These beaded moccasins created by a Cheyenne artisan are among the 360 objects on view in the new Hall of Native American Cultures. An opening night celebration will be held Nov. 3 and a day of family activities is planned for Nov. 4 at the museum.

Peabody Museum opening Hall of Native American Cultures

A gala evening celebration and a day of family activities will mark the opening of the Hall of Native American Cultures at the Peabody Museum of Natural History. The exhibit showcases 360 objects from the Peabody's substantial Native American collections, which the museum acquired primarily in the first quarter of the 20th century. In the hall, museum visitors can take their first look at objects drawn from important Peabody collections in five geographic and cultural regions: the Arctic, Subarctic, Northwest Coast, Southwest, and Great Plains. These regions have in common the fact that native peoples in these areas were among the last to be strongly affected by Europeans and, therefore, show the greatest cultural continuity from pre-contact times through the present. The exhibit explores how the climate, local materials and ways of life affected the kinds of things made by Native Americans, and illustrates their ingenuity in coping with their surroundings and the scarcity or abundance of resources. Southwestern sedentary farmers, for example, made pottery and baskets, while the mobile hunters of the Plains and the Arctic used skins for containers. Household utensils, tools, rattles, drums and dolls are among the objects on view that manifest both skill and cultural aesthetics, as well as convey a sense of the family, social and ceremonial life of their makers. Historical photographs from the archives of the Peabody Museum and Beinecke Library are also displayed to provide a sense of context for exhibition items. Most of the material presented in the new exhibit was acquired in an era when it was assumed these cultures and traditional crafts would soon disappear. The exhibit illustrates, however, that even while under extreme pressure, native cultures continued to flourish. The work of contemporary Indian artists and craftspeople demonstrates how some of these cultures still find expression today. Frank Hole, the C.J. MacCurdy Professor of Anthropology, Yale University, and director and curator of anthropology at the Peabody Museum, is curator-in-charge of the exhibit. It was designed by Sally Hill. Native American foods, flute and drum music, other entertainment and theme decorations by brennan and Andy Rubenoff will highlight the special opening night celebration on Friday, Nov. 3, at 7 p.m. Tickets are $25 per person in advance, $30 at the door. For a cost of $50 per person ($60 at the door) participants may also attend the 5:30 p.m. champagne preview party that day in honor of Arnold and Lucille Alderman, the New Haven residents whose generosity made the Hall of Native American Cultures possible. For reservations and information, call (203) 432-5426 or direct email to peabody.special.events@yale.edu. The preview party is sponsored by Fleet Bank. The Peabody Museum will host "The Cultures of Native America: Past, Present, and Future" on Saturday, Nov. 4, from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Throughout the day, families can take part in corn-husk doll making, hear the folklore and history of the peoples of the Caribbean, enjoy native drums by the Silvercloud Singers, see native dance and much more. Tribes represented in the event include the Seneca, Wampanoag, Taino and Narragansett. Call (203) 432-3776 for further information. The family day event is sponsored by the United Illuminating Company. The Peabody Museum of Natural History, located at 170 Whitney Ave., is open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Saturday, and noon-5 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $5 for adults and $3 for children aged 3-15 and senior citizens. A visitors parking lot is located on the south end of Yale Lot 22, accessible one block north of the museum opposite Humphrey Street. For the InfoTape call (203) 432-5050, or visit the museum's website at www.peabody.yale.edu. T H I SW E E K ' SS T O R I E S Yale kicks off 300th birthday Science Hill was a popular spot during Yale's open house Museums welcome the public at behind-the-scene tours The sweet and savory tale of a 300-pound cake Peabody Museum opening Hall of Native American Cultures New Republic editor describes his political coming-of-age The new Gilder Boathouse is dedicated at a ceremony Comedian Bill Cosby to perform as a benefit for L.E.A.P. Albee to hold 'conversation' with audience Study equates early life stress, drug addiction NIH grant supports study of amphibians' deformities Cancer center will lead community initiative to bridge 'digital divide' Teasing about looks may play a role in binge eating, study finds Symposium will explore the claim that there is an 'intelligent design' to the universe Lecture celebrates new Robert W. Winner Professorship Books take look at African American stage performers Book explores conceptions of harems in art, literature Works by Kosovo refugee on view at Physicians Building Symposium will explore 'the portrait in American art' DMCA presents debuts of 'Convergence' and 'Ankle-Diver' Yale singers will present excerpts of famous opera scenes over two nights Music festival sponsoring Carnegie Hall concert Opening Yale 300: Images from the Celebration In the News Yale Scoreboard Bulletin Home|Visiting on Campus| Calendar of Events|Bulletin Board Classified Ads|Search Archives|Production Schedule|Bulletin Staff Public Affairs Home|News Releases| E-Mail Us|Yale Home Page