Museum of the American Indian

A hidden gem! A great museum and a really special place. The docent is an amazing story teller. Wonderful for field trips.

Really tiny and the exposition is not what it used to be a few years ago, just a few masks and stuffed animals. Not worth the driving and the fee anymore.

A must see for adults and children. The real history of where we live and a wonderful hands on experience for the kids. I learned so much touring this place.

This Museuem and Native American Cultural Center rests on Native Miwok land. This was once the actual site of a Miwok village. There is a kids park with play structure and BBQ pits and loads of benches to have a nice picnic lunch here. There is definitely a spiritual vibe here. There is a small upstairs museum with many different types of woven baskets & photos with a gift shop. Downstairs there is an amazing array of Native items & instruments. Great to bring school kids! Outside there are a couple of «kochas» –native dwellings as well. Currently in a small building but has plans to modernize and expand. Worth supporting this local park & museum.

Avoid this place! The artifacts are of dubious value and the director has severe mental health issues. BEWARE!!!

This is very close to me and it’s an excellent museum! Not many people know about it, and I think that’s a shame. There are lots of artifacts and really cool information! The Indians that once inhabited this area are extremely interesting. Go visit this museum to find out all about it. It is time well spent!

I visited the museum in order to research a book I am writing. There needs to be a bit better signage. I didn’t see a sign indicating an entrance. Once upstairs in the gallery, it’s pretty much self-​guided. The volunteer working yesterday admitted she knew nothing about Indians. She directed me downstairs to the library where a very helpful woman gave me access to numerous books and materials for my research. This place needs expansion desperately… not enough space to use the materials at all… but still quite a lot of interesting material.

Really beautiful place. A small museum, but I’m impressed with how much is actually inside. There are two floors — be sure to go when the upstairs gallery is open. I had no idea this place was in Novato, and I wish I had known about it a long time ago.
The lower floor has displays and artifacts, some of which you can handle and touch. The upper level is bigger and has a very very nice museum gallery, with many artifacts and a nice gift store/​bookstore. I bought an autographed copy the just-​released book about Pt. Reyes Native Americans by Betty Goerke. The current exhibit is called «Precious Cargo» and you should go see it before it leaves — it’s already extended. When I was there a wonderful woman whose name I don’t remember was the volunteer docent in the gallery — she was fun to talk with and really informative.
I think this place is trying to raise money to renovate or improve the facility — I hope they can!

went on a school field trip with my son and i was amazed by this place. i never knew it was here, very hidden and very beautiful! we went on a good long hike, extremely breathtaking, the vibe was unreal.
the museum itself was small with many miwok pictures, art, baskets you name it was there, they also have a lovely gift shop.

The Marin Museum of the American Indian is on the site of a Miwok Village. The spirits are still living here!
The Coast Miwoks lived in villages from what today is Novato to Bogata to San Rafael. At least 600 village sites have been identified so far. I am sure there are more.
Originally the museum was just a repository, but today it is one-​of-​a-​kind collection and exhibit museum in the Bay Area. Originally just housing Miwok artifacts, today they have American Indian artifacts from across the country.
Currently there is a marvelous exhibit from the museums collections titled «Threads of Time» until January 2009. It tells the story of native weavers; weavers of beautiful blankets and rugs.
The Museum is open: Tues — Friday from 12 – 5
Sat & Sun from 12 – 4
Closed on Mondays.
If you have any interest in the history & pre-​history of some of the first Northern California inhabitants, this is the place to start your search. A wonderful Research Library is also available. .. if you are a writer it is a place to do your next book research, or to research your next film. .. or just to come and feel the spirits of our ancestors.

This small museum is truly a hidden treasure.
Their focus is on the Miwok and other local tribes.
Intricate baskets of all shapes and sizes.
Historic photos
Small but decent gift shop.
The school group tours they give are fabulous
and very informative.
Currently, Miwok Park is partially closed off
due to restoration efforts.