The American Museum of Natural History has announced the closure of two major halls that exhibit Native American objects, in response to new federal regulations. These regulations, issued by the Biden administration, now require museums to obtain consent from tribes before displaying or performing research on cultural items. In a letter to the museum’s staff, Sean Decatur, the museum’s president, stated that the closure of these halls is a necessary step in acknowledging and correcting past disrespect towards Indigenous peoples. The museum plans to review its collection to ensure compliance with the new rules, which took effect this month. Other museums across the country have also taken similar measures, covering up displays and removing items as they navigate the updated regulations. With the American Museum of Natural History’s closure impacting 10,000 square feet of exhibition space, this action sends a powerful message to the field and raises questions about the future of Native American displays in museums.
The American Museum of Natural History closing two major halls
The American Museum of Natural History has recently announced the closure of two major halls that exhibit Native American objects. This decision comes as many museums across the nation respond to updated policies from the Biden administration. The new federal regulations now require museums to obtain consent from tribes before displaying or performing research on cultural items. In a letter to the museum’s staff, the museum’s president, Sean Decatur, expressed that the halls being closed are artifacts of a time when museums did not respect the values and perspectives of Indigenous peoples. The closure of the Eastern Woodlands and Great Plains galleries is accompanied by the covering of other display cases featuring Native American cultural items. The museum will be reviewing its extensive collection to ensure compliance with the new regulations.
Museums across the country responding to new regulations
In response to the new federal regulations, museums all over the United States have been taking precautionary measures to cover up displays. Curators are working diligently to determine whether these displays can still be shown under the updated policies. For example, the Field Museum in Chicago has covered some display cases, while the Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology at Harvard University has decided to remove all funerary belongings from exhibition. The Cleveland Museum of Art has also covered up some cases, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York has already removed approximately 20 items from its musical instruments galleries. However, the closure of two major halls at the American Museum of Natural History, which is visited by millions of people each year, sends a particularly strong message to the museum community as a whole.
The American Museum of Natural History’s anthropology department
The anthropology department at the American Museum of Natural History holds great importance and has a distinguished reputation. It is considered one of the oldest and most prestigious anthropology departments in the United States. Throughout its history, the department has made significant contributions to the field, with renowned curators such as Franz Boas and Margaret Mead leading the way. Their pioneering work has shaped the study of anthropology and continues to influence the field to this day. The closure of the two major halls is likely to have a significant impact on the department and its ongoing research efforts.
Uncertainty surrounding reopening exhibits
One of the challenges faced by the American Museum of Natural History and other museums is the absence of a clear timeline for reopening exhibits affected by the new federal regulations. While the closure of the Eastern Woodlands and Great Plains galleries is temporary, there is uncertainty about when they will be reopened. The museum’s president, Sean Decatur, stated that some objects may never return to display as a result of the consultation process required by the new regulations. This uncertainty leaves museum staff and visitors alike waiting to see how the exhibits will ultimately be affected.
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Conclusion
The closure of two major halls at the American Museum of Natural History marks a significant response to the new federal regulations regarding the display and research of Native American cultural items. Museums across the country are grappling with how to navigate these updated policies, with many choosing to cover up displays as a precautionary measure. The American Museum of Natural History’s anthropology department, known for its rich history of contributions to the field, will undoubtedly be affected by the closure. The absence of a clear timeline for reopening exhibits adds to the uncertainty surrounding the impact of these regulations. As museums continue to review their collections and adjust their programs, it remains to be seen how the landscape of museum exhibits will evolve in response to these new regulations.
