Public Meeting About Loan of National Park Artifacts to the Smithsonian’s New Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C.

Cane River Creole National Historical Park has been working with the Smithsonian's new National Museum of African American History & Culture about a potential partnership project. The Smithsonian is interested in the long-term loan of a number of museum artifacts from the park's collection. The Smithsonian proposes to use the artifacts in its exhibits now being developed that interpret the history and culture of African Americans. Smithsonian staff has worked with the national park staff to identify a number of park museum objects and cultural artifacts that would interpret Cane River life and the national African American experience for this new museum under construction on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.. In order to continue this dialogue and gain public comment the national park is hosting a community meeting to discuss the potential loan and exhibition of these nationally-significant Cane River resources. The National Park Service welcomes participation of plantation family descendants, traditionally-associated people, and other interested persons to discuss the inclusion of these artifacts from the park's museum collection in the context of significant national heritage. A presentation of the proposed loan agreement including the artifacts considered for exhibition will be followed by a question-and-answer session and open dialogue in which all attending the meeting may comment on the proposal.

This public meeting to discuss this long-term loan of park artifacts to the Smithsonian will take place at the Natchitoches Arts Center on Wednesday, March 13 from 3:00 - 5:30 PM.

Document Content:

Press Release Public Meeting 03/13/2013   (52.6 KB, .docx file) Disclaimer: Links within the above document(s) were valid as of the date published. Note: Some of the files may be in PDF format and can be viewed using the Adobe Acrobat Reader software. You may download a free copy of from Adobe Systems.