the scene in Black Swan when Natalie Portman is at a fancy party and she is talking to her sexy French director next to a freaky statue of an armless man with angel wings on top of earth? The same freaky statue is in the lower floor of the museum! There's the same winding staircase in the back as well.
PROS:
Free
Beautiful atmospheric
Dances and concerts, make sure to plan ahead.
What little artifacts there is is interesting to look at
A scene from Black Swan was filmed here (I think)
CONS:
Anal security people.
Not much exhibits, very little relics from legendary tribes.
Most of the building is reserved for federal offices. -
Review from Laurinda U.
Medford, MA
8/5/2011
Whenever I'm in NY I like to visit this museum for three main reasons:
1. Free! Everyday. No need to wonder about admission prices!
2. Air conditioning, clean bathrooms, and water to refill your bottle. (This is especially important in the summer)
3. The exhibits are excellent and educational. They also change up every so often so whenever you come back there is something new! -
Review from Eric G.
Manhattan, NY
11/9/2011 1 Check-in Here
Reinvent Manifest Destiny with a visit to the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian in New York City. Round the Rotunda and let the light in from the 140-ton glass skylight above you. After checking out the gallery space, head westward to the Resource Center and pay tribute to the traditions of the Plains Indians by creating your own Ledger Art. Ledger paper, stencils and drawing utensils are provided by the Center. After you're finished, head downstairs and see what's on display at the Diker Pavilion.
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Review from Cynthia F.
New York, NY
1/17/2012
I have been there a few times over the past few years; mostly with my son and also to show him a little of our heritage. I was going to go in one day with my son, who is 3 at the time and we had just eaten and I had a stroller with us. On previous visits they were cordial and friendly to my son and I, but on this visit they were absolute authoritarian nightmares. First off, the guard referred to my son as "she", he then insisted that I break my whole stroller down, to put it through the scanner. As if I were about to embark on a flight. You know, the whole strip-tease while they stand there watching you like you are a piece of meat and it's only a matter of time before they slice you and eat you. I suggested to the guard that he was a power tripper and that maybe he should seek other employment. Packed my stuff and left. I then went home, wrote the head curator (whose response was totally insufficient) and have vowed to never return. Not to mention that the work is often self-referential and nativistic and has nothing to do with current trends in practice. The museum archives are interesting. Once. Skip this place, we deserve to be treated better with our money.
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Review from Betty C.
Forest Hills, NY
11/30/2010
Great place to go for free. There are such interesting displays of Native American artifacts plus changing exhibits of contemporary Native American artists. Be sure to check out the library where there are things you can handle and computers you can do research.
You will need to go through metal detectors.
There is a gift shop selling some interesting items. We like to pick up a bag or two of the Indian Fry Bread. Sort of like zeppoles.
The Museum hosts plenty of events through out the year with film screenings and demonstrations of beading and other crafts.Listed in: Places to Explore and Learn…
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Review from Richard D.
New York, NY
12/6/2010
It's a free museum, hey, I can't complain, but I'm going to!
This museum is okay. I think it's way better than the museum in DC. The one in DC I was outraged at the lack of coverage about broken treaties and the fact that they were wiped out. That museum mostly covered other Native Americans like Inuits and took out all of the bad stuff. That would have been like the Holocaust museum just covering Matzo Balls and Bagels.
This museum had a bit more stuff than that. The big horse exhibit was nice, but think they need more (the negative stuff) history vs one aspect. I guess horseys are cute and won't make little girls cry.
In the center of the museum there is a marketplace with arts and crafts for you to buy.
By the restroom on the 2nd floor there is a small hands on exhibit for children. Apparently, the Native Americans were a force to be reckoned with in the steelworker industry - they helped put up many of the skyscrapers in NYC. -
Review from Cristina B.
Merrick, NY
1/18/2011
I was surprised how small it was compared to the outside of the building.
The museum itself is alright. To be honest, I found it rather dull. At least it's free. -
Review from maria m.
6/15/2011 1 Check-in Here
I can't believe it took me nearly five years to visit! This museum is free and excellent. Very informative. I will be back with my students.
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Review from Flora G.
New York, NY
3/22/2007
A completely underrated historic site and museum...The site of this museum is the old US Customs House built at the turn of the 20th century, the architecture alone is worth a visit to see. It's right by my office and it doesn't matter how many times I've walked by (twice a day at least!) I still get caught up in the beauty of this building and can't stop staring. Supposedly this was the original site where the Dutch settlers in 1626 traded beads to the local American Indian tribe for the purchase of Manhattan.
The American Indian Museum only consists of two floors out of seven in the building as the rest are still in use for the Bankruptcy Court and other Federal Courts, that's why security is so tight there. The front entrance of this building is adorned with 4 gigantic sculptures by Daniel Chester French (He's the guy that sculpted the Abraham Lincoln Memorial in DC)representing Asia, America, Europe, and Africa. These sculptures are absolutely beautiful, they look like they were transported from some 300 year old fountain in France.
Inside the building, the interior is just as magnificent as the exterior, with marble and granite columns and floors. The walls are decorated with murals of shells, marine creatures, and the sea. Inside there is a huge skylight rotunda. The murals around the dome depict early explorers of the Americas in one series of paintings and traces the course of a ship entering New York's harbor in the other. Its really breathtaking..
But back to the actual museum exhibits, just strolling through the museum, the collections are really unusual and eye-catching and always make me stop and want to learn more...I always feel I like I come away from them with more respect and knowledge about the American Indian culture. The way the exhibits are presented and categorized (by region)really helps portray the complexity and magnificence of American Indian art. The other great thing about this museum is that they have a small but informative library and a couple of gift shops, that I'm very fond of getting presents at...
This really is a wonderful place to visit whether you're a New Yorker or just visiting because: one its free, two because its neverrrrr crowded here, and three because this is an amazing piece of American History! -
Review from John W.
6/20/2010 1 Check-in Here
One of my very favorite NYC museums, for a host of reasons. The permanent exhibitions, full of artifacts and folk art, are fascinating and very well-presented. This is a Smithsonian museum, after all. They rotate in temporary exhibits as well, which are also very nicely chosen. The few times I've gone they've featured different contemporary Native American artists, and the stuff is brilliant, and greatly enhanced by the historical perspective the rest of the museum offers.
For some odd reason, this place is never crowded, despite the fact that it's a FREE MUSEUM. Perhaps there's some perceived value issues that lead people to think it's okay to skip on the busy NYC vacation schedule, so until they wise up it's great that it's our little secret. That said, I wish the museum nothing but success, and sincerely hope it generates enough foot traffic to support itself. -
Review from Eric A.
Rego Park, NY
3/6/2009
It's the New York arm of the Smithsonian sponsored National Museum of the American Indian, so there's no charge.
Also it's located in the old historic custom house, which gives it a very grand feel. all high ceilings and marble. Downside being that they only really have 2 galleries, but it's free.
The exhibits they have rotate over from the main museum on the National Mall in DC, so it's definitely worth it to make multiple trips, which is fine because it's free.
Also check out there gift shops which have a bunch of authentic items for sale, as opposed to your usual mugs and T-shirts (although they have those too). The ground floor is home to their Theater which is a definitely worth taking a peak at while your there, you know 'cause it's free.
Taken as a whole, the museum seems a bit short on content, but the setting is really beautiful and you really get a feel for the culture the way it's displayed. Best of all, it's free.Listed in: Museums
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Review from Katherine K.
Astoria, NY
2/13/2009
I embraced the free admission factor, I must admit. Loved every free minute, of course. Didn't know the museum used to be the Old Alexander Hamilton U.S. Custom House. The marble interior really did it for me! Couldn't close my jaw in awe. The rotunda along with the mural on the ceiling looks very similar to the one in the 60 Centre Courthouse-was absolutley amazing! I was 'camping happily' or a 'happy camper'!
The museum stands conveniently right across the Bowling Green Subway Station and park in which I had just learned was the first public park to be built in Manhattan in 1703. Dayamm! The park along with the museum are dinosaurs yet they look terribly good for their age.
There are 2 main exhibits on the 2nd floor regarding Native American culture. Let's just say that 2 hours later I walked out of the museum with the false impression that I too, could sew a few beads, elk
teeth and porcupine needles on some cow/deer hide~~ -
Review from Michelle F.
New York, NY
8/10/2008
This museum is a must if you are interested in learning about Native American culture. Not only is it free, but it is conveniently located just off the Bowling Green station, as well as South Ferry.
Even though the museum looks quite large from the outside, it usually only holds two different exhibits. However, its smaller size, unlike other New York museums (ie. the Natural History Museum), lessens the pressure of thinking that you have to see the rest of the exhibits. When I last went to the museum, their main exhibit showcased Pacific Northwest tribes. As a person who grew up in Washington, this exhibit meant a lot to me.
There is a small gift shop that sells books, cds, dvds, blankets, jewelry, and even frybread mix! That made me laugh.
The museum also holds many different activities throughout the year such as dance performances, Native American author and artist speeches, as well as craft classes for children.
Overall, this museum is one of my favorite underrated New York City museums. I'm definitely going to continue visiting this museum on my spare time. -
Review from Helen Y.
New York, NY
2/1/2011
One of my favorite museums. Set in the Alexander Hamilton Customs Building, this small gem is host to some of the most beautiful crafts wrought by Native Americans. The craftsmanship of the objects on display is so sublime even those who don't do handiwork should be able to appreciate the talent of the makers. Those not familiar with NMAI may just wonder why the museum doesn't utilize its space more efficiently. It's in a landmark building that was saved from demolition. The rotunda, that just seems tto take up too much space, is actually used for special events, dance troupes etc. I can't figure out why this museum is never crowded--the better for me, actually!!! Visit this museum if you want a sense of what your history books and teachers didn't tell you about how the "west was won". You might weep. But your heart will rejoice at the spirit of the people in every single piece you see there. I have never seen one boring or bad exhibit here. There is also a basement floor, with further exhibits. The museum also has craft workshops, free or for a nominal fee. Infinity of Nations and A Song for a Horse Nation are the current exhibits. You will wonder many hours(days, weeks???) it took for one crafter to bead up a headpiece for a horse--and without benefit of spectacles.
Oh, the museum shares space with federal offices, so you Yelpers who are budding ninja assassins, please keep the tools of the trade at home; you will have to pass through a metal detector to get into the museum.
The museum is also free, being a Smithsonian museum. So hesitant Yelpers, give it a try. It may not have the reputation of the Met(another of my faves) or Moma or get their press, but the collections here rival anything I have seen there. Yes, it's small. But seriously, how many hours can you spend looking at art?? If you like crafts with a history lesson, you will appreciate NMAI. Who knows, you might be inspired to join NMAI or donate on the way out. -
Review from Alma Z.
11/18/2008
I came here with a date once since it was right next to the Staten Island ferry and it was free (both pluses in my book).
Very interesting exhibit with Indian artifacts from different tribal cultures, photographs and documentries. Not a bad place to spend an afternoon and soak up some history and learn about the original natives of Manhattan -
Review from Joseph D.
Atlanta, GA
6/5/2008 3 photos
This is a very cool museum in the stunningly gorgeous Customs House near Bowling Green Park. Five stars for both the museum and the building that houses it.
Although the museum is relatively small, it's not hard to spend a fair amount of time getting lost in it. The Pacific Northwest exhibit that was in place when I visited was very well done.
A great way to escape the heat if you're visiting in summer. And it's another one of those surprisingly free things in Manhattan. -
Review from Linda W.
New York, NY
5/16/2010
My sister worked at this museum in the gift shop back in college. I'm familiar with most of the exhibits and layout of the museum. A majority of the exhibits and collections are from generous private donators as well the Smithsonian museum in Washington, D.C. The reason for all the security check points and guards is due to a federal facility claimed to be a private bank on the top deck (which is rumored by the staff to be one of the FBI's headquarters).
The museum offers an interesting and extensive exhibits on the different tribes of the Native Americans. There's also a photography archive (4 separate collections) and an art gallery on the opposite end of the lobby. The center lobby features an impressive mural which depicts the scenary of the ports and merchants in the 1800's. The artist (which my sister can not recall) woke up at 4am to give a realistic painting of the trading ports and the ferry dock in the 1800's. Some of those names are actual historical figures that were merchants, traders, etc. Scheduled live events are held monthly for performances like the POW WOW (intense tribal drum music and story telling) and cultural celebrations. Many different tribes and communities continue to make significant contributions and volunteer work to the preservation of the Native American culture.
Beware of the alarms and sensor triggers that goes off if you walk too close to the paintings or exhibits! The federal security guards are armed. They keep their exhibits and collections carefully guarded. The gift shops offer an array of items from T-shirts to sound tracks and even food. I have a sand painting and a couple of T-shirts for mementos thanks to my sister. The admission is free.
The museum opens daily from 10AM-5:00PM. Bags, hand purses, belts, loose change, and keys have to go through a metal detector and searched by the security guards. Keep in mind that the admission is free of cost. Their exhibits and collections come from private collectors and contributions of the Smithsonian Museum in Washington, D.C. It's not fair to compare NMAI to other museums that are on a larger scale like the AMNH, MET, MOMMA, etc.
If anything, more grants and donations should be offered generously to NMAI (which is not the case) to continue running of the museum. -
Review from Jimmy w.
1/29/2010
I was expecting more from this museum. I'm from Texas so I've seen some real Indian museums. They had tepees and real buffalo skins outside of the museums and also many different style of spears they used throughout the years.
This museum was mostly about the Indian dances and their different styles of wardrobe. I didn't see anything special. The first floor was the same as the top floor, it was just full of different dance robes.
The museum looks gorgeous from the outside. -
Review from Jessie D.
Brooklyn, NY
4/1/2011
They don't have much of a permanent exhibit, so if you aren't into the special exhibits you're out of luck. I find Native American history and culture to be fascinating, and so I was disappointed to find this museum to be a little boring.
The building alone is worth the visit though, especially if you are interested in NY history as it was the Alexander Hamilton Customs Building. The main room is gorgeous. -
Review from Ana V.
White Plains, NY
3/29/2011
My grandmother loves bringing me to museums and I spent many afternoons here. This museum is quite small, but lovely. So many people complain that it is boring, but really, its so small that you don't need to stay long. You'd have to spend the whole day in one spot to get bored. They have activities for children, photography, traditional outfits etc etc. It's a simple museum but I like it. Plus, it's free!
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Review from Heath R.
Los Angeles, CA
5/17/2009
This is a gem of a museum, and underrated! Free admission, which can't be beat. In a beautiful beaux arts customs house, which is an added bonus. Can't believe the building sat vacant for years and years until the museum moved in. A nice, creative reuse of the structure. And they've maintained most of the trimmings.
The museum itself, is awesome, though. They have two exhibits currently. One is an exhibit of Fritz Scholder paintings that ends today, so you should go immediately to see these works. I saw some hanging in Santa Fe last fall and like him quite a bit. Not what you think of when you think of Native American painting most of the time.
But the exhibit of dresses and dressmaking is even more impressive. The dresses date back to 1850 at the earliest, and there's a healthy multimedia aspect that shares the faces and names of the dressmakers, as well as an oral history of the craft. Strong women with important stories represented here.
The gift shops are small -- there's one on the ground floor as well as the main floor -- but the one on the main floor has a wide-ranging selection of books on Native Americans. Worth perusing on its own.
Thank you, Smithsonian! -
Review from Jim U.
4/25/2010
The National Museum of the American Indian, a Smithsonian museum, has a branch here in New York City just off of Bowling Green. Living in the area years ago and again now, I walked past the place countless times without ever making a visit. The admission is free, so there was no excuse not to go in, and my time was due.
At the entrance there was a security checkpoint with a magnetic screener. Being the only two people in eyeshot, this went fairly well. Unfortunately, there was no information whatsoever about the museum. So we wandered down the hall a bit, and arrived at the main auditorium on the first floor. There was a huge blue screen that extended from the floor to the ceiling and was incredibly wide. It showed nothing, only blue. In front of the screen was a security officer, and in front of him about 300 empty seats. We had the entire room to ourselves. We walked along the arcs leading to the screen and saw showcased native American artifacts. There were moccasins, headdresses, bows, arrows, masks, and so forth. All beautifully preserved and of Smithsonian quality. The pieces were all from different tribes and there was little to tie the pieces together. It felt disjointed. More disarming was that giant blue screen that showed nothing during our visit. What was the point?
It took about fifteen minutes or so to finish with the first floor. We walked up to the second floor and checked out the different mini-exhibitions. One of them was "Skin as Material and Metaphor". My take was that they found a modern artist who happened to be native American and decided to showcase their less-than-developed artwork. There were for example, several acrylic tableaux with walrus skin and metal hanging from it billed as mixed media. The pieces were so similar, I did not see the need for repetition and certainly did not see a progression. One standout was a large wall piece featuring at least a hundred narrow "skin cylinders with conical caps". It looked like oversized sheepskin condoms that were fully stretched. Oh Sonya Kelliher-Combs, you scare me. (Ahem, http://www.nmai.si.edu... ).
Making a quick pass at the artwork, we proceeded to the back where we saw the exhibition "Ramp it Up: Skateboard Culture in Native America". This consisted of about 10 skate decks and examples of wheels and trucks across the years complemented by loud, in your face music. There was a charming picture of Duke Kahanamoku, so it was not all bad; but that's surfing, not skateboarding.
The final exhibition was the "A Song for the Horse Nation". It was supposed to chronicle the influence of horses on American tribes since their introduction. It was just a collection of beaded bridles and saddles. Meh.
The more interesting part of the museum, was the building itself. It was so gorgeous and stately. It is worth a look, even if a lot of what is in the museum is not.
3 stars since it is free -
Review from Anna M.
New York, NY
8/8/2010
Now, before I start, I just wanted to say that I am a person who LOVES museums when other people think they are a waste of time.
This museum, in my opinion, was really boring. Yes, they had some very interesting things there, but it was still very dull. -
Review from Kate F.
Chicago, IL
3/17/2007
Yes, it's a small museum. However, it's a free museum and as someone who's quite interested in the topic, I must say the exhibits are well researched. Also, because it's smallish, you can spend time reading up on things without feeling the pressure of seeing everything, as that's a given. They've also got a great little gift shop with some nice jewelry that I've given as gifts.
Listed in: My Neighborhood
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Review from Matt E.
10/1/2009
3.5 stars....The building is beautiful, and so is the fact that it's free (not like suggested admission free, like completely free). The gift shop is actually wonderful as well, as it includes (in addition to all the stuff you'd think it would have) some high quality authentic Native American gifts at fairly reasonable prices. These are the only positives of this place, but they are good enough to bump an otherwise 2 star review to 3.5 stars.
Half the building is still being currently used as an office so you can't explore the whole building and the museum is only a fraction of the size you'd think it would be by looking at the building from outside. You'll be stopped in the entrance by airport type security with x-ray machines and metal detectors (I was told I couldn't come in with my pocket knife and they couldn't hold it for me like they do at other places like the Intrepid). The museum is split up between exhibits from modern artists who happen to be Native Americans and actual historical pieces. When I went the first floor was a couple galleries of Native American women's clothing (this is an exhibit that I believe changes every so often) and the modern art and the ground floor has a theater with display cases around the perimeter with the real Native American Pieces I came here to see, the problem is there wasn't too many pieces.
If the museum wasn't free and had a great gift shop I'd give this place a 1 or 2 but as it stands now it's a great little piece of the city and one of the last things you can actually do for free in Manhattan. If you're in the Wall Street or Battery Park area I would suggest stopping by but I wouldn't take a trip out specifically for this Museum like you might for the Met or the Natural History Museum. -
Review from Ester B.
Nassau, NY
7/26/2010
I've been to this museum many times. Very interesting exhibits and it is absolutely free. If you have time, definitely recommend!!!
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Review from Lis K.
5/5/2010
For starters this Museum is Free. So even if you hate going to museums, you should still go, just because you won't spend any money going here.
The exhibits are a little tricky, because they aren't actually designed with this museum in mind, but instead for the Museum in Washington DC. Do not expect a lot of text near artifacts, or really describing the exhibits themselves. The collection that is used in this museum, and the museum in Washington was actually displayed and stored in the Upper West Side before being given to the Smithsonian through an act of Congress.
The museum does a beautiful job in working with tribes to decided what is best displayed, and how things should be displayed, the museum also works with artists and combines old artifacts, with modern art showing that these groups aren't just frozen in the 19th century, but still living and contributing to society today.
The building that the museum is today housed in, is actually significant, in that it was one of the first places where exchanges between Colonial Settlers and Native American groups occurred. -
Review from diana m.
Brooklyn, NY
6/16/2008
If you have any interest in Native American art you must check this place out. I discovered this place a few years ago and I was amazed. Yes I know it's small but it's the perfect size for the museum. It's one of those great small New York museums that nobody seems to know about.
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Review from Diana B.
New York, NY
11/9/2005
Smithsonian sponsorship guarantees free admission to this beautiful building near the Staten Island Ferry. Indian exhibits of various sorts and a nice gift shop.
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Review from Susan L.
1/16/2010
If I was just rating this museum based on the exhibits, I'd give it a 4 - but the building's interior is gorgeous (the exterior isn't exactly shabby either) and the gift shop has a very nice selection, including some wonderful books. Also, the fact that the museum has free admission is another thing in its favor. We've been there a few times over the years and there's always at least one interesting exhibit at any given time. I wouldn't exactly call this a "highlight" of NYC museums, but it's a largely-undiscovered place that's well worth visiting.
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Review from Denika C.
Chicago, IL
5/25/2010 3 photos
art exhibits from native american artists, historical library and information center on european colonization/requiremento and it's effect on the natives. indian artifacts : smoking pipes, tools, guns, all there to educate and preserve american history & dispel any false ideas of what a native is or should be. beautiful building. clean public bathrooms.even handpainted skateboard decks. plus it's free to get in and explore. take a walk and learn something.
