The Mitchell Museum of the American Indian originates from the collections of John Mayo Mitchell and his wife Betty Seabury Mitchell. Over the last 31 years, the Mitchell Museum has evolved into a cherished resource of collections and activities that introduce visitors from throughout the Chicago region to the cultures of Native American Indians. Operating as a 501(c)(3), with a budget of just over $300,000 a year, it is managed by a highly motivated volunteer Board of Directors.

The Mitchell Museum of the American Indian was founded in 1977 through a gift to Kendall College of approximately 3000 Native American objects by John M. and Betty Seabury Mitchell. Since that time the collection has grown through gifts and purchases to include more than 10,000 objects. In 1997 the Museum moved from the Kendall College campus to a free-standing building where it has been able to greatly expand its exhibitions and public programming. As a result, the Museum currently has a membership of approximately 300 with an annual visitation of approximately 10,000, including more than 5,000 school children. In addition to the full-time Executive Director, the Museum is staffed by a full-time Curator of Education. Two part-time Curatorial Assistants and volunteers assist with all other Museum functions. The Mitchell Museum currently operates on a budget of approximately $312,000. It receives funding from a combination of membership dues, local business partners, donations, sales from the Museum Shop, local philanthropic organizations, government agencies, and private foundations. Over the past five years support has been received from the Institute for Museum and Library Services, the National Endowment for the Humanities, the Illinois Humanities Council, the Illinois State Library, the Museum Loan Network, the MetLife Foundation, the William M. Hales Foundation, the Kiwanis Club of Evanston, the Rotary Club of Evanston Lighthouse, the Zonta Club of Evanston and the Park Ridge Indian Scouts. The Mitchell Museum is a member of the North Suburban Library System.