Reference Reviews

Lawrence Looks at Books

Ethnic Museums and Heritage Sites in the United States. Victor J. Danilov. 278 p. Jeffreson, NC: McFarland, 2009. 978-0-7864-3916-4; 2008-38248. $49.95.

With the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum and the National Museum of the American Indian enjoying annual attendance figures in the millions, there is clear evidence on the part of the public in our nation’s ethnic heritage. However, there is no requirement that students, families or researchers make a pilgrimage to the nation’s capital to explore that rich history. There are hundreds of museums, art galleries and historic sites with collections documenting the contributions of many groups that make up the melting pot of America. From the Great Hall of Ellis Island to the Spanish missions of California, many institutions introduce visitors to the experiences of both immigrant and native cultures in the United States. These sites are important resources for education, history and the preservation of cultural identity. Victor Danilov’s directory highlights the availability of more than 1,100 ethnic heritage related sites. His guide is arranged alphabetical first by ethnic group, then by name of the site. Large sections may be subdivided by type of institution. The featured organizations include museums, galleries, historic sites and gardens. Each entry describes the facility as well as its collections and programs. Opening schedules also are provided. Contact information includes address, phone numbers, web sites and emails. All told, 55 ethnic groups and multicultural institutions are represented. The groups indentified are primarily of European descent, since the many North American tribes are grouped together under the heading “Native Americans.” The latter includes more than 300 institutions and it would have been nice if the different tribes had been indexed separately. Otherwise, African American, Jewish, German, Spanish and Hispanic groups are the most numerous. However, those seeking information on Cambodian, Chinese, Finnish, Greek, Italian museums or many other ethnic groups, will find this volume a useful resource.