Kenneth Chapman Photographs

Collection

Identifier: PAAC-0043

Staff Only

Scope and Content

This small collection comes from the personal collection of Kenneth Chapman and includes photographs he had taken as well as those he collected for research purposes. Many of the photos were grouped into envelopes and labeled probably by Kenneth Chapman, which have been retained as a group.

Dates

1885 - 1965

Creator

Chapman, Kenneth Milton, 1875-1968 (Person)

Language of Materials

English

Access Restrictions

Collection is open to researchers on a request basis only, pending approval of request to view original material.

Copy Restrictions

User responsible for all copyright compliance. Permission to publish must be obtained from Photo Archives. Form to request permission available at: https://www.nmhistorymuseum.org/collections/photo-archives/order-photos

Biographical information

Kenneth Milton Chapman (1875-1968) moved to New Mexico in 1899 where he supported himself selling his artwork to tourists on the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad. In 1909 he moved to Santa Fe where his talents quickly developed into what has been called "art archaeology". He mapped archaeological ruins, taught art and studied ancient Indian pottery designs. With his artistic skills and disciplined approach to his studies he became a highly regarded authority of Indian arts and culture. An advocate of Indian arts, his endeavors led to the revitalization of Pueblo pottery, the founding of the first Indian Fair and the Indian Arts Fund.

Even though Santa Fe in the 1920s was populated by such towering figures in Southwest anthropology as Edgar L. Hewett, Jesse Nusbaum and Sylvanus Morley, Chapman worked diligently behind the scenes to help develop the Museum of New Mexico, Laboratory of Anthropology, School for American Research and was the first professor of Indian arts at the University of New Mexico. Chapman married fellow archeologist Katherine Muller in 1915 with whom he had two children. He died in Santa Fe on 23 February 1968.