National Museum of American Indian March 22nd 2019 March 26, 2019

Right around the corner from the school is one of the most interesting museums NYC has to offer. This museum is dedicated to the “Infinity of Nations” that lived across the Americas, from Alaska all the way to the tip of South America. The students were impressed by the contrast of the decadent architecture of this historic building and the refined artistry of the pottery and dress of the wide array of indigenous cultures represented in the collection.

In the current Taino exhibition, the students learned about the tumultuous effects that the European cross-Atlantic voyages had on the native inhabitants of the lands in the Caribbean Sea. But we also got to see how native traditions have survived into the modern day with conucos (traditional gardens for food), art and other customs. Afterwards, the students braved the wind and walked to Chinatown to try some Taiwanese cuisine.