High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! John Canfield Ewers (July 21, 1909 – May 7, 1997) was an American ethnologist and museum curator. Known for his studies on the art and history of the American Plains Indians, he was described by the New York Times as one of his country`s "foremost interpreters of American Indian culture." He was instrumental in establishing the National Museum of American History and became its Director in 1964. At the time of his death he was Ethnologist Emeritus of the Smithsonian Institution and was the first recipient of the Smithsonian`s Exceptional Service Award as well as the Western History Association`s Oscar O. Winther Award and the American Association of Museums`s Distinguished Service Award.