Mari A. Pritchard Parker

Los Angeles, CA

July 18, 2006

Dear Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa:

I have been following the situation with the Southwest Museum for some time.

As a Professional Archaeologist in the Southern California area for over twenty years, an adjunct faculty member at Pasadena City College, and as an owner of a Los Angeles City Monument in Highland Park for ten years, I believe I have a unique perspective.

The legacy of the Southwest Museum is more than a collection of art objects and artifacts. It is on the National Register of Historic Places not only because of these things and the building's architecture, but because of the long and illustrious reputation of the curators, museum staff and its founder, Charles F. Lummis. It is their contributions to the growth of the science of archaeology as we know it today that is also of immense value: It is the combination of the place, the story behind it, and the display space at Mt. Washington. 

While I cannot say that the merger with the Autry Western Center was something I would have supported, I have realized that the financial backing they could help provide could have been of immense help. That being said, there are many alternatives which the Autry, in my opinion, dismisses out of hand, due to their perspective and desire to move the collection to the Autry-Griffith Park site location. I have taken the time to attend one of the meetings held with John Grey at the Southwest Museum some time ago and it is my opinion that the Autry is only going through the motions so they may appear to be in compliance with applicable cultural resources laws. When asked, John Grey would not set any goals to work for in regard to Museum, attendance (general or students), research fellows, and goals for contributions. Without these goals, what do we have to work for?  It appeared to me that no amount would be enough.  From the reading of many articles on the situation from one of the popular western history magazines, it appears to me that the Autry's goal has been more to bolster their name than the southwest legacy.  Yes, the Autry has spent money to clean the collection, and that is something that was seriously needed, but this work was performed without the legacy of the place in mind or without respect to the native groups whose ancestors made the objects (i.e., Navajo, Hopi,

Mojave, Pima, Maricopa, and many others).

When I asked the conservator as to the status of the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) compliance issues, I was told at a public meeting that they did not know who to contact. After this meeting, I personally went to the conservator, gave him my card and told him I would be happy to help with this matter. It is my understanding that they are still not in compliance. They received federal funding from the National Park Service to conduct NAGPRA compliance. Without this compliance, there is no understanding of which or how many objects may have sacred meaning and/or which tribe should be consulted for their disposition. Many of the tribes to which these objects hold sacred significance would not want the items fumigated or mishandled, and Federal Law dictates that they be treated with utmost respect. There are many additional issues with the collection that have been obtained from the Federal Government, which must be considered (it is my understanding that many items in this collection are still owned by the government).

I believe that it is in the best interests of the City of Los Angeles that the Southwest Museum remain as its fonder envisioned - a museum who's primary goal is to preserve the heritage, support research and educate the public about the Native Cultures of the American Southwest in its present location in Mount Washington.

This is a multifaceted and complicated problem that affects the archaeological community worldwide, Native concerns and local resistance. Please look beyond the area of the local community and deal with this wider perspective.  If I can be of any assistance in these matters please contact me at Mari_utah@hotmail.com.

Thank you for taking the time to read this email.

Mari

Mari A. Pritchard Parker MS, RPA

Milford Archaeological Research Institute

Principal, Prehistorics