National Museum of the American Indian

Was so much looking forward to a knock your socks off experience, instead I encountered a minimalist, lifeless historical presentation of what should have been an enriching spectacle. A real shame. The building is great but is looking for a creative vision and curatorial integrity. A national museum should be the most thorough, dramatic, comprehensive, and educational– this experience was truly disappointing. The Field Museum in Chicago was far more compelling with a fraction of the $ and space. There is a sense of a cultural intermural struggle between the nations rather than cohesion. Maybe too much «PCness»
There needs to be an open completion to redesign the interior experience.

I went to this museum today 5÷1÷2016 in Washington DC. This museum is OK. i dont recommend it to anyone who wants to learn about the American Indian. The exhibits are hard to find; the cafeteria is huge and they have a large gift shop. I think this museum is for people who like to shop for artifacts and eat overpriced food in the cafeteria. they had some artifacts and exhibits but it did not seem like a primary concern for the museum. I also did not like the security they literally made me take everything out of my bag and then tried to rush me while putting my things away. i guess artifacts that were dated back to almost 1500 years ago were the best part but overall this is not a museum you will learn a lot from.

This was my first visit to this Museum which I had heard good things about since it opened. Its a big museum covering 4 floors. So here are some tips if you’re like me and haven’t visited in a while and we’re in the unfortunate day and age where you have to go through airport like screening to see the Museum. This is part of the Smithsonian Museum so getting in is free. However, when going through the metal detector please be sure to take everything and I mean everything out of your pockets. Me with my knack of getting in the longest line got in line behind someone who just didn’t understand this. Bringing a purse or backpack they will need to go through your bag. Otherwise the exhibits were interesting, and I will need to go back at some point when not accompanying teenage girls who clearly not too interested in the stuff on display there.

I can’t speak on the museum. But I can tell you that the National Museum of the American Indian has the best cafeteria of all the museums in the area. Now, be warned, it is overpriced, but atleast you’re getting something that’s a little more niche than the other cafeterias.
The cafeteria is separated out by region, with each station featuring the food of that region. There’s all sorts of «authentic» American Indian food (eg, fry bread, bison, pulled chicken). I obviously can’t speak to how authentic it actually is, but it’s niche. And that’s all you can really ask for along the National Mall.

The sheer intrusiveness of the bag search already warrants 1 star. I have a tiny shoulder bag and the woman poking through my things demanded I take out all my receipts and my rolled up earphones so she could «see to the bottom of the bag» which is 2.5 inches deep.
The entire first floor is occupied by the oversized cafeteria, and the second floor is dominated by an enormous gift shop. You actually had to search around to find the exhibits. I’m glad this museum exists, to highlight our strained relations with the native peoples, but the execution was definitely lacking and insufficient. Especially given that this is a deeply important part of our national history, I expected more.

One star for the explosive blue corn bread. Day old or even week old. Terrible meal. There other choices that great. When you see the blue corn skip that station.
Terrible!

This erstwhile warrior was unable to see beyond the lobby, since unlike any of the other Mall museums there was a metal detector barring the way, and I have been carrying a pocket knife since I was a Cub Scout. An otiose precaution; as one of my instructors at Fort Bragg observed, «the only deadly weapon that means [anything] is the one between your ears».

There was much excitement when this Museum, founded in New York City in 1915 (where it still operates a branch at the foot of the island in an historic custom’s house) opened on the Mall in D.C. in 2004, but a more recent visit was a sad experience. Their landscaping, particularly the «simulated wetlands» of which they had initially made so much, was already torn-​up for refurbishment, and inside there were more staff (mostly talking – loudly – among themselves) than guests. The building’s exterior curves are still a striking contrast to the Mall’s predominantly smoothed facades, but once inside and through the vast, barren multi-​story lobby, it was difficult to «find the art» (or culture) although very large gift and smaller food concessions were readily apparent! Those items that were on display were inadequately documented with little cultural context provided to help one understand where and why they were created. Native Americans, and indeed visitors from all cultures, deserve better.

As someone that is part Cherokee, I wanted to come in and see this museum and I was definitely glad that I did. Its designed like no other on Museum row and it’s amazing how well the design works with the flow of the American Indian. I was able to learn things that I never knew about different Indian tribes throughout America and how each one has a different background.
It was suggested from several different employees in others museums to go to the restaurant inside the museum and I’m glad that we did, it was well worth it. The food was a bit pricy, but that wasn’t unexpected, but it was very good and there was quite a bit of it.
I’d love to go back again and take more time in the museum than I did this time, I’d like to learn even more about the tribes.

It’s good that it simply exists. Perhaps as time goes by, there will be an overview and timeline for the specific nations. On the fourth floor, there are cramped booths about tribes, but the information is not presented in a coherent manner. There is no information on where these tribes were originally located and what was their fate.
Go into the area where treaties («Bad Paper») are displayed and you will see that the colonists and pioneers really were conducting genocide.
The souvenir area offers a wealth of books to learn more.

For one, I think this Museum should not refer to the original inhabitants of America as Indians. They are Americans. So it should say National Museum of the Native American.
Overall, I was underwhelmed. It seems as if they didn’t put as much resources and time into this museum as they did with the other museums. And a decent portion of the museum is occupied by a vendor selling Native American inspired jewelry. (I would love to know where the profits go.)
There is so much culture, so many artifacts, religious practices, rituals, and more that could be displayed and exhibited in this museum. But I left with little enlightenment. And I think it’s a damn shame.

There was a particular new exhibit on the Inca Road that I wanted to see in preparation for an upcoming trip to Peru. The exhibit itself was good but compared to other museums in town this one continues to disappoint.
Years ago I visited this museum and it really left me cold — perhaps I don’t have a deep interest in most of these topics but I think it is how it is displayed, curated, and presented. Though I do like the architecture of the building and the space I am not sure it works for this purpose.
Also on this visit it was swarming with grade school kids on a field trip and the whole place was one loud scream-​fest!

First, I loved the building.
Second, I came here to rest. There is just too much walking in DC. We sat down and watched a movie about the history of the American Indians. Made me sad how they were treated. I already know they were pushed off their land by the white man but I didn’t realize how bad it was and to what extent the white man forced the American Indians out. I didn’t realize how violent. I remember learning about it in school when I was young but wow, in school they just skim over things and do not make it sound too violent. I was schooled about the American Indian struggle from this little movie I saw. I quite enjoyed the movie.
We didn’t have much time left to explore the museum. It seems to close earlier than the other museums.
We did have some time to go to the new exhibit about the Incas and Machu Picchu. Look I’ve seen documentaries on TV and saw the exhibit… the only thing that explains everything to me is they are aliens or aliens helped them build this city! The mother ship came back to get them and that’s how everyone disappeared. They are Aliens! I know Aliens exist and stop telling me they don’t! Conspiracy!
I could care less about the cafeteria. The food in this area, in the museums, are priced on the steep side and the food is only mediocre, We had breakfast outside, we brought our own food for midday lunch or ate after the museum elsewhere when we drove away.

Went to see the Dia de los Muertos dances. Too bad the performance floor is surrounded on three sides by metal fences that go up just above eye level. The only area to view the performances is small and quickly over-​crowded. Staff is quick to scold you for peeking over the fences. What’s the point? #badarchitecture

3.5 Stars
The American Indians have a very special connection to the land. In one of the most gorgeous outside museum landscapes, the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian celebrates the American Indians deep connection to the land. In my opinion, the outside landscape was equally enjoyable to the inside. The designers of the National Museum of the American Indian created a stunning building and landscape. Surrounding the curved — stone façade that looks like wind-​carved cliffs is a lush green landscape of waterfalls and hardwood forests bordering the National Mall. Towering over the greenery are sculptures that resemble totem poles and a statue of a warrior.
Just like the American Indian, I have a special connection to the land. On my free time I enjoy hiking and spending time in the great outdoors. It was with a lot of fanfare that I toured this attractive landscape of waterfalls and hardwood forests prior to spending time inside the National Museum of the American Indian.
On our last day in Washington D.C., we had toured the National Air and Space Museum with the Smithsonian Institute. Before walking to the United States Capitol Building, we wanted to spend around an hour in a smaller museum. This museum that was on the way to the Capitol made perfect sense.
As I mentioned before, I enjoyed the outside landscape as much as the inside of the museum. The attention to detail carries into the four level museum. The museum tells a story of the history and culture of American Indians in addition to showing their everyday lives, spiritually, and contributions. The exhibits include Up Where We Belong, Our Lives, Window on Collections, Our Universes, and Our Peoples. My favorite exhibit was actually a multimedia movie shown in Lewawi Theater. The multimedia movie reminded me of a Walt Disney World attraction. It was well done. «Who We Are» was a remarkable introduction to the lives of the American Indian and ultimately the National Museum of the American Indian. In my opinion, this ought to be the first stop when visiting this museum. From the multimedia movie forward the exhibits flow as they tell the story of the history and culture of the American Indian.
The National Museum of the American Indian is my least favorite of the Smithsonian museums. But I am reviewing a Smithsonian museum here. And when I am reviewing Smithsonian museums, my least favorite one is 3.5 stars.

I’ve been teetering back and forth on this review but I really must be honest. I visited back in 2006 and for some reason had a more valuable experience (maybe I was caught up in the opulence of the place?). But returning today, I really wondered what I had learned from this place.
First of all, you can tell right away that whoever developed and built this, plunked down A LOT of money. From the finishes and décor, to the fancy café inside, everything was high-​end and premium. That much was clear. There were a lot of technological and interactive features that I know must have cost thousands. I will say their children’s cove area was pretty cool. But building an igloo? Balancing on an ice sled? What are my children learning here about the original inhabitants of North America?
I came in with a clear mission to learn more about the early Native Americans who came over the Bering Staight ice bridge and how that developed and how they migrated across North America. No one ever talks about North America pre-​Columbus! But as we wandered on each floor, we began to notice there was very little history and content to this museum. There was literally a gift shop on every single floor. $ 50 for a dream catcher? What a disgrace.
We sat in on planetarium-​style movie about Native Americans thinking this would be a great opportunity for the museum to delve into their rich and tortured history. Only, the movie followed a couple modern day Native Americans and how they live their current life in the 21^st century. That’s not interesting. I can walk out of my house and see that now. After the movie, we asked the curator where we could go to learn more about the historical aspects of Native Americans and she even admitted the museum has a stronger focus on culture. Anotherwards, you’re going to see display cases of vintage booties they would wear or indigenous peoples instruments they played. I guess that is cool to some, but if you’re actually looking to learn more about the history of the Native Americans, do not come here. The curator literally said we were better off going to the American History museum and looking for things on Native Americans. SERIOUSLY??? And by the way, we did go there next and found zero on Native Americans!
I just find this tragic. The millions that have probably went into this place and no one leaves with a firm grasp whatsoever on the history or plight of the Native American. In addition to being insanely curious about the Ice bridge theory, my great grandfather was also from a southern Native American tribe and I was hoping to see his path or gain understanding of the early peoples. This museum is a waste of money and a waste of your time.

This museum is such a great disappointment because:
1– Architecturally, this place is a huge waste of space and so ugly. They could put in many more exhibits but instead huge concrete corridors present visitors with a lot of nothing!
2– The exhibits are consistently poorly curated, seeming to aim at those with only grade-​school education. (What a tremendous contrast to the wonderful sister museum in NYC!)
3– The only beautifully decorated ‘exhibit’ is the overpriced large gift shop!
4– There was only one worthwhile exhibit when i visited — Nation to Nations about Indian treaties.
5– The high prices in the cafeteria are shocking. Be forewarned if you are bringing your entire family!
Bottom line: Not really worth a visit

I am going to be honest, I felt that this museum was not the best one in the area. The exterior of the building is unique with beautiful curves and no edges. The lack of edges makes the building look soft. I do understand, that in the Native American culture, edges have a negative connotation. The building really respected that cultural piece. I personally admire the Native American culture, so I really wanted to witness the museum to immerse myself in the stories the museum had to tell. I feel like a major theme was missing throughout the museum. The realities of Native American suppression by the American people. This building is going to make history for those young minds that walk into the building. We owe those young minds the truth.
It’s important to note that all of the DC smithsonian museums are free of admissions. I love how this building presents the culture of Native Americans with beautiful artifacts and articulate films. It truly is a dedicated building to show respect to the Native American people. I just wish it was more interactive and more honest.

The experience. When you enter the museum, you see that it’s really spacious. However, there are not that many exhibits which I found to be disappointing. The exhibits there were very educational, which I thought was good because I don’t recall learning that much about American Indians in the New York City public school system.
The food. I thought the food in the café was amazing! I ordered the five region platter which included the bison steak, salmon, and three choices of sides. It just made the overall experience just amazing. My wife and I were sad that we couldn’t try more different foods since we came here fairly late, the cafeteria closes at 5:00pm and the museum closes at 5:30pm.
Just as a comparison guide, I did go to the Smithsonian Castle, Natural History, Air and Space, American Indian, and American History (5 museums) all in one day. Although this was probably the smallest of the five museums I visited today, I have to say that the American Indian museum was my favorite.
Next time I come back to DC, I’ll definitely be coming here again.

An interesting and unique museum that does good overall job of describing the history and culture of some of the many Indian tribes in the Americas. The layout seems a bit haphazard at times when it comes to individual tribes but it does a better job in describing the relationship between tribes and the federal government. They do a good job of providing the perspectives of the tribes and government at the time and don’t hide the fact the government frequently used coercive measures to gain treaties, which it then failed to uphold.
As for the cafeteria, it really is unique with offerings from various regions of the country. Don’t expect gourmet (I mean it’s still a cafeteria) but it worth a try if anything looks good. Yeah it’s expensive but welcome to DC. The bison chili was tasty with a little bit of a kick and along with an order of fry bread made an excellent snack.
This museum is interesting and worth a look, try a bite at the cafeteria when you’re done.