Skinner (Alanson) Papers, 1890-1926

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Summary

Title:
Alanson Skinner Papers
Dates:
1890-1926
Creators:
Skinner, Alanson, Harrington, M. R. (Mark Raymond), Parker, Arthur Caswell, Oneroad, Amos E. (Amos Enos), Heye, George G. (George Gustav), Satterlee, John Valentine, Grinnell, George Bird, and Harris, William
Abstract:
This collection includes manuscripts, research and field notes, poems, artwork, correspondence, ephemera, scrapbooks, and personal papers of Alanson B. Skinner.
Extent:
3 Linear Feet (6 boxes)
Language:
English .
Preferred citation:

Alanson Skinner Papers, 1890-1926, Braun Research Library Collection, Autry Museum of the American West, Los Angeles; MS.201; [folder number] [folder title][date].

Background

Scope and content:

This archive includes material collected and created by Skinner, as well as material about Alanson B. Skinner.

The bulk of the archive includes biographical materials, personal materials, financial materials, manuscripts written and collected by Skinner, Skinner's obituary written by M. R. Harrington, lecture announcements, correspondence, research and field notes, scrapbooks, drawings, and other ephemera. Also included is an undated certificate of a degree of Doctor of Hebrew Literature from the Seminarii Theologici Judaico-Americani.

Biographical / historical:

Alanson Buck Skinner was born on 1886 September 7 in Buffalo, New York. He became interested in archaeology, specifically related to Native Americans, at a very young age and started publishing notes on his findings before he was 18 years old. Through the American Museum of Natural History, Skinner accompanied Arthur C. Parker and M. R. (Mark Raymond) Harrington on his first fieldwork expedition near Shinnecock Hills, Long Island. As a result of this expedition, Skinner was published for the first time, and it was the start of a lifelong friendship between Harrington and Skinner.

In addition to expeditions with the likes of Harrington, F. W. Putnam, George H. Pepper, and W. T. Davis, Skinner also attended Columbia University and Harvard University. Skinner was Assistant Curator of Anthropology at the American Museum of Natural History from 1907-1915, Assistant Curator and then Curator of Anthropology at the Public Museum of the City of Milwaukee from 1920-1922, and staff member of the Museum of the American Indian, Heye Foundation from 1915-1920 and again from 1922-1925.

Skinner was prolific in his writings and was published widely in the areas of archaeology and ethnology. He was also noted for his admiration and sympathy for Native Americans and became so involved with the Menomini that they adopted him. Skinner was also involved in professional associations, and was a Mason and a Shriner.

Skinner was on an expedition with Wahpeton informant, Amos Oneroad, when they had a car accident that took Skinner's life on 1925 August 17.

Acquisition information:
Gift of M. R. (Mark Raymond) Harrington, 1950.
Processing information:

Initial processing and finding aid completed by Jim Hofer in 1987. Completion of processing and finding aid performed by Holly Rose Larson, Project Archivist, funded by a grant from the National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC) in 2011.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Jim Hofer and Holly Rose Larson
Date Encoded:
This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2023-07-14 23:15:44 +0000 .

Access and use

Restrictions:

Appointments to view materials are required. To make an appointment please visit https://theautry.org/research-collections/library-and-archives and fill out the Researcher Application Form.

Terms of access:

Copyright has not been assigned to the Autry Museum of the American West. All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Head of Research Services and Archives. Permission for publication is given on behalf of the Autry Museum of the American West as the custodian of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained by the reader.

Preferred citation:

Alanson Skinner Papers, 1890-1926, Braun Research Library Collection, Autry Museum of the American West, Los Angeles; MS.201; [folder number] [folder title][date].

Location of this collection:
4700 Western Heritage Way
Los Angeles, CA 90027, US
Contact:
(747) 201-8448
rroom@theautry.org
Website