Accessing the Object Collections

Research
The NMAI object collections are housed at the Cultural Resources Center (CRC), 4220 Silver Hill Road, Suitland, Maryland. Research visits to the object collections must be requested at least two months in advance by completing an Object Collections Research Request. Requests are approved on a case-by-case basis contingent on staff availability. Researchers are assisted by Collections Management staff at all times.

Research may be scheduled from 9:30 AM to 12 PM and 1 PM to 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday, excluding federal holidays.

Collections Reports
The NMAI Collections Search site provides information on a representative sample of the objects and historic photographs in the collections. Comprehensive collections reports may be requested by completing an Object Collections Report Request.

Tours
The Cultural Resources Center (CRC) is not a public facility. Limited general tours of the CRC for Native groups, visiting museum professionals, scholars, and researchers are limited to 20 adults over the age of 18 years; accommodations may be made for larger groups upon request. Tours must be scheduled at least one month in advance by completing a Cultural Resources Center Tour Request.

Tours may be scheduled from 9:30 AM to 12 PM and 1 PM to 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday, excluding federal holidays.

Other Collections-related Inquiries
For appointments to access the object collections for purposes of repatriation consultation, refer to the NMAI Repatriation Policy.

For appointments to access the NMAI Archive Center collections (paper, photo, and media) or to obtain digital images, contact the Archive Center.