Navajo Rug Description, 1947

Abstract

CONTENT: The Harold F. Osborne Collection contains primarily AP news stories written at Gouldings Trading Post in Monument Valley, Arizona and nine photographs. The focus of these articles is on the Hosteen Cly Family and Harry Goulding Trading Post in Monument Valley. The documents discuss Navajo medicine, employment, crafts, language, and change and adaptability of the Navajo. BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY: Harold F. Osborne was born in Omaha, Nebraska, and grew up in Denver, Colorado. He graduated from the University of Denver in 1934. and immediately began a career in journalism, working on newspapers in Denver, Estes Park, Colorado, Pueblo, Colorado, Salt Lake City, Utah, and Seattle, Washington. From 1939 to 1950 he worked for the Associated Press as an editor and correspondent in Salt Lake City and Boise, Idaho. During this time he frequently wrote feature articles about pioneer life and Native American Culture. He became especially interested in the Navajo people while in the Salt Lake City, and first learned of their destitute condition by talking with Utah business men who took food and clothing at Christmas to the Navajo in the Monument Valley. In 1947 Osborne made an extended visit to the Monument Valley, staying with trader Harry Goulding. On return he prepared a special series about the Navajo life that was distributed nationally by the Associate Press. The series was then donated to the Northern Arizona University. Beginning in 1959, Osborne worked in Washington, D.C., as editor, publisher and communications manager for scientific agencies of the Federal Government. He retired in 1978 and has lived in Kingston, Washington, since then, still writing and publishing about Western History. Harry Goulding Trading Post. The Harry Goulding Trading Post is located in the Monument Valley. Harry Goulding ran the trading post from 1920's to the 1960's.