Grace and Charles Herring Collection, 1925-1950s

NAU.PH.98.21


Overview of the Collection
Creator:	Herring, Grace and Charles
Title:	Grace and Charles Herring Collection,
Inclusive Dates:	1925-1950s
Quantity:	27 black-and-white copy photographs.
Abstract:	Photographs of various trading posts in Arizona, New Mexico, and Colorado.
Identification:	NAU.PH.98.21
Language:	Material in English
Repository:	Cline Library. Special Collections and Archives Department Northern Arizona University Box 6022 Flagstaff, AZ 86011-6022 Phone: 928 523-5551 Fax: 928 523-3770 Email: special.collections@nau.edu

Biographical Note

Grace Bloomfield Herring was born on August 4, 1910 to George (1882-1959) and Lucy (1884-1981) Bloomfield. At the time she was born, her father worked for the federal government service that had sent him to build the school in Toadlena, New Mexico. In 1910, George bought the Toadlena Trading Post and by 1911, had taken it over.

There were eight children in the Bloomfield family: Fern, Vernon, Genevieve (who died at age 12), Grace, Monk, Ruthie, who later married Roscoe McGee, Marilene, who later married Raymond Blair, and Paula. Grace's mother, Lucy, ran the trading post, while George Bloomfield did other business. Although his wife ran the trading post, George Bloomfield would not allow his daughters to work there.

The Bloomfields were devout members of the Mormon church. Charles Herring, while helping to build a road between Gallup and Shiprock, met Grace at a carnival given by the church. He came calling on her, even though he was not of the Mormon religion. Grace was sent on a mission to Chicago soon after Charles proposed, and while she was gone, he joined the Mormon church. They were married soon after her return. Grace was unable to have children, so they adopted two. Jill, in 1935, who was a Navajo Indian, and Derryl, in 1937, a boy from Germany.

Grace and Charles Herring bought the Toadlena Trading Post from her parents in 1943. George and Lucy Bloomfield moved to Mancos Creek, Colorado. The trading post traded rugs and jewelry, and Charles was a member of the United Indian Traders Association.

Charles Herring was called Hastiin Dlóó' Yázhí by the Indians, which means "little prairie dog," because when he and Grace were first married, he worked doing a biological survey to help control prairie dogs. Grace Herring was called Tsii>>gaii, "white hair", while growing up, because her hair was so light colored. When she ran the trading post with her husband, the Indians called her Asdzani Haske, which means "the cranky woman." The Herrings sold the Toadlena Trading Post in 1959.

Scope and Content

The collection has images of various trading posts in Arizona, New Mexico, and Colorado, along with the traders who ran them. There are also images of rugs that were made for the Toadlena Trading Post. In addition, there are images of the Bloomfield and Herring families as well as Navajo families.

Restrictions

Conditions Governing Access

No restrictions on use, except: not available through interlibrary loan.

Conditions Governing Use

It is the responsibility of the user to obtain permission to publish from the owner of the copyright (the institution, the creator of the record, the author or his/her transferees, heirs, legates, or literary executors). The user agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Arizona Board of Regents for Northern Arizona University, its officers, employees, and agents from and against all claims made by any person asserting that he or she is an owner of copyright.

Controlled Access Terms

Personal Name(s)

Family Name(s)

Corporate Name(s)

Geographic Name(s)

Subject(s)

Genre Form(s)

Title(s)

Administrative Information

Alternative Form Available

Digital versions of parts of this collection are available online herehere.

Preferred Citation

Grace and Charles Herring Collection, NAU.PH.98.21. Special Collections and Archives. Northern Arizona University. Cline Library. Flagstaff, Arizona.

Acquisition Information

Donated by Grace herring, widow of Charles Herring, in 1998.

Container List


NAU.PH.98.21: Photographs, 1925-1950s
	Digital versions of parts of this collection are available online herehere.

		NAU.PH.98.21.1: Photographer unknown, ca. 1900. Elizabeth Ann Barton Bloomfield [Grace's Grandmother.], location unknown. Black-and-White Photograph, 5.4x4.
		NAU.PH.98.21.2: Photographer unknown, ca. 1955. Clara G. Boyer [Mrs. Bloomfield's sister.], location unknown. Black-and-White Photograph, 4.5x3.5.
		NAU.PH.98.21.3: Photographer unknown, ca.1940. [The Bloomfield and Herring families.], Toadlena (N.M.) /// Navajo Indian Reservation. Black-and-White Photograph, 10.9x8.9.
		NAU.PH.98.21.4: Photographer unknown, ca. 1925. [Navajo Indian family in front of stone hogan.], Navajo Indian Reservation. Black-and-White Photograph, 8x11.5.
		NAU.PH.98.21.5: Photographer unknown, ca. 1935. [Two Navajo Women.], Navajo Indian Reservation. Black-and-White Photograph, 11.5x8.
		NAU.PH.98.21.6: Photographer unknown, ca. 1935. Jumbo's Father's Two Wives., Navajo Indian Reservation. Black-and-White Photograph, 11.5x9.
		NAU.PH.98.21.7: Photographer unknown, 1941. Navajo Squaw, North of Gallup, N.M., April 19, 1941., Gallup (N.M.). Black-and-White Photograph, 11.5x9.
		NAU.PH.98.21.8: Photographer unknown, ca. 1945. Toley coming out ceremony for young girl., Toadlena (N.M.). Black-and-White Photograph, 6.4x11.
		NAU.PH.98.21.9: Photographer unknown, ca. 1950. [Fern Bloomfield-Smouse and George Bloomfield holding Teec Nos Pos rug made by Daisy Tauglechee.], Navajo Indian Reservation. Black-and-White Photograph, 6.6x10.8.
		NAU.PH.98.21.10: Cockrill, Dr. Howard Jr., 1994. Despah Nez weaving a large rug., location unknown. Color Photograph, 13x9.
		NAU.PH.98.21.11: Photographer unknown, 1925. Toadlena Trading Co., 1925., Tohatchi (N.M.). Black-and-White Photograph, 6.5x11.
		NAU.PH.98.21.12: Photographer unknown, ca. 1930. Toadlena, New Mexico., Toadlena (N.M.) /// Navajo Indian Reservation. Black-and-White Photograph, 7x11.5.
		NAU.PH.98.21.13: Photographer unknown, 1934. Charles Herring comp. Smith Lake, Eastern Navajo Reservation, July 12, 1934., Smith Lake (N.M.) // Navajo Indian Reservation. Black-and-White Photograph, 11.5x9.
		NAU.PH.98.21.14: Photographer unknown, ca. 1945. Old Mancos Trading Post., Mancos (Colo.). Black-and-White Photograph, 7x11.5.
		NAU.PH.98.21.15: Photographer unknown, ca. 1945. New Mancos Trading Post., Mancos Creek (Colo.). Black-and-White Photograph, 11.5x9.
		NAU.PH.98.21.16: Photographer unknown, ca. 1935. Red Rock Trading Post: Jewel McGee center., Red Valley (Ariz.) /// Navajo Indian Reservation. Black-and-White Photograph, 11.4x8.9.
		NAU.PH.98.21.17: Photographer unknown, ca. 1933. Red Rock Trading Post., Red Valley (Ariz.) /// Navajo Indian Reservation. Black-and-White Photograph, 7.7x11.3.
		NAU.PH.98.21.18: Photographer unknown, ca. 1940. Shiprock Trading Co.., Shiprock (N.M.) /// Navajo Indian Reservation. Black-and-White Photograph, 9x9.5.
		NAU.PH.98.21.19: Photographer unknown, ca. 1930. Tuba Trading Post., Tuba City (Ariz.) /// Navajo Indian Reservation. Black-and-White Photograph, 7.7x11.2.
		NAU.PH.98.21.20: Photographer unknown, ca. 1945. Polacca Trading Post., Polacca (Ariz.) /// Hopi Indian Reservation. Black-and-White Photograph, 8x11.5.
		NAU.PH.98.21.21: Photographer unknown, ca. 1945. Na-Ah-Tee Trading Post., Navajo Indian Reservation. Black-and-White Photograph, 9x9.5.
		NAU.PH.98.21.22: Photographer unknown, ca. 1955. Borrego Pass Trading Post., Borrego Pass (N.M.) /// Navajo Indian Reservation. Black-and-White Photograph, 9x9.5.
		NAU.PH.98.21.23: Photographer unknown, . Lonely Dell Trading Post [Lees Ferry.] [Photo courtesy of Utah State Historical Society.], Lees Ferry (Ariz.). Black-and-White Photograph, 9x9.5.
		NAU.PH.98.21.24: Photographer unknown, ca. 1950. Mexican Water Trading Post: Roscoe McGee at the counter., Mexican Water (Ariz.) // Navajo Indian Reservation. Black-and-White Photograph, 9.5x9.
		NAU.PH.98.21.25: Photographer unknown, ca. 1960. Mexican Water Trading Post with Don Reeves., Mexican Water (Ariz.) // Navajo Indian Reservation. Black-and-White Photograph, 11.5x9.
		NAU.PH.98.21.26: Photographer unknown, ca. 1955. Sweetwater Trading Post with Johnny Arrington., Sweetwater (Ariz.) // Navajo Indian Reservation. Black-and-White Photograph, 11.5x9.
		NAU.PH.98.21.27: Photographer unknown, ca. 1955. [Tocito Trading Post with Bessie and Melvin McGee, Bessie holding rug.], Tocito (N.M.) /// Navajo Indian Reservation. Black-and-White Photograph, 9x11.5.