Pre-War Okinawan Culture (Exhibition)

Exist Dates

1947 June - 1947 August 31

Biographical or Historical Note

abstract

Exhibition. Opened June 1947 and closed August 31, 1947. Located in Section 2, Floor 1 in the Grand Gallery at the American Museum of Natural History. Pre-War Okinawan Culture at the American Museum of Natural History portrayed life in Okinawa, Japan prior to the Second World War.

Summary

Pre-War Okinawan Culture at the American Museum of Natural History portrayed life in Okinawa, Japan, prior to the Second World War. The collection was presented to The American Museum of Natural History by the Department of Cultural Affairs in the Okinawan Civilian Administration under the U.S. Naval Military Government, Ryuku Island. It was made possible through the cooperation of Dr. William A. Hanna, Lieutenant in the USNR Military Government Headquarters at Okinawa, who also contributed a part of the collection (1, p. 1).

Highlights included (1, p. 1):

*Okinawan pottery, both contemporary and over 300 years old

*A model of a typical Okinawan house

This is a condensed summary of the exhibition. For additional information, see Sources and/or Related Resources.

Sources

(1) American Museum of Natural History. Press Release. "Museum of Natural History Exhibits Portrays Pre-War Okinawan Culture." June 27, 1947. Vertical Files. American Museum of Natural History Research Library.

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Related Corporate, Personal, and Family Names

American Museum of Natural History. Grand Gallery.
Location of exhibition 1947 June – 1947 August 31; referred to as the 77th Street Foyer in Museum documentation (1, p.1)

Hanna, William A. 
Presented and contributed to collection material exhibited (1, p.1)

United States Navy Reserve Military Headquarters, Department of Cultural Affairs, Okinawa
Institutional partner (1, p.1)

Related Resources

American Museum of Natural History. Annual Reports. New York: American Museum of Natural History, 1946-1947.
Page 17

American Museum of Natural History press releases, 1933-1990s.
"Museum of Natural History Exhibits Portrays Pre-War Okinawan Culture." June 27, 1947.

American Museum of Natural History Special Collections vertical files
Repository: AMNH Special Collections [Photocopies of news article and press release]

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