Noel Stowe Receives Governor's Preservation Award, Mary Jane Colter, Solstice Celebrations

- ASU Professor Noel Stowe Receives Arizona Preservation Award: Professor Noel Stowe is being honored for his outstanding achievements in preserving Arizona’s historic resources through the public history program he guides at Arizona State University. He received the 2008 Governor's Heritage Preservation Honor Award and was recognized June 13 at the Arizona Statewide Historic Preservation Partnership Conference.
http://asunews.asu.edu/20080613_noelstowe

- The Architectural Legacy of Mary Jane Colter: Called “the best-known unknown architect in the national parks,” Mary Jane Colter has long been an almost invisible figure in national park history. Each year, as many as 5 million visitors pass through the collection of buildings she designed or decorated in Grand Canyon National Park, most without a hint of the brilliant, stubborn, chain-smoking visionary behind their creation.
http://www.npca.org/magazine/2008/spring/mary-jane-colter-architect.html

- Homolovi Ruins State Park Near Winslow Arizona Celebrates Suvoyuki Day: "Suvoyuki" translated in the Hopi language means to accomplish work through at "joint effort." "Suvoyuki Day"(July 12, 2008) is an open house day at Homolovi Ruins State Park that celebrates the partners who have helped to protect and save Homolovi area archaeological and cultural sites from destruction.
http://www.gatewaytosedona.com/article/id/1838/page/1

- FBI Returns Stolen Art to Indio Museum: A collection of rare American Indian artifacts worth up to $160,000 was returned to its owners Friday after an investigation that began three years ago when thieves broke into an Indio museum and spirited the treasures away in garbage bags.
http://www.cdarc.org/page/5ptv - LA Times, site may require free user registration.

- Park Service Employees Question the Value of a Million Dollar Utah Gathering: Leaders of the National Park Service will gather next month at a private resort in the Utah mountains for a summit meeting that some career officials say feels more like a $1 million exercise in political promotion.
http://www.cdarc.org/page/3fya - Yahoo News

- New Publication Examines the Comanche, as the "Spartans of the Plains:" At the beginning of the eighteenth century the Comanche were a small tribe of hunter-gatherers in New Mexico. Once they acquired the use of horses, in three generations they evolved into the 'Spartans of the plains' and provided the fiercest of all Native American resistance to the Anglo-Hispanic conquest of the American West. For a hundred years from 1750, the Comanche dominated New Mexico, Texas and even parts of Louisiana and northern Mexico. As Amerindians, the Comanche were even more impressive than the Aztecs or the Iroquois, for until the American Civil War they largely forced Europeans to bend the knee, and did so moreover when the European imperialist impulse was at its height. Although the word 'empire' may be author's hyperbole, the Comanche ruled an extensive domain that worked on a mélange of kinship ties, trade, diplomacy, extortion and violence.
http://www.literaryreview.co.uk/mclynn_06_08.html

Summer Solstice Celebration at Chaco Canyon: Most people living in northwestern New Mexico know about Chaco Culture National Historic Park and its huge kivas. But how often do local residents take advantage of the park’s camping, tours, lectures and trails? With the price of gas this year limiting travel by car, Chaco Canyon is a fine destination for those looking for a break but who find New York too far to travel.
http://www.gallupindependent.com/2008/06June/061108chaco.html

Arizona State Museum Offers Solstice Celebration in Tucson: Marking the Soltice: A Multicultural Celebration. Come early for a 2:30pm screening of “The Mystery of Chaco Canyon.” Narrated by Robert Redford, this film explores the astronomical brilliance of the Anasazi people as revealed by the architecture at the famous New Mexico site. After the screening, discuss the issues and questions raised in the film with ASM archaeologist Rich Lange. Starting at 4:30pm, you’ll enjoy hands-on activities, songs, stories, dances, and presentations relating to the sun and moon, stars and rain, planting and harvesting from a variety of cultures. Discover desert resources and solar energy, look to the stars, enjoy cultural traditions, eat, play and celebrate. A new collaborative performance by Flam Chen and the Seven Pipers Scottish Society caps off the event. It's a full evening of FREE family fun! See the complete list of performances, demonstrations, and hands-on activities at http://www.statemuseum.arizona.edu/events/solstice/index.shtml

- Lecture Opportunity, Tucson: "Landscapes of Fraud, the Tohono O'odham and the Baca Float:: Monday, June 16th, 2008. Dr Thomas Sheridan of the University of Arizona's Southwest Center will speak at the Arizona Archaeological and Historical Society's monthly meeting. 7:30 pm at the Duval auditorium, University Medical Center, 1501 N. Campbell, Tucson

- Lecture Opportunity, Tucson: "What Do We Do with Our Ancestors?" Wednesday June 18, 2008. Free presentation at Arizona Senior Academy, 13701 E. Old Spanish Trail, Tucson, Arizona. 2:30-4:30 p.m. Ever since archaeology became an intellectual pursuit many archaeologists have held that all materials left behind by ancient peoples - including human remains - are proper subjects for scientific study and that these materials should be preserved in museums to keep them accessible for future studies. However, many Native Americans and others believe human remains and grave objects should not be subjected to scientific studies, and that these remains should be respectfully reburied once disturbed. No reservations needed. For meeting details contact Kathie Van Brunt at
Tucson telephone 520-647-0980 or info@arizonasenioracademy.org; for information about the presentation subject matter contact Allen Dart at Tucson telephone 520-798-1201 or adart@oldpueblo.org.

- Lecture Opportunity, Tucson: "Artifacts of Ancient Americans: An Arrowhead Making and Flintknapping Demonstration." Thursday June 19, 2008 Old Pueblo Archaeology Center's "Third Thursdays" free presentation. Flintknapper Sam Greenleaf at Old Pueblo Archaeology Center, 5100 W. Ina Road Bldg. 8 (northwestern Tucson metro area).
7:30 to 9 p.m. All known ancient cultures of the Americas created projectile points
(arrowheads or spearpoints) and other objects from stone by flintknapping, which is the process of intentionally chipping stone materials to produce artifacts. In this program modern flintknapper Sam Greenleaf gives a direct demonstration of how arrowheads and spearpoints are made from stone to better understand how ancient people made and used
stone artifacts. No reservations needed. 520-798-1201 or adart@oldpueblo.org.

- Chavín de Huántar is the Topic of the Latest Video on the Archaeology Channel: The rise of the Chavin Culture, far predating the Inca, was a milestone in the long development of Andean Civilization. Intensive research and conservation work at the urban center of Chavin is the subject of Treasure in the Andes: Chavin de Huantar, Peru, the latest video feature on our nonprofit streaming-media Web site, The Archaeology Channel
http://www.archaeologychannel.org

- Internship Opportunity: The American Rock Art Research Association’s (ARARA) archive collection is housed at the Deer Valley Rock Art Center (DVRAC). This extensive collection includes photographic prints, slides and printed materials.
We are currently seeking an energetic intern that will help us to ensure the long-term preservation of the collection and make it an accessible and useful resource for the researchers. Duties: Assess, organize, catalog, and digitize the ARARA archive collection and determine the most effective way to input data and make it accessible and useful for users—both on-site and on the Internet. Qualifications: Background in Library and Archives. Technologically savvy. Commitment: Hours are flexible but we prefer that the intern work at least 20 hours per week for a minimum of fifteen weeks. Benefits: An $800 stipend for this internship will be granted. In addition, interns will receive 10% off on merchandise in the Glyph Shop and free passes to special events and programs at the Center. How to Apply The application deadline for this internship is August 1, 2008. To apply, please send a resume, a one-page personal statement describing your reasons for seeking the internship and contact information for two references to Kim Arth at Kimberly.Arth@asu.edu or to Deer Valley Rock Art Center, 3711 W. Deer Valley Rd., Phoenix, AZ 85308 Tel: (623) 582 8007, Fax: (623) 582 8831.

Thanks to Vince Murray and Brian Kenny for Contributions to Today's Newsletter.

I'd also like to extend a special thanks to the Arizona Preservation Foundation and the Town of Nogales for a fantastic preservation conference. The event was well attended, the presentations were excellent, and the gathering was well worth the time and money spent on the event. The Arizona Preservation Foundation deserves your membership and your support.