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

American Museum of Natural History. Hall of Mexico and Central America.; Mexican Hall; Hall of Mexican and Central American Archaeology; Loubat Hall of Mexican and Central American Archaeology; Loubat Hall; Mexican and Central American Archaeology; Loubat Hall of Mexican Archaeology; Mexican and Central American Hall; Ancient Monuments of Mexico and Central America; Antiquities of Mexico and Central America; Hall of Mexican Archaeology; Ancient Monuments of Mexico; Central American Hall; Mexican and Central American Indians; Mexico and Central America; Indians of Mexico and Central America; Hall of Mexico and Central America
birth: 1898
death: present
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.