Museum Returns Creepy Human-Faced Smoking Pipe to Mohican Tribe
Published Date: 8/24/2026
Notice
Summary
The American Museum of Natural History plans to return a special ceramic smoking pipe with a human face to the Stockbridge Munsee Community, as it’s linked to their Mohican ancestors. This repatriation may happen on or after September 23, 2026, following Native American laws protecting cultural items. No money changes hands, but the museum is making sure history and respect go hand in hand!
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Handling Warning for Potential Chemical Hazards
The museum states that it historically applied potentially hazardous pesticides to collection items and that records do not specify which objects or chemicals were treated. Anyone handling this pipe should follow the advice of industrial hygienists or medical personnel trained in occupational health or with potentially hazardous substances.
Museum to Repatriate Mohican Pipe
The American Museum of Natural History intends to return a ceramic smoking pipe with a human face that is affiliated with Mohican ancestors to the Stockbridge Munsee Community. Repatriation may occur on or after September 23, 2026, and written requests may be submitted by lineal descendants, Indian Tribes, or Native Hawaiian organizations to Nell Murphy at the American Museum of Natural History, 200 Central Park West, New York, NY 10024 or by email at [email protected].
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this federal register document means for your household, plus every other regulation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile 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.
2026-17198, Gulf Islands National Seashore; Personal Watercraft
The National Park Service revises special regulations governing the use of personal watercraft at Gulf Islands National Seashore. This rule reduces the distance of flat wake speed zones from certain shorelines and codifies existing closures at West Petit Bois Island and the Fort Pickens ferry pier.
2026-16388, Powered Micromobility Devices
The National Park Service finalizes a management framework for the use of powered micromobility devices within the National Park System. The final rule defines powered micromobility devices separately from motor vehicles, traditional bicycles, electric bicycles, and human powered coasting devices, and creates rules for where and how they may be used in units of the National Park System. Examples of powered micromobility devices include electric scooters (e- scooters), hoverboards, and Segways.
2026-15406, First State National Historical Park; Bicycling
The National Park Service (NPS) proposes to issue special regulations for First State National Historical Park to allow for bicycle use on approximately 25 miles of trails within the Brandywine Valley unit of the park.
2026-14720, Notice of Inventory Completion: American Museum of Natural History, New York, NY
The American Museum of Natural History has finished checking 55 ancient items linked to Native American tribes near Croton Point, New York. Starting August 21, 2026, these items can be officially returned to the tribes that they belong to. This is a big step in respecting Native cultures and making sure their history is honored properly.
2026-14332, National Register of Historic Places; Notification of Pending Nominations and Related Actions
The National Park Service is asking for your thoughts on historic places nominated before July 4, 2026, to be added to the National Register of Historic Places. If you care about preserving cool old buildings or sites, now’s your chance to comment by July 31, 2026. This process helps protect important places without costing you a dime, but your voice matters!
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-17185, Notice of Inventory Completion: Beloit College, Logan Museum of Anthropology, Beloit, WI
In accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), the Beloit College, Logan Museum of Anthropology (LMA) has completed an inventory of human remains and has determined that there is a cultural affiliation between the human remains and Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations in this notice.
Next: 2026-17188, Government Owned Invention Available for License: T Cell Receptors Targeting HPV 6 or HPV 11
The National Cancer Institute (NCI) seeks research co- development partners and/or licensees for a collection of T cell receptors (TCRs) that specifically target HPV 6 or HPV 11 antigens.