Skip to main content

Alfred Vincent Kidder Papers

 Collection
Identifier: AC08

Scope and Content

The collection contains correspondence of A.V. Kidder from 1926-1935, covering a range of his activities and archaeological interests in the Southwest. Kidder was active in the establishment of the Laboratory of Anthropology, Inc. and served as chairman of the board until 1935. The collection includes correspondence with E.L. Hewett concerning the 1926 controversy over a proposed Culture Center and about the founding of the Laboratory of Anthropology, Inc. There are documents and materials relating to the programs and activities of the Laboratory of Anthropology, Inc. including field schools. Of interest is his correspondence with E.L. Hewett concerning relations between the Laboratory of Anthropology and the University of New Mexico; some materials relating to the field schools and other activities of the Laboratory of Anthropology (see, for example, B. Haile, E. Sapir and H. Roberts files); Kidder's interest in excavating near Flagstaff, Arizona; and the general exchange between archaeologists interested in the Southwest.

Dates

  • 1926-1935

Language of Materials

English

Access Restrictions

The collection is open for research by appointment.

Copy Restrictions

Limited duplication of print materials allowed for research purposes. User is responsible for all copyright compliance.

Biography / History

Alfred Vincent (A.V.) Kidder, 1885-1963, was one of three Harvard University students recruited for Edgar Lee Hewett’s first field school in 1907, returning for the 1908 survey of Mesa Verde and further work in the Southwest from 1909-1915. In 1915, the year after he received his PhD, he began excavations at Pecos Pueblo, funded by the R.S. Peabody Foundation in Massachusetts that continued until 1929. At Pecos Pueblo Kidder pioneered techniques that have become standard in archaeological practice. Kidder organized the first Pecos Conference, an enduring tradition, and established the first cultural chronology in the Southwest, the Pecos Classification. After 1929, Kidder worked for the Carnegie Institution of Washington until 1950, and was a member of the faculty of the Peabody Museum at Harvard from 1939-1951. He was one of the founders, in 1951, of the New World Archaeological Foundation. Kidder was active in the establishment of the Laboratory of Anthropology, Inc. and served as chairman of the board until 1935. A.V. Kidder was among the most respected of American archaeologists of his time.

Extent

71 file folders in 3 document boxes (1.25 linear feet)

Additional Description

Abstract

Alfred Vincent (A.V.) Kidder (1885-1963) was a well-known archaeologist working in the American Southwest. Kidder was active in the establishment of the Laboratory of Anthropology, Inc. and served as chairman of the board until 1935. The collection contains correspondence of A.V. Kidder during 1926-1935, covering a range of his activities and archaeological interests in the Southwest.

Subjects

Finding Aid & Administrative Information

Title
Guide to the Alfred Vincent Kidder Papers, 1926-1935
Status
Edited Full Draft
Date
© 2011, 2023
Language of description
English
Script of description
Code for undetermined script
Language of description note
Finding aid is in English

Revision Statements

  • Monday, 20210524: Attribute normal is missing or blank.

Repository Details

Repository Details

Part of the School for Advanced Research Repository

https://sarweb.org/education/catherine-mcelvain-library/
Contact:
Catherine McElvain Library
School for Advanced Research (SAR)
PO Box 2188
Santa Fe NM 87504-2188 USA
505-954-7234

Staff Interface | Visit ArchivesSpace.org | v2.8.1 | Send Feedback or Report a Problem