New-York tribune., 1922-11-14
First Museum
OF Indian Relics
Ready to Open
Heye Foundation, at I55th
and Broadway, HOLDS Rec
ords of Races in Western
World Before Columbys
To Seek Red Mans Origin
1900, 900 Specimens VIII
Be Available for Public
Inspection Tomorrow

The Heye Foundation Museum of the
American Indian, which opens to-mor-
row at 155th Street and Broadway,
gives New York the only institution
devoted exclusively to the preservation
Of che records of the races living in
the Western World when Columbus
first touched It's shores. Among the
purposes to which the institution is
dedicated is that OF solving the mys-
terry Of the origin Of the Red Men
and it is possible that this may be
accomplished, according to George G.
Heye, founder and director of the
museum.
Approximately 100000 specimens
are contained within the four floors
Of the building. which is in close prox-
unity to the museums of the Hispanic
Society, the American Numismatic So
ciety and the headquarters of tho
American Geographical Society. These
specimens represent the civilization
and customs Of every known tribe that
inhabited North and South America
before the coming OF the white race.
The objects assembled in the muse
ums are intended to be Of practical as
we'll rs historic value. Manufacturers
Of textiles are making use of designs
obtained from the collections. They
have been studying also the vegetable
dyes used hundreds of years ago by
ances, are as bright as when they were
first applied.
Threee Floors OF Specimens
Specimens are assembled on three
foors of the building, which is of Ionic
architecture. On the top floor is n
large workroom given over to cleaning
and preparing the various objects for
display. A novel system of installa-
tion permits the public to see what is
not in open view without inquiring for
it. Under the cases are drawers with
glass tops, which may be pulled out
and the contents examined. Students
viii also be given access to large col
lections which are in storage.
Many of the collections are ar
ranged in synoptic form which permits
the observer to see all the inside tech
Mique OF the crafts Of the aboripines.
Inc making OF pottery, for instance, liz
shown from the rolling Of the clay
into long strips to the final glazing and
coloring processes. This same system
is used in showing how the Indians
dld their embroidery and bead work.
a thorough demonstration of the
customs Of the Indians of the United
states and Alaska is contained on the
hrst floor. One Of the most interesting
collections is number OF totem poles
from the northern territory of she
continent. In addition, there are in
Vulnerable charms and amulets. many
OF which resemble the fetiches of the
African natives.
Arranged According TO States
On the second floor exhibits are ar
ranged according to states, to make it
easy for visitors to find exactly the
thinga in which they are interested.
An Indian whaling canoe, fifty feet
long and formed from the trunk of a
huge tree, 10 perhaps the most striking
specimen, It contains all the equip
!ment used by the aborigines, including
lances' harpoons, and even the buoys
line to follow the wounded quarry.
The third floor is given over to the
records Of the tribes which were
furthest advanced among the Indians.
A. collection of the pottery Of the
Mayas is to be found there. The
Mayas had been extinct for years be-
fore the time Of Columbus, and were
old even to the Aztecs.
The board of the museum consists Of
Harmon W. Hendricks, James B. Ford,
F. Kingsbury Curtiss, Archer M. Hun
tington, Minor c. Keith, Clarence 3.
Moore, F. X. Seward and Samuel Riker
il. Mr. Heye, also trustee, is chair
man.