19th Century Anthropology Collections

The Smithsonian is a beneficiary of diplomatic gifts from foreign governments and the range and significance of the many gifts is explained by Anthropologist Deborah Hull-Walski.

19th century anthropologist James Mooney conducted outstanding research, especially among the Kiowa and Cherokee Indians with whom he lived, relates anthropologist JoAllyn Archambault.

Edward Nelson’s 1877-1881 Western Alaska Expedition was the beginning of the Smithsonian’s close collaboration with Arctic peoples to this day, as told by Curator William Fitzhugh.

The U.S. Exploring Expedition (1838-1842) collected many one-of-a-kind cultural objects, as told by Curator Adrienne Kaeppler.

Uncover the mysteries of the moundbuilders as Curator Bruce Smith describes Smithsonian research conducted in the 1880s that answered the question of who built the ancient earthen mounds in eastern North America.

Frank Cushing lived with the Zuni Indians of New Mexico, immersing himself in their culture, and significantly contributed to our knowledge of Zuni material culture, as explained by Curator Gwyneira Isaac.