Exist Dates
1898 - present
Biographical or Historical Note
- abstract
- Permanent exhibition. Opened approximately 1898. Located on Floor 4, Section 4 from approximately 1900 to 1910 and Floor 2,
Section 4 from 1910 to present (1, 1898, p. 32). The Hall of Mexico and Central America at the American Museum of Natural
History features the diverse art, architecture, and traditions of Mesoamerican pre-Columbian cultures through artifacts dating
from 1200 BC to the early 16th century. The hall has gone through numerous rearrangements and renovations beginning in 1900,
and reopening in November of that year (1, 1900, p. 19). The Duke of Loubat donated much material and provided financial support
for expeditions (1, 1901, p. 21). Expeditions that contributed to the hall included the Saville Mexican Expedition (1896-1904)
led by M.H. Saville, and the Lumholtz Expeditions (1890-1898) led by Carl Lumholtz (1, 1896, p. 20). Curators included Herbert
Spinden, Clarence Hay, George Vaillant, and Gordon Ekholm (1, 1912, p. 17; 1, 1929, p. 21; 1, 1966/67, p. 29).
Exhibits featured Copan, Maya, Aztec, Tarascan, and Mixtecan-Zapotecan artifacts, casts of calendar stones, pre-Columbian
codices, objects made from jadeite, gold, and copper, and ceramics. Casts of two stelae from the ruins of Quirigua, Guatemala,
including the Turtle Stone, were exhibited in another hall, Hall 202, to accommodate their great height (2, 1904, p. 17).
The rest of the Mexican and Central American collections moved into Hall 202 in 1910. The Mitla Restaurant, a Museum dining
room designed to represent the temple ruins of Mitla, was open from approximately 1910 to 1913 (1, 1910, p. 16). The Minor
C. Keith Collection of Costa Rican gold was in added in 1914 (1, 1914, p. 74). The hall underwent two major renovations with
a reopening in February of 1944 (1, 1944, p. 28), and again with a reopening on May 16, 1970, the latter as part of a 10-year
exhibition updating program within the Museum. In recognition of the Hall of Mexico and Central America, the Mexican Government
awarded the Museum with the Order of the Aztec Eagle (1, 1969/70 p. 3; 1, 1970/71 p. 4).
Many of the same exhibits from previous versions of the hall are still on view as of 2017, including the replica of tomb 104
at Monte Alban, the casts of Central American stelae, miniature models of Chichen Itza and Rio Bec, the Olmec stone head,
and Aztec calendar stone, as well as many exhibits of gold, pottery, sculpture, jewelry, and tools (3). Move to second
floor noted in 1910 Annual Report. 1910 Annual Report also indicates West Wing location.
1910 AR says hall moved to 2nd floor. Reopened on February 25, 1944 after complete renovation (1944 AR p. 54)
1953, 1956, 1958 General Guides indicate hall is located in hall number 2-B. Costa Rican antiquities in 2-1a.
Also some exhibits in 2-a in 1945, 1947, and 1949.
1964-1968 under construction. Opened May 16, 1970.
Sources
(1) American Museum of Natural History. Annual Reports. New York: American Museum of Natural History, 1896-1968/69.
(2) General Guide to the Exhibition Halls of the American Museum of Natural History. New York: American Museum of Natural
History, 1911-1927.
(3) Hall of Mexico and Central American. American Museum of Natural History, New York, NY. June 28, 2017.
Information for the hall appears in the following Museum publications:
American Museum of Natural History Annual Reports for years: 1900 (page 19); 1901 (page 21); 1903 (page 19); 1904 (page 22);
1905 (page 20, 25); 1907 (page 29); 1910 (page 17, 50); 1911 (page 60); 1912 (page 18); 1914 (page 74); 1915 (page 40, 43,
80); 1916 (page 44); 1920 (page 27, 103); 1922 (page 13, 102, 103); 1929 (page 21); 1932 (page 65); 1934 (page 9); 1935 (page
13); 1936 (page 16); 1937 (page 18); 1938 (page 11); 1939 (page 9); 1941 (page 34); 1943 (page 13); 1944 (page 1, 28); 1949
(page [10]); 1964 (page 4); 1965 (page 4, 5); 1966 (page 29); 1967 (page 24); 1968 (page 18); 1969 (page 3); 1970 (page 4);
1972 (page 30); 1974 (page 7); 1976 (page 31); 1978 (page 6); 1982 (page 60); 1985 (page 66); 1987 (page 4); 1988 (page 54);
1990 (page 60); 1991 (page 74); 1993 (page 79); 2010 (page 38)
American Museum of Natural History General Guides for years: 1904 (Table of Contents, 16, 17); 1911 (page 35, 38, 39); 1913
(page 47, 48); 1914 (page 51); 1916 (page 53); 1918 (page 35, 41); 1919 (page 37, 43); 1920 (page 37, 43); 1921 (page 37,
43); 1922 (page 37, 43); 1923 (page 37, 43); 1926 (page 37); 1927 (page 38); 1928 (Table of Contents, 46); 1929 (page 46)
1930 (Table of Contents, 46); 1931 (page 71); 1932 (page 71); 1933 (page 73); 1934 (page 74); 1935 (page 74); 1936 (page 74);
1939 (page 17, 22, 133); 1943 (page 17, 140); 1945 (page 17, 140); 1947 (page 17, 140); 1949 (page 17, 140); 1953 (Floor plans,
24, 176); 1956 (page 26, 176); 1958 (page 26, 181); 1962 (page 12, 43); 1964 (page 12)
American Museum of Natural History: An Introduction 1972, page 7, 15, 150
American Museum of Natural History Official Guides for years: 1984 (page 43); 1993 (page 38, 50); 2001 (Table of Contents,
61, 34)
Terms
- place
- New York
AMNH: Floor 2, Section 4.
Prior to 1910: Floor 4, Section 4.
Additional location information: Hall No. 402, c. 1904
