Bookmark this page or copy and paste URL to Email message Alwin Girdner Collection, 1920-1942NAU.PH.2004.32
Historical NoteAlwin J. Girdner was born in 1923 to missionary parents and grew up on the Navajo Reservation, where he and his family lived from 1923-1939. After leaving the reservation, he studied at the University of of Arizona where he received degrees in business and Southwestern and Latin American history. Despite no longer living on the reservation, he has maintained lifelong ties to Navajo culture. In 2011, he published an autobiography and history of his days on the reservation: Diné Tah: My Reservation Days, 1923-1939. Clara Holcomb lived for nearly thirty years on the Navajo Reservation, and was considered a driving force in the creation and success of the Immanuel Mission. She spoke Navajo and established numerous lasting relationships with local Navajos. Clara Holcomb remained at the Immanuel mission until 1945 when she retired to her family ranch in Oak Creek where she soon past away. Florence Barker came to Immanuel mission in 1922 and worked with Clara Holcomb for four years as a missionary and professional nurse. These two women traveled extensively throughout the reservation on horseback photographing the land and its people. For much of the time they were based out of the Immanuel Mission located just West of Teec Nos Pos, about 50 west of Shiprock. Over the years, they managed to compile numerous priceless images. Scope and ContentThe photographs were taken in the 1920s by Florence Barker and Clara Holcomb during their tenure as Plymouth Brethren Missionaries on the Navajo Reservation. Images are from taken principally during Girdner's time on the Navajo reservation, 1923-1939. The date range on the images is from 1920-1939. Most images were taken by either of his two Aunts, Clara Holcomb and Florence Barker. They include many shots of Holcomb, Barker, Girdner and their family members, as well as the many Navajo friends they made on the reservation. RestrictionsConditions 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 TermsPersonal Name(s) Family Name(s) Corporate Name(s) Geographic Name(s) Subject(s) Genre Form(s) Title(s) Administrative InformationAlternative Form Available
Digital versions of parts of this collection are available online herehere. Preferred Citation
Alwin Girdner Collection, NAU.PH.2004.32. Special Collections and Archives. Northern Arizona University. Cline Library. Flagstaff, Arizona. Acquisition Information
Donated by Alwin "Rusty" Girdner. Container List
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