National Indo-American Museum

NIAM has a home!

Thanks to the generosity of Umang and Paragi Patel, the National Indo-American Museum (NIAM), takes residence at its first “brick and mortar” home at 815 S Main Street, in Lombard, Illinois. The Umang and Paragi Patel Center opens to the public on Saturday, October 16, 2021 with its inaugural exhibition, E/Merge: Art of the Indian Diaspora.

The NATIONAL INDO-AMERICAN MUSEUM builds bridges across generations and connects cultures through the diverse, colorful stories of all Indian Americans.

Watch for news on our next exhibition opening this summer!

Donate

Your tax-deductible gift will help us support current and future programs and exhibitions and serve as a legacy for generations to come.

Why give to NIAM?

Would you like to make a contribution to the National Indo-American Museum?

Click below to donate online using your PayPal account.

The National Indo-American Museum
Welcomes Executive Director
Tamara Biggs

Marking another significant milestone, the National Indo-American Museum is honored to welcome it’s very first Executive Director, Tamara Biggs into the NIAM family!

“I still remember taking the bus to the St. Louis Art Museum in Forest Park for a free art appreciation camp one summer. That really cemented my love for museums. Add to that my wide-ranging curiosity and artistic skills.” – Tamara BiggsClick here to know more.

Events

Covid protocols

As of March 1, 2022, following guidance from the CDC and the Illinois Department of Public Health, NIAM no longer requires visitors or staff to wear masks.

Individuals displaying flu-like symptoms or who have recently been exposed to the virus are requested to stay home.
We will continue to monitor the situation and revise our COVID protocols as necessary.

For more information visit cdc.gov.

Indra Nooyi at NIAM GALA 2019

NIAM’s Gandhi Peace Program

Pravasi Bharatiya Divas

The annual Pravasi Bharatiya Divas event was hosted by the Consulate General Of India, Chicago in association with the National Indo-American Museum (NIAM).

The virtual event was held on Saturday, January 22, 2022 to commemorate the contributions of the Indian Diaspora. Invitees included a few major donors, supporters of NIAM and guests of the Consul General.

The Consul General marked the event by highlighting the journey of the Indian immigrants to the US, their significant role in the larger community and NIAM’s work in documenting their story.

The National Indo-American Museum then showcased a preview of their Oral History Project: First Voices, scheduled to go live in March 2022, which collects these stories, transcribes them into digital formats and makes them accessible to the public.

NIAM’s Oral History project began documenting these histories from 2008, they represent the first wave of immigrants from India to Chicagoland, who came before 1980. These collections also captures voices of people in both, the later stages of life, and the young who have planted firm roots in America.

The final part of the presentation features a brief showcase of NIAM’s year-round calendar of diverse outreach programs and offerings.

About Us

Successful and highly regarded programs and exhibits as well as collaborations with leading Chicago institutions have established the museum’s reputation since its incorporation as a 501(c)3 organization in 2008. In recognition of its role as the first and only institution of its kind in the country dedicated to documenting, preserving and sharing the full spectrum of the Indian American experience in all its linguistic, religious, socio-economic and regional diversity, the museum changed its name from the Indo-American Heritage Museum to the National Indo-American Museum. Click here to know more.

Our Values

ENGAGEMENT

Input from across generations, within and beyond the community, keeps us responsive to ideas and issues and true to our grass roots origins. We engage with the elders and with younger generations to document the past and build leadership for the future.

INCLUSIVENESS

As keeper and teller of stories of an incredibly diverse Indian American community, secularity and inclusiveness are in our very DNA and essential to our existence.

COLLABORATION

Collaboration, partnership and sharing are key elements that define us as an umbrella organization.

RELEVANCE

By relating aspects of Indian American history and heritage to contemporary issues and contemporary forms of expression, we aim to keep the stories from the community alive and especially meaningful to our younger audiences.

OUR PROGRAMS

Ethnic Dialogue

Taste of India

Sacred Sites

Cultural Outreach

We are grateful for all the good work that you have done for the Indo-American community.

Alpita

Speakers were wise, thoughtful. Please thank them for sharing with us so lovingly.Program participant, North Shore Senior Center, Northfield, IL

As a teacher, I value the rich first-hand accounts that NIAM volunteers share with my students about daily life in contemporary India, and the past and current experiences of Indians living in Chicago. Through these stories the powerful theme of diversity comes through beautifully!Michael Tajchman, third grade teacher, Ravenswood Elementary, Chicago Public Schools

I’m very interested in your activities and Indian Culture is my life.

Saliou Beye

Since its founding in 2008, the Museum has been committed to honoring the Indo-American experience by means of hosting numerous programs that showcase immigrant history, document achievements of Indian Americans, and enable cross-cultural exchanges. These initiatives have allowed people to delve into the rich culture of the Indian diaspora in the United States. Your unique organization has inspired a deeper appreciation for Indo-American culture, and all who contribute to the success of the Museum can take pride in that.Raja Krishnamoorthi, U.S. House of Representatives, 8th District of Illinois

People of Indian origin have been coming to the United States in search of education, innovation and economic uplift. They have contributed to this great country in all walks of life, while securing their family’s future…The Museum is dedicated to educating future generations about our history and heritage.

Umang Patel