Hubbell Trading Post 1

We're getting excited about our next big adventure to Hubbell Trading Post National Historic Site which is just outside Ganado, AZ on the Navajo Nation Reservation.  Our home for the week of June 19th thru June 26th will be the hogan shown to the left.  I've also included a map showing where Ganado is in relationship to Tucson & Phoenix.  We're not quite in the middle of nowhere, but we're getting close.

I guess you might be asking what we're doing there.  About 4 years ago Cousin John and I visited the trading post and a few days later I was checking out their website and noticed that they had an Artist In Residence program.  I mentioned it to Betsy and told her she should apply, but her response was "I'm not good enough".  I disagreed, but she was the one that had to apply so I dropped it.  The next year she and I stopped at the post on our way to Canyon de Chelly, and I again brought up the AIR program, but met with the same response.  Finally, I wore her down and she applied last year for this years program.  It is a rather long process--providing examples of your work, getting recommendations from 2 or 3 professional artists, and telling them what your artistic mission is.   Sure enough, she was accepted.  Was there any doubt?  Her duties will be to demonstrate her art to visitors to the post, and donate a completed work to the National Historic Site.  In return, she and I will be allowed to live in the guest hogan. 

John Lorenzo Hubbell bought the trading post in 1878, which was about ten years after the Navajos were allowed to return to their homeland after being forced to relocate to Bosque Redondo (Ft. Sumner), NM.  During their stay at Bosque Redondo the Navajos were introduced to new items.  When they returned to their homeland they relied on traders like Hubbell to provide those items.

But Hubbell did something else for the benefit of the Navajos.  He encouraged them to continue their new found talent in silversmithing and rugweaving, and consistently demanded and promoted excellence in craftsmanship.  His encouragement and support of Navajo artisans is remembered and honored to this day.

Early in the 20th century artists began discovering the wonders of northern Arizona--Grand Canyon, Monument Valley, Painted Desert, Vermillion Cliffs, Canyon de Chelly, etc, etc.  Many, such as Maynard Dixon and Edgar Payne found their way to Hubbells trading post and he welcomed them with open arms.  Most left a completed painting or two as a token of their gratitude.  Hubbell's home is covered floor to ceiling with works of art from the who's who of early western artists.  It's truly astounding to see the works of these premier artists in this remote location.

In the 1930's, after Hubbell's death, a stone hogan was built on site to commemorate his hospitality to all who visited.  That hogan is the very same where we will reside.  A hogan is the traditional Navajo home and it can be made of almost anything--stone, timber, branches, or mud.  Many are round, but some of the fancier one's are octagonal.  The only rule is that the entrance is always facing east, so that the occupants can honor and welcome the new day.

The Hubbell family operated the trading post until it was sold to the National Park Service in 1967.  It still operates as a trading post, fulfilling the needs of the nearby Navajo with household, ranching/farming, and food items.  In addition, the post has an excellent selection of old pawn Navajo jewelry and rugs.  The trading post is the longest continuously operating post on the Navajo Reservation.

We're starting lists on what clothing and food to take.  Recently the weather in Ganado has been in the mid to high 80's which will seem like heaven to us lower Sonoran desert dwellers.  But in true high desert fashion the night temperature falls to the 50's!  We'll actually have to find and take blankets.  We've been told that there is no TV, no cell phone service, no internet, and radio reception is weak at best.  Good Lord, we might have to have a conversation! 

The big question, since Betsy will be busy painting, is what am I going to do.  That is a concern, but I am of the opinion that whatever I'm supposed to be doing will find me.  But just in case I'm taking a few books, a couple dutch ovens to cook in, my Native American flutes, a harmonica, some hiking stuff, and an I-pod. 

Betsy has a couple days off and we plan on visiting Keams Canyon on the Hopi Reservation,  Gallup, NM is an hour to the east, and probably another trip to Canyon de Chelly.

Hopefully we can find internet access and post to the blog so stay tuned.