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UNM Press - Review, 1979-1980

 File — Box: 13, Folder: 7

Scope and Content

From the Collection: The John L. Kessell Papers consist primarily of Kessell's research for several of his historical works. Much of the research consists of Spanish language materials photocopied and translated by Kessell into English. Other materials include notes and manuscripts related to the same studies of the Spanish frontier in New Mexico, Arizona and Sonora. Translations, notes and transcriptions made by Kessell or other researchers are noted as such. Some primary documents are only marked with brief synopses of the material; those documents are marked as containing "explanations." The collection is divided into six series of research materials: Pecos, Arizona-Sonora, Salinas, Maria de Agreda, Missions, and Correspondence.

Pecos Research: Materials in this series were collected by Kessell as primary research for Kiva, Cross and Crown: the Pecos Indians and New Mexico, 1540-1840. Aside from copies of original Spanish materials, there are also studies conducted by the National Park Service on the Pecos area, Kessell's manuscripts, including an unpublished manuscript Kessell wrote as a Pecos historical handbook. Also included are cards containing abstracts of archival sources.

Arizona-Sonora Research: This series contains research materials on Spanish missions such as Guevavi and Tumacacori and activities of the Jesuit and Franciscan priests in the Arizona-Sonora area. Much of the research is related to Kessell's Friars, Soldiers and Reformers: Hispanic Arizona and the Sonora Mission Frontier, 1767-1856, other materials are tied to Kessell's research for articles and essays, and Kessell's book, Mission of Sorrows; Jesuit Guevavi and the Pimas, 1691-1767. A few of the articles are included in both early and final drafts. Representative materials in this series include notes, outlines, photocopied documents, maps and correspondence. Also included are cards containing abstracts of archival sources.

Salinas Research: Kessell received an assignment from the National Park Service to conduct preliminary cultural research on Salinas Pueblo. Relying mostly on resources from the University of New Mexico Zimmerman Library, Kessell assembled materials documenting the Spanish period at Salinas. This series also includes National Park Service issued reports on other properties of the Salinas area.

Maria de Agreda: This series contains research materials and published and unpublished writings relating to Maria de Agreda, the Lady in Blue (1602-1665). Kessell used this research for Kiva, Cross, and Crown and Spain in the Southwest . Maria de Agreda preached Christianity in the American Southwest -- most notably in Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona.

Missions: This series contains research material gathered by Kessell for his book, Missions of New Mexico since 1776. Articles, clippings, correspondence, photographs, and notes pertaining to New Mexico missions are contained in the collection, as are materials related to publication of the manuscript.

Correspondence: This series documents nearly 5 decades of Kessell's personal and professional activities. Included are letters between Kessell and scholars researching the history of New Mexico, as well as documents and correspondence with institutions such as the New Mexico Historical Review and the University of New Mexico, as well as correspondence wtih friends, students, administrators, scholars and publishers. Unpublished papers, secondary source materials, newspaper clippings, travel mementos, postcards and photographs are scattered within the correspondence. A 2016 addition to this series focuses on Kessell's research and publication about Bernardo de Miera y Pacheco.

Dates

  • 1979-1980

Language of Materials

From the Collection: English Spanish

Access Restrictions

The collection is open for research.

Extent

From the Collection: 17 boxes (16 cu. ft.) plus 5 boxes (5 cu. ft.) of unprocessed materials.

Repository Details

Part of the UNM Center for Southwest Research & Special Collections Repository

Contact:
University of New Mexico Center for Southwest Research & Special Collections
University Libraries, MSC05 3020
1 University of New Mexico
Albuquerque NM 87131
505-277-6451