Iowa Museum Returns Six Native Funerary Objects to Tribes
Published Date: 9/9/2026
Notice
Summary
The Putnam Museum and Science Center in Davenport, IA, has finished checking its collection and found six Native American funerary objects linked to specific tribes. Starting October 9, 2026, these items can be returned to the rightful Native communities. This is a respectful step to honor Native heritage and follows important laws protecting these cultural treasures.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Six Funerary Objects Eligible for Repatriation
The Putnam Museum has identified six associated Native American funerary objects — two funerary vessels, two shell tools, one lot of shell ornaments, and one lot of pearl beads — that may be returned to affiliated Native communities on or after October 9, 2026. The museum determined cultural affiliation with the Alabama-Quassarte Tribal Town; Kialegee Tribal Town; Poarch Band of Creek Indians; The Muscogee (Creek) Nation; and the Thlopthlocco Tribal Town.
Who Can Request Repatriation and How
Written repatriation requests must be sent to Hailey Lorenzen at the Putnam Museum; requests may be submitted by any one or more of the listed Indian Tribes or by any lineal descendant or tribe who shows by a preponderance of the evidence that they are culturally affiliated. If competing requests are received, the Putnam Museum must determine the most appropriate requestor before returning the objects; repatriation may occur on or after October 9, 2026.
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