• Review the repatriation law and National Museum of Natural History Repatriation Office policy.
• Review the summary and inventory information previously sent to the tribe.
• Request funding for your trip through the grant program offered by the Smithsonian Repatriation Review Committee. Learn more about Travel Grants.
• Ask for clarification of any collections information for which you have questions.
• Ask us for any additional information that could help you better plan your visit.

• The museum's repatriation and documentation procedures.
• Possibilities of cooperative agreements between the museum and a tribe for the care and use of collections subject to repatriation.
• Traditional care concerns for objects in the collection.
• Objects or categories of objects that are of special concern.
• Possibilities for collaboration in documenting collections.

• Large collections may have more items than can be viewed in detail in the time available during the visit; it may be useful to prioritize categories of objects or specific items.
• Collection-related documents can provide important information not found in other sources. These include accession records, catalog records, photographs and field notes. You may copy any materials you need during your visit.
• Many objects that are classified as "Unknown Affiliation" might be identifiable through examination or documentation research. You may wish to look at these items and review their documentation.
• You may photograph and videotape objects, and transcribe or photocopy documents.
• The National Museum of Natural History has private spaces available for viewing objects or holding ceremonies, both at the storage facility in Maryland and in the downtown museum.
  

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In order to view the collections at the Museum Support Center, or to visit the National Anthropological Archives, also located at the Museum Support Center, an appointment must be made in advance. Repatriation Office staff will set up these appointments for visitors on a repatriation consultation visit. The Smithsonian offers free shuttle service from the Mall entrance of the Natural History Museum to the Museum Support Center. It is also possible to use the Metrorail system to reach the Museum Support Center. The Suitland Metro stop on the Green line is located less than a mile walk from the Museum Support Center.

AIRPORTS
Three major airports service the Washington Metropolitan area. Dulles International and Baltimore Washington International (BWI) tend to offer less expensive airfares because they are located outside the city, but check with your airline or travel agent. Washington-Reagan Airport is the closest to downtown Washington and the National Museum of Natural History.

Baltimore/Washington International Airport
Baltimore, MD, (301) 261-1000, 1-800-I-FLY-BWI
http://www.bwiairport.com
Approximately 30 miles from Washington, DC. Ground transportation options include train, taxi, SuperShuttle and BWI Express. One way fares range from $4.10-$55. Travel time to the museum and downtown ranges from 30-50 minutes by car.

Dulles International Airport
Dulles, VA, (703) 572-2700
http://www.mwaa.com/
Approximately 26 miles west of the city. Ground transportation options include taxi (approx. $55), SuperShuttle (approx. $25), Washington Flyer Service between Dulles and the West Falls Church Metro Stop (every half hour, $14 round trip, $8 one way). Travel time to downtown ranges from 45 minutes to 1 hour plus by car.

Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport
Arlington County, VA, (703) 417-8000
http://www.mwaa.com/
Accessible by Metrorail's blue or yellow line. SuperShuttle and taxi fare to downtown ranges from approximately $12-$15. Travel time to downtown is approximately 15-20 minutes.

Metrorail
(202) 637-7000
http://www.wmata.com
Metro is the local above-ground and below-ground public transportation within the D.C. area. Fares range from $1.35 to $3.90. Maps and farecard machines are prominently located in each station. The Smithsonian Station is located on the orange and blue lines. Be sure to take the Mall exit. Once above ground, you will be facing east and the NMNH is to the north. The National Museum of Natural History is a large white stone building with a blue-green dome, and it is directly across the Mall from the red stone building known as the Smithsonian Castle.

Taxis
D.C. cabs do not use meters. The number of zones crossed on a trip sets the fare. Surcharges apply for rush hour, extra passengers, and luggage. Minimum fare is about $5. Your taxi driver will not automatically offer you a receipt, so be sure to ask for one.

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