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LECTURE
Documenting the American West: Edward Curtis’ Contributions to American Indian Culture and Artistry
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Edward Curtis’ photographs are appreciated for their artistic merit and their ability to reveal the personality, traditions, and culture of the subject. Marian Hansson, Bureau of Indian Affairs Curator, will explore Curtis’ work and how his photographs have contributed to Indian artistry, genealogical research, and legislation.

Photographs and documents dispersed throughout local, state, and national archives are sought out and researched by many American Indians. Many have discovered document collections are a useful tool for researching ancestry and legal issues. Documents, such as the photographs by Edward Curtis, reveal information that can be cross-referenced with oral traditions.

Edward Curtis photographed Native Americans across the American West for over 30 years during the early 1900s. During this time he produced over 40,000 images which documented the traditions and cultures of over 80 tribal groups. His subjects ranged from children to renowned figures, including Geronimo, Chief Joseph, Red Cloud, and Medicine Crow. more

Special Assistance – For those in need of special assistance (such as an interpreter for the hearing impaired) or inquiries regarding the handicapped entrance, please notify museum staff at (202) 208-4743 in advance of the program. Special needs will be accommodated whenever possible.

EXHIBITION
Parks in Focus
Monday, April 20, 2009

The U.S. Department of the Interior Museum and the Morris K. Udall Foundation present Parks in Focus; an art exhibit to commemorate National Park Week.

The exhibit is composed of more than twenty photographs taken by Parks in Focus program participants.

For ten years, the Morris K. Udall Foundation has introduced middle school students, from Boys & Girls clubs all over the national, to the wonders of nature.

The Parks in Focus program connects middle-school children to nature through week-long trips to state and national parks. Learning the fundamentals of photography, ecology, and conservation adds to students' continuing engagement with nature. The Foundation provides cameras and teaches that nature is accessible, fun, and educational. Included in the exhibit are photographs taken by participants visiting Arizona, Maine, Michigan, New Jersey, Wyoming, and California in 2007 and 2008. more