[Aztlan] the NMAI

[Diehl, Richard]

Hola Listeros,

Alright, this has nothing to do with Mesoamerica strictly defined. However it does have to do about the National Museum of the American Indian on the Washington, DC's National Mall, a museum whose upper administration controls one of the largest collections of Mesoamerican objects outside Mesoamerica, yet refuses to display them or even acknowledge archaeology. It also highlights the value of CRM archaeology, a much-maligned but very vibrant part of American archaeology. 

Do you know what stood on the present location of the NMAI for more than 40 years in the 19th century? Mary Ann Hall's brothel, the finest institution of its type in Washington at that time, that's what! CRM work by John Milner Associates prior to construction helped fill out the ample documentary record on Congressmen's favorite watering hole, located very near the Capitol. The artifact assemblage they uncovered is more opulent than any other known from 19th century Washington. Madam Hall was so popular with the legislators of the day that upon her death in 1886 she was buried in the Congressional Cemetery. I plan to check out her grave on my next trip to DC. To learn more take a look at johnmilnerassociates.com