Updated: July 20, 2007

variety of items were available for sale in the Mission Inn’s Cloister Gift Shop. Postcards, bells, several books and other publications, rosary beads, and artwork made by American Indians were just some of the items guests could purchase.

Within the Hotel’s Cloister Wing were rooms named for ceremonial spaces essential to the cultures of the Southwest Indians. Mission Inn owner Frank Miller filled the rooms, named the Kivan and Hogan, with Native American art.

In the early 20th century, a great interest developed in objects made by the Native Americans. Their art, having important uses in daily life, became valued objects collected for their beauty and artisanship. The sale of these items provided the artists important sources of income. Basketry, blankets, pottery, jewelry, and other Native artwork were among the items sold. The artwork was available at many locations, including the railroad stations in the Southwest. Gift shops at the Grand Canyon, designed to resemble Hopi, Pueblo, and other Indians buildings, were popular with the tourists visiting the national park.

National Museum of the American Indian
http://www.nmai.si.edu

Autry National Center - Southwest Museum of the American Indian
http://www.autrynationalcenter.org/southwest/

Museum of the Plains Indians
http://www.doi.gov/iacb/museums/museum_plains.html

Sioux Indian Museum
http://www.doi.gov/iacb/museums/museum_sioux.html

• Baldwin, John. (2001). Pipe Bags – Tobacco Bags of the American Frontier. West Olive, MI: Early American Artistry.

• Monture, Joel. (1993 ). The Complete Guide to Traditional Native American Beadwork: A Definitive Study of Authentic Tools, Materials, Techniques, and Style. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.