National Museum of the American Indian

While staying at the Westin Arlington Gateway we decided to make a visit to the National Mall and some of the National Museums.

 Our first Museum and our favorite museum:

 National Museum of the American Indian
Phone: 202-633-1000
4th St. and Independence Ave., S.W. Washington, D.C. 20560

The National Museum of the American Indian is the sixteenth museum of the Smithsonian Institution. It is the first national museum dedicated to the preservation, study, and exhibition of the life, languages, literature, history,and arts of Native Americans. It was established by an act of Congress in 1989., and opened in 2004.

Tthe museum works in collaboration with the Native peoples of the Western Hemisphere to protect and foster their cultures by reaffirming traditions and beliefs,
encouraging contemporary artistic expression, and empowering the Indian voice.

 The Potomic atrium which is the point of entry is the place for changing exhibits of music, dance, and other cultural events. While we were there we got  to  watch Native Boatbuilding Traditions: Ojibwe Birch Bark Canoe

The museum features 4 permanent exhibits

Our Universe (4th level), Our Peoples ( 4th Level), Our Lives, (3rd level) and Return to a native Place ( 2nd Level)

We even got to est in the Mitsitiam Cafe which serves meals and snacks based on the indigenous foods ofthe Americas. my choice was the Roanoke foods of Cheasapeake Bay Soup and corn and breads.  My husband choose the South western fare of Tacos .

I was also impressed with the grounds that feature 4 environments indigenous to the Native people of the Chesapeake Bay Region, including a hardwood Forest, Wetlands, Cropland, and meadow areas.  Cardibnal Direction Markers stones from Maryland, Hawaii, and Chile share the Landscape with more then 40 Grandfather Rocks reminders of the longivity of Native Americans relationship to the natural World.

Before we left my husband created a post card on the museums computer and we sent it to our home computer  POST CARD IS PICTURED BELOW.