Notice of Intended Repatriation: Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, State Museum of Pennsylvania, Harrisburg, PA
Published Date: 2/2/2026
Notice
Summary
The State Museum of Pennsylvania plans to return 10 groups of Native American cultural items, like pottery and pipes, to the tribes connected to them. These items were collected decades ago from sites in New Jersey and have been at the museum for years. The repatriation can start on or after March 4, 2026, with no costs expected for the public.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Museum to Return 10 Native American Lots
The State Museum of Pennsylvania intends to repatriate 10 lots of unassociated funerary objects (including pottery, pipes, chipped stone, groundstone, faunal and botanical remains, pigment, and related items) that were removed from sites in Sussex County, New Jersey, and Pike County, Pennsylvania between about 1931 and 2010. The items have been housed at the museum under various accessions and the repatriation may occur on or after March 4, 2026.
Three Tribes Identified as Affiliated
The State Museum of Pennsylvania determined a connection between the cultural items and the Delaware Nation (Oklahoma); Delaware Tribe of Indians; and the Stockbridge Munsee Community, Wisconsin. Those named Indian Tribes are identified as culturally affiliated with the items in this notice.
Who May Request Repatriation and Process Rules
Any lineal descendant, Indian Tribe, or Native Hawaiian organization not identified in this notice may submit a written request for repatriation if they show by a preponderance of the evidence that they are a lineal descendant or culturally affiliated. Joint requests are treated as a single request, and if competing requests are received the State Museum of Pennsylvania must determine the most appropriate requestor before repatriation.
No Public Costs Expected for Repatriation
The notice states that repatriation of the cultural items may begin on or after March 4, 2026, and that no costs are expected for the public related to this repatriation.
Your PRIA Score
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this federal register document and every other regulation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-04606 — Alaska; Hunting and Trapping in National Preserves
The National Park Service wants to update hunting and trapping rules in Alaska’s national preserves to bring back long-standing practices that support state-authorized wildlife harvests and public access. These changes affect hunters, trappers, and anyone using Alaska park lands, aiming to balance conservation with local traditions. You’ve got until April 9, 2026, to share your thoughts—no new fees or costs are expected.
2026-09876 — Denali National Park and Preserve; Vehicle Use
Denali National Park is setting a clear limit of 160 vehicles per day on the busy part of its main road during the summer visitor season, from just before Memorial Day to shortly after Labor Day. This change helps keep the park fun and peaceful for everyone while handling more visitors. If you have thoughts, make sure to share them by July 17, 2026!
2026-09904 — Notice of Intent To Extend Concession Contracts at Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area and Fire Island National Seashore
The National Park Service is extending contracts for businesses at Big South Fork and Fire Island parks to keep visitor services running smoothly. These extensions last until new contracts start or the listed expiration dates, so no service interruptions happen. This means the companies can keep operating without any immediate changes to fees or services.
2026-09517 — Agency Information Collection Activities; Archeology Permit Applications and Reports
The National Park Service wants to renew its paperwork for archeology permits and reports, making sure the process stays clear and useful. If you dig into archeology or work with these permits, your feedback by July 13, 2026, can help shape how much paperwork you’ll handle. This update aims to keep things smooth without adding extra costs or delays.
2026-08763 — Notice of Inventory Completion: Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA
Harvard’s Peabody Museum has finished checking its collection and found some Native American items from Santa Cruz Island that belong to local tribes. Starting June 4, 2026, these items can be officially returned to the tribes. This is a big step in respecting Native heritage and making sure these objects go back where they belong.
2026-08313 — Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget for Review and Approval; Research Permit and Reporting System Applications and Reports
The National Park Service is asking to keep using its current system for research permits and reports without any changes. This affects researchers who need permits to study in national parks and helps keep paperwork simple. If you have thoughts, you can share them by June 29, 2026, but no new fees or big changes are coming.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-02019 — Agency Information Collection Activities: Information Collection Renewal; Submission for OMB Review; Extensions of Credit to Insiders and Transactions With Affiliates
The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) is renewing its paperwork rules about loans to insiders and deals with affiliates. This affects banks and their insiders, who must keep sharing info to stay transparent. Comments on this renewal are open until March 4, 2026, so speak up if you have thoughts!
Next: 2026-02021 — Notice of Intended Repatriation: Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, State Museum of Pennsylvania, Harrisburg, PA
The State Museum of Pennsylvania plans to return 11 groups of Native American cultural items, like tools and personal objects, to the tribes they belong to. This repatriation can start on or after March 4, 2026, and involves items collected from various Pennsylvania counties over the last century. No money changes hands, but this is a big step in respecting Native heritage and history.