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The Milwaukee Public Museum has a representative collection of Lacandon material culture, totaling 113 objects and numerous photographs. Peter Thornquist collected the majority of the artifacts while visiting a Lacandon village in Metzabok, Mexico in 1979. The items were collected with funds provided by the Friends of the Museum and the Milwaukee Public Museum. The collection contains information on dress as well as domestic and religious life, including many unique and perishable objects such as feather hair ornaments, seed necklaces, and photographs.

The Anthropology department of the Milwaukee Public Museum supports and encourages the use of the collections and documentation for research, educational, and exhibition purposes. Any reasonable and appropriate request for access is considered. Given the significance and sensitivity of the collections, however, certain guidelines have been established to govern access, publication, and/or other uses of the museum's cultural collections and related documentation.

Reservations can be made by calling (414) 278-2714. We cannot accept reservations via email.
Field Trip Call Center hours: 9am-5pm Monday - Friday, 9am-3pm Saturday and 10am - 3pm Sunday.

The Milwaukee Public Museum has one of the largest Tarahumara collections in the United States.

Comprising 376 items, the majority of the items were collected during the 1930s –- a time when European trends were just beginning to affect Tarahumara material culture. An exhibit in the Museum located on the third floor within the Middle America exhibit displays only a small amount of the total collection. This section provides a more comprehensive view of the Milwaukee Public Museum pieces.

The History department of the Milwaukee Public Museum supports and encourages the use of the collections and documentation for research, educational, and exhibition purposes. Any reasonable and appropriate request for access is considered. Given the significance and sensitivity of the collections, however, certain guidelines have been established to govern access, publication, and/or other uses of the Museum's cultural collections and related documentation.