Hubbell Trading Post National Historic Site

John Lorenzo Hubbell began trading in 1876, a difficult time for the Navajo, who were still recovering from their traumatic internment at Fort Sumner. Born in New Mexico, Hubbell had already learned some Navajo culture and language by the time he set up shop. Money rarely exchanged hands during transactions; Navajo brought in blankets or jewelry and received credit. They would then select desired items, such as coffee, flour, sugar, cloth, and harnesses. If the Navajo had credit left after buying supplies, they generally preferred silver or turquoise to money. Those bringing wool or sheep to the trading post usually received cash, however.

Hubbell distinguished himself by his honesty and appreciation of the Navajo. His insistence on excellence in weaving and silverwork led to better prices for Navajo craftspeople. The trading post helped bridge the Anglo and Native American cultures, as Navajo often called on Hubbell to explain government programs and to write letters to officials explaining their concerns.

Visitors Center, Hubbell’s House, and Trading Post

Hubbell Trading Post (south side of Hwy. 264, 1 mile west of Ganado, 928/755-3475, www.nps.gov/hutr, 8 a.m.–6 p.m. daily June–Sept., 8 a.m.–5 p.m. daily the rest of the year) is the real thing. Weavers (usually women) often demonstrate their skills in the visitors center, which also has an excellent bookstore with many titles about Native American history, art, and culture. You can try your hand at weaving a rug on the visitor loom with the instructions provided, and see if it’s as easy as it looks!

Guides offer free scheduled tours of Hubbell’s house and you can take a self-guided tour of the grounds and barn. The house contains superb rugs, paintings, baskets, and other crafts collected by Hubbell before his death in 1930 and by the Hubbell family thereafter.

The trading post still operates much as it always has, offering high-quality crafts or most anything else. Canned and yard goods pack the shelves, glass cases display pocket knives and other small items, horse collars and harnesses hang from the ceiling, and Navajo still drop in with items for trade. Check out the Native American baskets and other old artifacts on the ceilings and walls of the jewelry and rug rooms. A tree-shaded picnic area lies next to the visitors center. Major auctions of works by Navajo and Hopi artists take place in May and August.