Rehousing Historic Native American Clothing and Textiles

FAIN: PA-51115-05

Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art, Inc. (Indianapolis, IN 46204-2707)
James H. Nottage (Project Director: May 2004 to November 2006)

The purchase of storage furniture and rehousing of 75 American Indian clothing and textile items, which date from the 1840s to the 1920s.

The Eiteljorg Museum has a distinctive collection of Native American objects related to native cultures of North America. Within this collection is a select group of clothing and textile items which are temporarily stored on open shelves made of foam core. Access to Native American culture bearers and other researchers is limited, handling is difficult and potentially harmful and the objects are exposed to light, dust and other elements. This project, following recommendations from a CAP grant, will re-house a significant part of the collection in a cabinet--designed to maximum conservation standards--which will resolve these problems and better preserve these objects.