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William R. Sanford and Charles T. Forbes correspondence and sketches related to Native American archeology, Owens Valley,
California, 1927-1934.
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Title:
William R. Sanford and Charles T. Forbes correspondence and sketches related to Native American archeology, Owens Valley, California, 1927-1934Creator/Contributor:
Sanford, William R., creator, correspondent.Creator/Contributor:
Forbes, Charles T., correspondent.Abstract:
Correspondence and a disbound binder containing archaeological field notes, pencil drawings of petroglyphs, photographs, and
news clippings. The materials were compiled by William Sanford, an amateur archaeologist in Owens Valley, California. Along
with his friend, Charles T. Forbes and several other young men, he scoured the area, trying to document the recent and ancient
past. Louise Parcher, the mother of one young man involved, shared their interest and planned a museum exhibit. The group
founded the Eastern California Museum Association in May 1928 with Charles Forbes as the group's first secretary/treasurer
and its second curator. From 1929 to 1968, the museum was located in rooms in government buildings and received a gift of
a dedicated building in 1968. The materials include six days of typed reports of Sanford's field work in January and February
1927 around the Casa Diablo mine, Fish Slough, Chidago Canyon, and Benton. The longest is a four-page report of work on skeletal
remains at Greenwood Bridge near Stockton. According to a 1930 news article about petroglyphs in the Owens Valley, Sanford
was known as the relic hunter, but the 46 leaves with his many drawings of petroglyphs show his dedication to more than relics.
The glyphs are all numbered and lettered and likely relate to a map that is not included in this collections. The collection
also includes 21 letters from Forbes to Sanford dating from 1929 to 1934, many covering issues related to the management of
the museum. He also reported on recent discoveries, his discussions with the United States Secretary of the Interior regarding
the preservation of local petroglyphs and frequently reported on many fires in the area. Reports of discoveries are filled
with specifics related to how and where items or glyphs were found as well as interpretation of the meaning of the glyphs.
A few photographs are interfiled with the correspondence, including some of the interior of the museum.
Date:
1927 (issued)Subject:
Archaeological museums and collections -- California -- Inyo CountyPetroglyphs -- California -- Inyo County
Archaeological museums and collections
Petroglyphs
California -- Inyo County
California
California -- Inyo County
Eastern California Museum.
Sanford, William R -- Archives
Forbes, Charles T -- Archives
Note:
Purchase from Langdon Manor Books; 2020.
William R. Sanford and Charles T. Forbes correspondence and sketches related to Native American archeology, Owens Valley,
California, BANC MSS 2020/333, The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley.
In English.
Type:
Archives.Physical Description:
print
.2 (1
Language:
English