Over the christmas break, I had the opportunity to visit The National Museum of the American Indian (NMAI). It is located in the Imperial Capitol right on The Mall. The architecture is notable in its curvilinearity; there isn't a straight line inside or out. NMAI is able to accomodate a gazillion folks, which reflects its watered down post-modern presentation of so-called Native American life. Consistent with this po-mo approach, there is not a map or time-line in the building. A large wall presentation titled WE ARE THE EVIDENCE, lists the several tribes inhabiting North America in pre-Columbian days. The names are jumbled (more po-mo) and in no particular order, either geographically or size-wise. The NMAI has few descriptions under its sparse collection. For instance, 1,100 arrowheads are displayed without any indication of which tribes produced which arrowheads; like the tribal names, they are a jumble of finely crafted stonework and obsidian. Interpretation takes precedence over artifacts at the NMAI. If you thought you might like to attend, save yourself some time and go right to the Brickskeller for a Belgian ale.
I think the building is outstanding and there are some great pieces in the election, but unlike the other Smithsonian buildings, the displays in this are incoherent, difficult to follow and not very useful .