National Museum of the American Indian, Washington, DC Photos

The National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, DC showcases historic artifact collections from the Smithsonian and cultural displays created by various American native nations. The building which expresses American landscapes was originally designed by Douglas Cardinal and completed by others.

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National Museum of the American Indian on National Mall. Washington, DC.Eastern entrance facade of National Museum of the American Indian. Washington, DC.Curvilinear limestone facade evokes natural rock formations at National Museum of the American Indian. Washington, DC.Limestone facade details of National Museum of the American Indian. Washington, DC.
National Museum of the American Indian (2004) on National Mall. Washington, DC. Architect: Douglas Cardinal, et al.Eastern entrance facade of National Museum of the American Indian. Washington, DC.Curvilinear limestone facade evokes natural rock formations at National Museum of the American Indian. Washington, DC.Limestone facade details of National Museum of the American Indian. Washington, DC.
Textures of National Museum of the American Indian. Washington, DC.National Museum of the American Indian at night. Washington, DC.Interior rotunda dome at National Museum of the American Indian. Washington, DC.Entrance hall interior at National Museum of the American Indian. Washington, DC.
Textures of National Museum of the American Indian. Washington, DC.National Museum of the American Indian at night. Washington, DC.Interior rotunda dome at National Museum of the American Indian. Washington, DC.Entrance hall interior at National Museum of the American Indian. Washington, DC.
Curvilinear interior of National Museum of the American Indian. Washington, DC.Curvilinear wall detail in National Museum of the American Indian. Washington, DC.Allies in War, Partners in Peace sculpture honors Oneida Nation by Edward Hlavka at National Museum of the American Indian. Washington, DC.Sacred Rain Arrow sculpture shows Apache Warrior by Allan Houser at National Museum of the American Indian. Washington, DC.
Curvilinear interior of National Museum of the American Indian. Washington, DC.Curvilinear wall detail in National Museum of the American Indian. Washington, DC.Allies in War, Partners in Peace sculpture (2004) honors Oneida Nation by Edward Hlavka at National Museum of the American Indian. Washington, DC.Sacred Rain Arrow sculpture (1988) shows Apache Warrior by Allan Houser at National Museum of the American Indian. Washington, DC.
For Life in all Directions sculpture by Roxanne Swentzell of Santa Clara, NM at National Museum of the American Indian. Washington, DC.Memories: An Ancient Past whale skull sculpture shows drum dancers & spirits by Abraham Anghik Ruben at National Museum of the American Indian. Washington, DC.Late Mississippian vessel in form of Underwater Panther from Rose Mound, Arkansas at National Museum of the American Indian. Washington, DC.Wendat wampum belt from Ontario, Canada at National Museum of the American Indian. Washington, DC.
For Life in all Directions sculpture (2004) by Roxanne Swentzell of Santa Clara, NM at National Museum of the American Indian. Washington, DC.Memories: An Ancient Past whale skull sculpture (2010) shows drum dancers & spirits by Abraham Anghik Ruben at National Museum of the American Indian. Washington, DC.Late Mississippian vessel in form of Underwater Panther (1400-1600) from Rose Mound, Arkansas at National Museum of the American Indian. Washington, DC.Wendat (Huron) wampum belt (1600-50) from Ontario, Canada at National Museum of the American Indian. Washington, DC.
Plate with avanyu by Juan Tafoya of San Ildefonso Pueblo, NM at National Museum of the American Indian. Washington, DC.Ceramic pitcher by Raúl Mayta of Peru at National Museum of the American Indian. Washington, DC.Whimsical Eccentric sculpture by Michael Massie of Newfoundland at National Museum of the American Indian. Washington, DC.Collection of native arts at National Museum of the American Indian. Washington, DC.
Plate with avanyu (water serpent) (1984) by Juan Tafoya of San Ildefonso Pueblo, NM at National Museum of the American Indian. Washington, DC.Ceramic pitcher (2005) by Raúl Mayta of Peru at National Museum of the American Indian. Washington, DC.Whimsical Eccentric sculpture (2003) by Michael Massie of Newfoundland at National Museum of the American Indian. Washington, DC.Collection of native arts at National Museum of the American Indian. Washington, DC.
Collection of Northwest Coast native arts at National Museum of the American Indian. Washington, DC.Nisga'a eagle headdress from Upper Nass River, BC, Canada at National Museum of the American Indian. Washington, DC.Mayan ceramic rabbit bowl from Campeche, Mexico at National Museum of the American Indian. Washington, DC.Ceramic bowl with parrot legs from Colima, Mexico at National Museum of the American Indian. Washington, DC.
Collection of Northwest Coast native arts at National Museum of the American Indian. Washington, DC.Nisga'a eagle headdress (c1880) from Upper Nass River, BC, Canada at National Museum of the American Indian. Washington, DC.Mayan ceramic rabbit bowl (550-950) from Campeche, Mexico at National Museum of the American Indian. Washington, DC.Ceramic bowl with parrot legs (200 BCE-300 CE) from Colima, Mexico at National Museum of the American Indian. Washington, DC.
Ceramic native two-spout jug with bird design at National Museum of the American Indian. Washington, DC.Bear mask by Rick Bartow of Mad River Band of Yurok, OR at National Museum of the American Indian. Washington, DC.Inuit hunting polar bear ivory carving by Aloysius Pikonganna or Nome, AK at National Museum of the American Indian. Washington, DC.Acoma ceramic seed jar with rabbit design by Emma Lewis of Acoma Pueblo, NM at National Museum of the American Indian. Washington, DC.
Ceramic native two-spout jug with bird design at National Museum of the American Indian. Washington, DC.Bear mask (1990) by Rick Bartow of Mad River Band of Yurok, OR at National Museum of the American Indian. Washington, DC.Inuit hunting polar bear ivory carving (1958) by Aloysius Pikonganna or Nome, AK at National Museum of the American Indian. Washington, DC.Acoma ceramic seed jar with rabbit design (1979) by Emma Lewis of Acoma Pueblo, NM at National Museum of the American Indian. Washington, DC.
Carved wooden feast dish from Chilkat Tlingit culture of Klukwan, AK at National Museum of the American Indian. Washington, DC.Ceramic cookie jar with bird design by Sadie Adams of Hopi, AZ at National Museum of the American Indian. Washington, DC.Yup'ik mask from Kuskokwim River, AK at National Museum of the American Indian. Washington, DC.Portrait of Tchan-Dee, Oglala Chief by George Catlin at National Museum of the American Indian. Washington, DC.
Carved wooden feast dish (c1850) from Chilkat Tlingit culture of Klukwan, AK at National Museum of the American Indian. Washington, DC.Ceramic cookie jar with bird design (1964) by Sadie Adams of Hopi, AZ at National Museum of the American Indian. Washington, DC.Yup'ik mask (c1905) from Kuskokwim River, AK at National Museum of the American Indian. Washington, DC.Portrait of Tchan-Dee, Oglala Chief (1832) by George Catlin at National Museum of the American Indian. Washington, DC.
Buffalo-hide shield at National Museum of the American Indian. Washington, DC.Willow, cloth & hide backrest at National Museum of the American Indian. Washington, DC.Woman's beaded dress at National Museum of the American Indian. Washington, DC.Gutálsi'á hide painting of puberty ceremony by Naiche peoples at Fort Sill, OK at National Museum of the American Indian. Washington, DC.
Buffalo-hide shield (c1875) at National Museum of the American Indian. Washington, DC.Willow, cloth & hide backrest (c1880) at National Museum of the American Indian. Washington, DC.Woman's beaded dress (c1890) at National Museum of the American Indian. Washington, DC.Gutálsi'á hide painting (c1900) of puberty ceremony by Naiche peoples at Fort Sill, OK at National Museum of the American Indian. Washington, DC.
Chiricahua Apache saddle bag at National Museum of the American Indian. Washington, DC.Tribal displays at National Museum of the American Indian. Washington, DC.Kiowa cradle board at National Museum of the American Indian. Washington, DC.Firearm collection at National Museum of the American Indian. Washington, DC.
Chiricahua Apache saddle bag (c1880) at National Museum of the American Indian. Washington, DC.Tribal displays at National Museum of the American Indian. Washington, DC.Kiowa cradle board (c1900) at National Museum of the American Indian. Washington, DC.Firearm collection at National Museum of the American Indian. Washington, DC.
Tohono nation cactus-boot canteen from AZ at National Museum of the American Indian. Washington, DC.Wixarika yarn painting from Durango, Mexico at National Museum of the American Indian. Washington, DC.Wixarika yarn paintings by Reymundo de las Rosas from Durango, Mexico at National Museum of the American Indian. Washington, DC.Rabbit mask from Nahua peoples of Mexico at National Museum of the American Indian. Washington, DC.
Tohono nation cactus-boot canteen (c1915) from AZ at National Museum of the American Indian. Washington, DC.Wixarika yarn painting (c1965) from Durango, Mexico at National Museum of the American Indian. Washington, DC.Wixarika yarn paintings (c1965) by Reymundo de las Rosas from Durango, Mexico at National Museum of the American Indian. Washington, DC.Rabbit mask (c1950) from Nahua peoples of Mexico at National Museum of the American Indian. Washington, DC.
Mask made from hornet nest from Cherokee nation of NC at National Museum of the American Indian. Washington, DC.Collection of Santa Clara, NM pottery at National Museum of the American Indian. Washington, DC.Pottery bowl by Teresita Naranjo of Santa Clara, NM at National Museum of the American Indian. Washington, DC.Pottery wedding vase from Santa Clara, NM at National Museum of the American Indian. Washington, DC.
Mask made from hornet nest (c1930) from Cherokee nation of NC at National Museum of the American Indian. Washington, DC.Collection of Santa Clara, NM pottery at National Museum of the American Indian. Washington, DC.Pottery bowl (c1975) by Teresita Naranjo of Santa Clara, NM at National Museum of the American Indian. Washington, DC.Pottery wedding vase (c1890) from Santa Clara, NM at National Museum of the American Indian. Washington, DC.
Anishinaabe peoples traditional dress with wooden bowls at National Museum of the American Indian. Washington, DC.Lakota male beaded vest at National Museum of the American Indian. Washington, DC.Lakota fringed leather shirt with beadwork at National Museum of the American Indian. Washington, DC.Papier-mâché skull by Francisco Linares at National Museum of the American Indian. Washington, DC.
Anishinaabe peoples traditional dress (late 1800s-early 1900s) with wooden bowls at National Museum of the American Indian. Washington, DC.Lakota male beaded vest (c1900) at National Museum of the American Indian. Washington, DC.Lakota fringed leather shirt with beadwork (c1880) at National Museum of the American Indian. Washington, DC.Papier-mâché skull (1972) by Francisco Linares at National Museum of the American Indian. Washington, DC.
Kayapo feather headdress from Brazil at National Museum of the American Indian. Washington, DC.Maina feather headdress from Amazon region of Brazil at National Museum of the American Indian. Washington, DC.Lakota muslin cloth tipi from the Dakotas at National Museum of the American Indian. Washington, DC.Elk teeth decorated girl's dress & Blackfeet doll with beads representing elk's teeth at National Museum of the American Indian. Washington, DC.
Kayapo feather headdress (c1910) from Brazil at National Museum of the American Indian. Washington, DC.Maina feather headdress (c1925) from Amazon region of Brazil at National Museum of the American Indian. Washington, DC.Lakota muslin cloth tipi (c1890-1910) from the Dakotas at National Museum of the American Indian. Washington, DC.Elk teeth decorated girl's dress (c1915) (Crow nation) & Blackfeet doll (c1850) with beads representing elk's teeth at National Museum of the American Indian. Washington, DC.
Ute cradleboard from Utah at National Museum of the American Indian. Washington, DC.Multiplex manual typewriter by Hammond Typewriter Co. at National Museum of the American Indian. Washington, DC.Collection of Latin American native ceramics at National Museum of the American Indian. Washington, DC.Collection of Latin American native ceramics at National Museum of the American Indian. Washington, DC.
Ute cradleboard (1885-1900) from Utah at National Museum of the American Indian. Washington, DC.Multiplex manual typewriter (c1915) by Hammond Typewriter Co. at National Museum of the American Indian. Washington, DC.Collection of Latin American native ceramics at National Museum of the American Indian. Washington, DC.Collection of Latin American native ceramics at National Museum of the American Indian. Washington, DC.
Ceramic figure from Las Remojadas, Veracruz, Mexico at National Museum of the American Indian. Washington, DC.Gold bird ornament from Sinu River, Colombia & Gold frog effigy from Costa Rica at National Museum of the American Indian. Washington, DC.Gold Lambayeque mask from Peru at National Museum of the American Indian. Washington, DC.Gold jaguar ornament from Costa Rica at National Museum of the American Indian. Washington, DC.
Ceramic figure (400 BCE-500 CE) from Las Remojadas, Veracruz, Mexico at National Museum of the American Indian. Washington, DC.Gold bird ornament (500-1000) from Sinu River, Colombia & Gold frog effigy (800-1200) from Costa Rica at National Museum of the American Indian. Washington, DC.Gold Lambayeque mask (1200-1400) from Peru at National Museum of the American Indian. Washington, DC.Gold jaguar ornament (800-1200) from Costa Rica at National Museum of the American Indian. Washington, DC.
Gold crayfish ornament from Costa Rica at National Museum of the American Indian. Washington, DC.Gold staff heads from Antioquia, Colombia at National Museum of the American Indian. Washington, DC.Display of Spanish swords & items plundered from the Americas at National Museum of the American Indian. Washington, DC.Gold ornament of human with earrings from Restrepo, Colombia at National Museum of the American Indian. Washington, DC.
Gold crayfish ornament (800-1200) from Costa Rica at National Museum of the American Indian. Washington, DC.Gold staff heads (500-1000) from Antioquia, Colombia at National Museum of the American Indian. Washington, DC.Display of Spanish swords & items plundered from the Americas at National Museum of the American Indian. Washington, DC.Gold ornament of human with earrings (500-1200) from Restrepo, Colombia at National Museum of the American Indian. Washington, DC.
Gold figure from Peru at National Museum of the American Indian. Washington, DC.Engraving of Columbus reaching the West Indies at National Museum of the American Indian. Washington, DC.George Washington silver peace medal at National Museum of the American Indian. Washington, DC.Thomas Jefferson peace medal at National Museum of the American Indian. Washington, DC.
Gold figure (1400-1500) from Peru at National Museum of the American Indian. Washington, DC.Engraving (1599) of Columbus reaching the West Indies at National Museum of the American Indian. Washington, DC.George Washington silver peace medal (1792) at National Museum of the American Indian. Washington, DC.Thomas Jefferson peace medal (1801) at National Museum of the American Indian. Washington, DC.
James Madison peace medal at National Museum of the American Indian. Washington, DC.John Quincy Adams peace medal at National Museum of the American Indian. Washington, DC.Andrew Jackson peace medal at National Museum of the American Indian. Washington, DC.Zachary Taylor peace medal with beaded leather pouch at National Museum of the American Indian. Washington, DC.
James Madison peace medal (1809) at National Museum of the American Indian. Washington, DC.John Quincy Adams peace medal (1825) at National Museum of the American Indian. Washington, DC.Andrew Jackson peace medal (1829) at National Museum of the American Indian. Washington, DC.Zachary Taylor peace medal (1849) with beaded leather pouch at National Museum of the American Indian. Washington, DC.
James Buchanan peace medal on bear claw necklace at National Museum of the American Indian. Washington, DC.Andrew Johnson presidential medal at National Museum of the American Indian. Washington, DC.Ulysses Simpson Grant peace medal at National Museum of the American Indian. Washington, DC.Benjamin Harrison peace medal at National Museum of the American Indian. Washington, DC.
James Buchanan peace medal (1857) on bear claw necklace at National Museum of the American Indian. Washington, DC.Andrew Johnson presidential medal (1865) at National Museum of the American Indian. Washington, DC.Ulysses Simpson Grant peace medal (1871) at National Museum of the American Indian. Washington, DC.Benjamin Harrison peace medal (c1889) at National Museum of the American Indian. Washington, DC.
John F. Kennedy inauguration medal at National Museum of the American Indian. Washington, DC.Medal with native designs at National Museum of the American Indian. Washington, DC.Medal with native designs & beaded pouch at National Museum of the American Indian. Washington, DC.
John F. Kennedy inauguration medal (January 20, 1961) at National Museum of the American Indian. Washington, DC.Medal with native designs at National Museum of the American Indian. Washington, DC.Medal with native designs & beaded pouch at National Museum of the American Indian. Washington, DC.
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All photos on this page are originals by & copyrighted by Jim Steinhart.
All rights reserved. Permission required to use.

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