Photos from another research trip into New Mexico. This time I cleverly managed to get to Gallup when the George Galanis Cultural Center was actually open. It used to be the train station that stood next to the Fred Harvey El Navajo Hotel and is well worth a visit whether you’re writing a series about a Pinkerton agent going undercover as a Harvey Girl in 1890 or not.

The collection is small but choice. I mean, that’s a Mary Colter-inspired bench or I never saw one.

They blew up the famous Fred Harvey post card to poster size and then framed and hung it for our edification and enjoyment.

There is also, to my ineffable joy, a photograph of a Navajo Harvey Girl standing by the Gallup railroad tracks.

I think she and Clare should meet, don’t you?

The Center’s exhibits also include a moving history of the Navajo Code Talkers, beginning with the statue out front

and continuing inside with an entire room full of photographs and memorabilia including a timeline of how the Code Talkers came to be and a beautiful Navajo rug illustrating some of the Navajo words the Code Talkers used to describe enemy aircraft and ships.

There is also a small but exquisitely crafted and curated collection of items illuminating the Navajo history and culture, including a photograph of a sand painting displayed over a collection of the kinds of rock that went into making it (if you swipe in you can read the cards)

and this amazing identification of the traditional Navajo plant dyes used in their weaving.

As a mere knitter I am in awe.

Still a few copies of the signed first edition hardcover here.
Available in e on
Kindle US
and
Kindle UK

Chatter The Harvey Girl Fred Harvey El Navajo Hotel George Galinis Cultural Center Navajo Code Talkers