|
 Feel the old wooden floor give slightly beneath your footsteps and hear it
squeak as you enter the front door of the oldest continuously operating trading post on the Navajo Nation. Let your eyes adjust to the dim lighting of the "bullpen" and you might even catch the trader negotiating a deal with a Native American artist. Hubbell Trading Post National Historic Site offers you a chance to become a part of this unique slice of history.
John Lorenzo Hubbell purchased the trading post in 1878, ten years after Navajos were allowed to return to their homeland from their terrible exile at Bosque Redondo, Ft. Sumner, NM. During the four years spent at Bosque Redondo, Navajos were introduced to many new items. Traders like Hubbell supplied those items once they returned home.
Hubbell family members operated this trading post until it was sold to the National Park Service in 1967. The trading post is still active, and operated by the non-profit organization, Western National Parks Association, that maintains the trading traditions the Hubbell family established.
Step back in time and experience this original 160 acre homestead, including the trading post, family home and visitor center.
There are demonstrations of Navajo rug weaving in the visitor center, along with a small museum display.
The fully active trading post offers a variety of Native American made arts and crafts that includes rugs, baskets, kachinas, jewelry, drums, pots, etc. It also offers the opportunity to experience the traditional trading activities that have gone on for over 100 years.
There are regularly scheduled tours of the Hubbell family home during summer months, and also in the winter, as staffing allows. In the summer, there are occasional presentations on Navajo rugs and weaving, as well as ground tours.
Tours:
Hubbell Home Tour - $2.00 per person. Ages 16 and under are free.
Getting There:
Hubbell Trading Post National Historic Site is located one mile west of Ganado, on highway 264. Visitors traveling on I-40 can take highway 191 north to Ganado, or from Gallup, New Mexico, take highway 471 north to highway 264.
|
