George Gustav Heye

May 6, 2024

George Gustav Heye, known for curating a collection of Native American artifacts, is discussed in this podcast. The episode delves into the complexities of his collecting practices and his relationships with indigenous cultures. It explores his transition from casual collecting to strategic curation, his collaborations with the University of Pennsylvania, and his efforts to establish a museum for indigenous cultures in New York despite facing challenges.

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Introduction

00:00 • 2min

The Legacy of George Gustav Heye and Indigenous Artifact Collection

02:14 • 11min

George High's Evolution in Cultural Collecting

12:50 • 6min

George Gustav Heye's Transition and Collaborations

18:51 • 12min

Vision and Challenges

31:20 • 8min

George Gustav Heye and the National Museum of the American Indian

39:05 • 8min

Legacy of a Prominent Anthropologist and Subversive Family Narratives

46:48 • 6min

George Gustav Heye’s work in curating a collection of Native American artifacts has enabled many people to learn about indigenous cultures. But his colleting practices and relationship to those cultures are complicated.

Research:

“Blaming It on the Women.” The Cincinnati Post. June 7, 1913. https://www.newspapers.com/image/761237680/?match=1&terms=%22George%20Heye%22%20
“Clinging to the Skeletons.” Hudson Observer. July 22, 1914. https://www.newspapers.com/image/1010104927/?match=1&terms=%22George%20Heye%22%20minisink
Dunn, Ashley. “A Heritage Reclaimed.” New York Times. Oct. 9, 1994. https://www.nytimes.com/1994/10/09/nyregion/a-heritage-reclaimed-from-old-artifacts-american-indians-shape-a-new-museum.html
“G.G. Heye Weds Again.” The Sun. July 12, 1915. https://www.newspapers.com/image/466303140/?match=1&terms=%22George%20Gustav%20Heye%22%20
Haworth, John. “!00 Years and Counting: Reflections About A Collection, A Collector And The Museum Of The American Indian (Before There Was An NMAI).” American Indian Magazine. Spring 2016. Vol. 17, No. 1. https://www.americanindianmagazine.org/story/100-years-and-counting-reflections-about-collection-collector-and-museum-american-indian
Jacknis, Ira. “A New Thing? The NMAI in Historical and Institutional Perspective.” American Indian Quarterly, vol. 30, no. 3/4, 2006, pp. 511–42. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/4139027
Krech, Shepard, III, ed. “Collecting Native America, 1870-1960.” Smithsonian. 2010.
Mason, John Alden. “George G. Heye, 1874-1957.” Museum of the American Indian, Heye Foundation. New York. 1958.
“Millionaire Banker and His Bride Direct the Excavation of an Indian Tomb in Nacoochee Valley.” Atlanta Journal. Aug, 15, 1915. https://www.newspapers.com/image/970075438/?match=1&terms=%22dorothea%20page%22
“Mrs. Heye Asks $78,000 a Year for Alimony.” Times Union. May 13, 1913. https://www.newspapers.com/image/557058568/?match=1&terms=%22George%20Heye%22%20
“Mrs. Heye Asks Mere $78,000 as Alimony.” The Brooklyn Daily Eagle. May 13, 1913. https://www.newspapers.com/image/55217487/?match=1&terms=%22George%20Heye%22%20
“New York Broker Loses His Yacht in Making the Discovery, but Doesn’t Care Much.” Daily Arkansas Gazette. Feb. 17, 1913. https://www.newspapers.com/image/140551335/?match=1&terms=%22George%20Heye%22%20
“New York – Mrs. Blanche A.W. Heye.” Times Herald. June 7, 1913. https://www.newspapers.com/image/79945850/?match=1&terms=%22George%20Heye%22%20
New Yorkers Divorced.” Los Angeles Times. Aug. 1, 1940. https://www.newspapers.com/image/385547238/?match=1&terms=%22george%20heye%22%20
“Search for Indian Relics Led to Romance for Millionaire.” The Washington Post. July 12, 1915. https://www.newspapers.com/image/28873246/?match=1&terms=%22dorothea%20page%22
“Should Keep Her Well.” Vancouver Daily World. May 13, 1913. https://www.newspapers.com/image/64394965/?match=1&terms=%22George%20Heye%22%20
“Sidelights on the Smart Set.” The Washington Post. Feb. 15, 1913. https://www.newspapers.com/image/28902833/?match=1&terms=%22George%20Heye%22%20
Small, Lawrence M. “A Passionate Collector.” Smithsonian. November 2000. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/a-passionate-collector-33794183/
“Tales of the Telegraph.” The Atchison Weekly Globe. June 5, 1913. https://www.newspapers.com/image/479884327/?match=1&terms=%22George%20Heye%22%20
Thompson, Bob. “Return of the Native.” The Washington Post. March 17, 2004. https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/2004/03/18/return-of-the-native/3dc64d4a-3f4b-4f69-92bc-0e0f466b0ea8/?_pml=1
“When application was made … “ Lancaster New Era. May 30, 1913. https://www.newspapers.com/image/559758414/?match=1&terms=%22George%20Heye%22%20
“Will Appeal Fine for Digging Indian Bones.” The Courier-News. July 30, 1914. https://www.newspapers.com/image/220103480/?match=1&terms=%22George%20Gustav%20Heye%22%20
“Would Arrest Man for Digging up Indians’ Bones.” The Morning Call. July 4, 1914. https://www.newspapers.com/image/552564029/?match=1&terms=%22George%20Heye%22%20minisink
Zarillo, John. “The Great Trolley Strike of 1895 - Part 1.” Brooklyn Public Library. Aug. 25, 2014. https://www.bklynlibrary.org/blog/2014/08/25/great-trolley-strike-1895
Zarillo, John. “The Great Trolley Strike of 1895 - Part 2.” Brooklyn Public Library. Sept. 3, 2014. https://www.bklynlibrary.org/blog/2014/09/03/great-trolley-strike-1895

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