Skip to main content

"Journey Towards Understanding" - Manuscript, background materials, publishing notes,, 1942-1984

 File — Folder: 1

Scope and Content

From the Collection: The core of this small collection is a photocopy of the first draft of Mary Cabot Wheelwright's unpublished autobiography, "Journey Towards Understanding." In this manuscript, Wheelwright details how she gained her knowledge of Navajo religion and offers an analysis of the religion. She tells of her travels through the Navajo Reservation and the Grand Canyon, describing the landscape, people, attitudes, and "quality of the West." She speaks of her relationship with Hasteen Klah, the Newcombs, the Hubbells, and the Wetherills. She also discusses the establishment of what is now the Wheelwright Museum of the American Indian, both in terms of design/construction and mission/activities.

In addition to the manuscript itself, the collection contains Sid Margolis' notes on the manuscript and on publishing the manuscript, as well as published and unpublished background materials on sandpaintings, ceremonies, and myths. To date, the manuscript has not been published.

Dates

  • 1942-1984

Language of Materials

From the Collection: English

Access Restrictions

The collection is open for research.

Extent

From the Collection: 1 Folder

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