National Museum of the American Indian

The National Museum of the American Indian is a large museum for Native American culture and history at the National Mall in Washington, D.C. The building's curved limestone walls resemble rock cliffs and canyons, and the interior is organized around a tall circular atrium spanning several floors.

The collection originated from the private holdings of George Gustav Heye, who gathered items from indigenous communities starting in 1897. The building on the National Mall opened in September 2004 and was the first Smithsonian Institution museum built specifically for Native history.

The collections show items from daily life, ceremonial objects, and contemporary art representing more than 1,200 indigenous communities across the Americas. Exhibits are developed together with tribal elders and their descendants, so the stories are told from the perspective of the communities themselves.

The museum opens daily from 10:00 to 17:30 and admission is free like all Smithsonian facilities. Galleries are spread across three floors, and a ground-level restaurant serves regional dishes from different indigenous traditions.

A circular space on the fourth floor offers wide views of the Capitol and surroundings through large windows. The east-facing entrance follows traditional beliefs in many Native cultures about the importance of the sunrise.

Location: Washington, D.C.

Inception: November 18, 1989

Architects: Douglas Cardinal

Official opening: September 24, 2004

Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible

Operator: Smithsonian Institution

Part of: Smithsonian Institution

Address: 4th Street and Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20560

Opening Hours: Monday-Sunday 10:00-17:30

Phone: +12026331000

Email: nmai-info@si.edu

Website: http://nmai.si.edu

GPS coordinates: 38.88830,-77.01660

Latest update: December 5, 2025 16:36