American Museum of Natural History Research Library
author: American Museum of Natural History

The Way to Independence (Exhibition)
birth: 1991 July 12
death: 1991 November 3
Exhibition. Opened in July 12, 1991 and closed November 3, 1991. Located in Section 1A, Floor 1 in Gallery 77 at the American Museum of Natural History. "The Way to Independence" was an exhibition focusing on three related individuals of the Hidatsa tribe of North Dakota-- Buffalo Bird Woman, her brother Wolf Chief, and her son Goodbird.
Summary
"The Way to Independence" was an exhibition focusing on three related individuals of the Hidatsa tribe of North Dakota-- Buffalo Bird Woman, her brother Wolf Chief, and her son Goodbird. Through this family's experiences, the exhibition explored the Hidatsa tribes's journey from a non-industrial, clan-oriented existence to life in the world of 20th century America. Their stories could be told due to the extensive work of anthropologist Gilbert L. Wilson who spent 12 summers at the beginning of the 20th century recording information about traditional Hidatsa life. Wilson was aided in his task by his adoption into Buffalo Bird Woman's family. The exhibit presented more than 500 artifacts and 130 graphic images which depicted the objects and artistry of the Hidatsa's everyday life. Photographs, works of art, models, murals, dioramas and maps documented the changing lives of the Hidatsa and their nearby neighbors, the Mandan and Arikara. Guest curator for the exhibit was Carolyn Gilman, project curator at the Minnesota Historical Society, which organized the exhibition. Resident curator was Stanley A. Freed, the then-curator in the Museum's Department of Anthropology. The exhibition was supported by grants from the National Endowment for the Humanities and the Northwest Area Foundation. Other donors included the 3M Foundation, Northwestern Bell Telephone Company, and the Northwestern Bell Foundation. The exhibit was on view in Gallery 77 of the American Museum of Natural History from July 12 through November 3, 1991.
Individuals and institutions involved in the creation of the exhibition: Minnesota Historical Society; Carolyn Gillman; Stanley A. Freed; AMNH Department of Anthropology.