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Charles H. Lange papers and photographs pertaining to Cochiti Pueblo, NM

 Collection
Identifier: MSS-873-BC

Scope and Content

The collection includes Charles Lange’s letters home from Cochiti (1947-1948). These letters are replete with social and political news and observations. Also contained in the collection are notes and excerpts from various reports and publications with data about livelihood, livestock, agriculture, social structure, school programs, ceremonial life, and population, including a photocopy of Frederick Starr’s, “A Study of a Census of the Pueblo of Cochiti, New Mexico" (1897) . Cochiti monthly newsletters (January-July 1945) are in the collection as well.

The photographs (including aerial photos) date from 1946 to 1957. Lange’s “Revised Report on Anthropological Investigations in the Cochiti Region of NM, Summer 1957" along with photos credited to the American Museum of Natural History are part of this collection. Aerial photos show Rancho de la Canada, Spanish Canada, Canada de Cochiti, Pueblo Canada, La Tetilla Peak, Santo Domingo Pueblo, and surroundings. Photographs document excavations at Pueblo Canada and other sites.

The collection also includes photographs of identified individuals and groups of individuals illustrating daily life in the Pueblo, including house building, plastering, drum making, winnowing wheat, dances, baseball, landscape and buildings. Several of these photographs are published in Cochiti: A New Mexico Pueblo Past and Present. A couple of the photo identifications include comments dating to 1970 and 1990.

Dates

  • 1897-1990
  • Majority of material found within 1946-1957

Language of Materials

English

Access Restrictions

The collection is open for research.

Copy Restrictions

Limited duplication of CSWR material is allowed for research purposes. User is responsible for compliance with all copyright, privacy, and libel laws. Permission is required for publication or distribution.

Biographical Information

Charles Henry Lange was born in Wisconsin on July 3, 1917. He earned his B.A. (1940), M.A, (1942) and Ph.D. in Anthropology (1951) from the University of New Mexico His dissertation was, “An Evaluation of Economic Factors In Cochiti Pueblo Culture Change."

Lange trained and worked with many of the well-known anthropologists of his time, including Leslie Spier, W.W. Hill, Frank Hibben, Edger Hewett, Bertha Dutton, Florence Hawley Ellis, Marjorie Lambert, and Donovan Senter. His New Mexico fieldwork was conducted at Chaco Canyon, Bandelier, Sandia Cave, Tijeras Canyon, Cochiti, Cochiti Dam, the Gallinas area, and with various Pueblos.

Lange was a T.A. for the Anthropology and German departments at UNM, and went on to teach at the University of Texas (1947-1955); Southern Illinois University, Carbondale (1955-1971), with stints as curator of anthropology in the museum (1957-1959) and chair of the department (1966-1971), and Northern Illinois University (1971-1979), serving as chair from 1971-1974. Lange retired in 1979 and moved back to New Mexico, where he taught part time at the University of New Mexico, New Mexico Highlands University, Santa Fe Community College, and a Colgate University program in Santa Fe.

Lange has more than 90 publications to his credit, including Cochiti: A New Mexico Pueblo, Past and Present and the 4 volume, award winning Southwestern Journals of Adolph Bandelier. He was awarded many honors and recognitions during his lifetime. Charles H. Lange died of a heart attack in Santa Fe, NM on July 8, 2003. Cochiti Governor, Simon E. Suina delivered the final eulogy at his funeral.

Source: Reyman, Jonathan E. “Charles H. Lange (1917-2003)." Kiva 69:2, p. 229-232.

Extent

1 box (.35 cu. ft.)

Abstract

This collection consists of archaeological and ethnographic photographs of Cochiti Pueblo, as well as letters, notes, essays, and reference materials gathered and used in Charles Lange’s research/writing.
Title
Finding Aid of the Charles H. Lange papers and photographs pertaining to Cochiti Pueblo, NM, 1897-1990
Status
Completed
Author
B. Silbergleit
Date
© 2011
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Finding aid is in English

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