The Museum hosts nearly 1 million guests each year to its exhibits, films, planetarium shows, classes and special events.
GORDON W. SMITH NORTH AMERICAN INDIAN COLLECTION
A portion of the new Fort Worth History Gallery has been designated the Native American Gallery. On display are more than 600 exhibit artifacts from the Gordon W. Smith North American Indian Collection, provided through a cooperative sharing program with the Houston Museum of Natural Science. The Houston Museum recently acquired the Collection with support from the Lillie and Roy Cullen Endowment Fund.
This nationally significant collection comprises a wide range of artifacts of the material culture of all the major North American Indian groups, including dozens of examples of beautifully hand-crafted American Indian necklaces and stunning examples of American Indian clothing. Items range from beaded dresses and vests, to beaded moccasins from the far corners of the country, weapons, musical instruments, and important examples of basketry and pottery of the Southwest.
Gordon Smith began his collection of beautiful and fascinating American Indian artifacts in the 1920s. He had a unique relationship with several American Indian tribes. These friendships drove his collection, as each visit brought more gifts and a sense that these amazing relics should be preserved. Artifacts include a leather rattler given to Smith at the age of five – the very first piece he acquired; striking, painted story bison skins of the Sioux; exquisite War Bonnets, created by members of the Lakota and Northern Cheyenne Indian nations.
“It has been of the utmost importance to my father and our family to have a significant ongoing presence for his collection in Fort Worth, where he was born and has lived his entire life,” said Dee Smith. “We are extremely gratified that we can continue our long family relationship with the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History through the collection sharing arrangement – and that the citizens of two great Texas cities will be able to experience the collection on a continuing basis.”
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