Native American Clothing and Textiles: A Rehousing Project

FAIN: PG-50255-08

Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art, Inc. (Indianapolis, IN 46204-2707)
Amy McKune (Project Director: May 2007 to December 2009)

Purchase of storage furniture to rehouse dresses, leggings, Ghost Dance shirts, and other objects related to 19th-century Plains Indian history.

The Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art has an important collection of objects related to native cultures of North America. Within its collection is a select group of clothing that is 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 larger clothing items, including Plains beaded dresses, Ghost Dance regalia, quilled and beaded war shirts, and selected shields in a cabinet -- designed to maximum conservation standards -- which will resolve these problems and better preserve the objects.