42 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



the customs, folk lore, folk music, folk ways, ceremonies, religious 

 beliefs, material culture and social organization of the tribal Indians 

 of the State, especially those septs still clinging to the practice of 

 their ancestral culture traits. 



The ethnology of the New York Indians is a fascinating and 

 an important subject. Nearly all major works on primitive society, 

 elementary forms of government and sociology cite the Iroquois 

 of New York, so much so that among the peoples of the earth below 

 the status of civilization the Iroquois have a conspicuous place. 

 Additional information is eagerly sought and its publication is 

 received with attention throughout the scientific world. 



3 The general public gains its closest contact with this division 

 of the Museum through our exhibits in the Museum halls. Here 

 are placed the specimens secured by collection in the field. These 

 specimens are arranged in several ways, namely, by individual 

 sites, by areas, by cultures, by groups to show methods of manu- 

 facture and uses and in groups so that cultural differences may be 

 compared. The sorting and classification of the thousands of speci- 

 mens is a lengthy and arduous task but is necessary in order to pre- 

 pare the exhibit. After an exhibit is installed it requires constant 

 oversight to keep it clean and in order. In the instance of the ethno- 

 logical exhibits and the Indian groups, constant care is necessary so 

 that the proper amount of moisture is provided and moths kept from 

 propagating. 



In our museum activities our aim is to provide exhibits that 

 are easily understood by the average visitor and which will be 

 interesting as well as instructive. The special student, however, is 

 not neglected and exhibits are provided answering the needs of the 

 specialist. 



It is interesting to note that our methods of exhibition have 

 been highly commended by experts and offered as an example of 

 how archeological museums can make a scientific subject popular. 

 Needless to say our ethnological groups have inspired other museums 

 to similar undertakings. Frequently museum experts come to our 

 exhibits for data on methods and arrangement. 



4 The Indians of this State living on six reservations and numbering 

 more than 5000, to a considerable extent look to this department 

 for information and advice. Frequently delegations visit us, coming 

 not only from the New York tribes but from Canada also. These 

 delegations and individual visitors generally seek information as to 

 their treaty relations with the state or federal governments, or other 

 documentary evidences affecting their interests and status. 



