Harrisburg, PA — The State Museum of Pennsylvania has officially closed public access to its long-standing Native American exhibit, as federal regulations now require institutions to return human remains and cultural artifacts to tribes. The process of deinstalling and repatriating objects began in May and is expected to take months.
Officials say the move is part of updated requirements under the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), first enacted in 1990 and expanded in January 2024 to ensure compliance.
Federal Law Spurs Closures
The State Museum, which has acquired artifacts for more than 120 years, acknowledged that much of its collection came from excavations in the late 19th and early 20th centuries—before modern ethical standards.
Its inventory currently includes:
- 908 individual remains
- 79,628 associated funerary objects
NAGPRA requires federally funded institutions to repatriate or transfer remains and cultural items to descendants and federally recognized tribes. A report from ABC27 noted that while the law has existed for decades, many museums delayed compliance. The 2024 changes now give institutions five years to update inventories in consultation with Native tribes.
Museums that fail to meet these obligations face penalties from the U.S. Department of the Interior. However, enforcement has historically been limited—since 1990, only $59,111 in civil penalties have been collected nationwide, even though fewer than half of museums fully complied with NAGPRA.
Consultation with Native Tribes
The State Museum said it is working directly with federally recognized tribes, and has already repatriated dozens of remains and cultural objects.
“The State Museum is committed to creating a new Native American history exhibit in cooperation with federally-recognized Native Tribes and Nations,” said museum spokesperson Jay Losiewicz. “Native American voices and perspectives will be central to all aspects of the exhibit’s creation.”
The Shawnee Tribe confirmed this process is underway.
“The Shawnee Tribe’s Tribal Historic Preservation Office are in the beginning stages of meeting with the Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission (PHMC) for NAGPRA and possible consultation on future exhibits,” said Princella Redcorn, communications coordinator for the Shawnee Tribe.
Other tribal nations consulted include the Delaware (Lenape) Tribes, the Seneca Nation of Indians, the Tuscarora Nation, and the Pamunkey Tribe. Although denied land in Pennsylvania historically, these tribes are federally recognized and maintain strong cultural and historical ties to the region.
The Larger Historical Context
The closure highlights a larger reckoning over how Native American culture has been displayed in museums. For decades, artifacts and even human remains were collected and stored without tribal input, often in the name of “progress” or academic study.
Losiewicz emphasized that the new approach aims to correct those practices by ensuring stories are told accurately and respectfully.
The updated exhibit will not be ready for years. The museum itself is scheduled to shut down in August 2026 for a three-year renovation, meaning visitors will not see a Native American display until after the reopening.
Looking Ahead
While the decision marks the end of public access to the current exhibit, Native leaders and historians see it as a step toward honoring cultural heritage and correcting past wrongs. The consultation process not only returns sacred items but also ensures that future exhibits will reflect Native voices rather than outside interpretations.
“This is about respect and accuracy,” Losiewicz said. “The history of Native Americans in Pennsylvania deserves to be told through their perspective.”
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