William M. Fitzhugh photograph collection

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sova.nmai.ac.195

Culture: Mojave (Mohave); Hopi Pueblo; Central California; Modoc; Karuk (Karok); Isleta Pueblo; Apsáalooke (Crow/Absaroke); Ohkay Owingeh (San Juan Pueblo); Taos Pueblo; Laguna Pueblo

Summary: This collection includes 45 photographs collected by William M. Fitzhugh circa 1900 among the Indigenous communities in California, Arizona, and New Mexico.

Biographical / Historical: William MacPherson Fitzhugh (1853-1929) was born in Catoctin, Maryland and raised in California. He was one of the first students to graduate from the University of California. After graduating, he was involved in the planning and surveying of Golden Gate Park. In 1892 Fitzhugh was elected City and County Surveyor and City Engineer. He was also a member of the Election Commission of the City and County. In 1909, he was involved in the further opening of Wyoming's Salt Creek oil fields-one of the most important fields in the Rocky Mountains. Fitzhugh used part of the fortune he made there to improve San Francisco neighborhoods destroyed by the great fire of 1906. The early history of California, especially San Francisco, were of special interest to Fitzhugh, and he collected many items and photographs from the time. He was an active member of the California Historical Society and donor to museums.

Type: Collection descriptions; Archival materials; Photographic prints; Transparencies

Processing Information: Collection record written by Mattie Lewis, Archives Technician in 2025.

Rights: Permission to publish materials from the collection must be requested from National Museum of the American Indian Archives Center. Please submit a written request to nmaiphotos@si.edu. For personal or classroom use, users are invited to download, print, photocopy, and distribute the images that are available online without prior written permission, provided that the files are not modified in any way, the Smithsonian Institution copyright notice (where applicable) is included, and the source of the image is identified as the National Museum of the American Indian. For more information please see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use and NMAI Archive Center's Digital Image request website.

Scope and Contents: This collection contains 45 photographs, 2 transparencies, and 3 copy negatives collected by William M. Fitzhugh. Images depict people alone and in groups, studio portraits, landscapes, Moki Snake Dance, Baske Dance, Flute Dance, and hand crafts. Most of the photographs are hand tinted. One photograph is restricted for nudity. Photographers include G.L. Rose, Williamson-Haffner Eng. Co., Detroit Photographic Co. Some individuals have been identified in the photographs including Captain Jack, Mahala, and Pretty Old Man. Image numbers P11922 - P11923, P12009 - P12051. Negative numbers N36711 - N36712.

Restrictions: Access to NMAI Archives Center collections is by appointment only, Monday - Friday, 9:30 am - 4:30 pm. Please contact the archives to make an appointment (phone: 301-238-1400, email: nmaiarchives@si.edu).

Related Materials: Provenance information regarding the purchase of this collection can be found in Series 7 of the Museum of American Indian/Heye Foundation Records, 1890-1989. Additional materials collected by William M. Fitzhugh are located at the California Academy of Sciences.

Separated Materials: Many items were purchased by MAI from the Fitzhugh Estate, object numbers 191707 – 194502, 194961. A selection is linked here: Brush, 19/3174 Sandals, 19/3637 Necklace, 19/3849

NMAI.AC.195

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NMAI.AC.195

NMAIA