National Anthropological Archives

Dennis McCarthy photographs of Seri people and artifacts, 1970-1983

Summary

Collection ID:
NAA.PhotoLot.86-27
Creators:
McCarthy, Dennis
Dates:
1970-1983
Languages:
Undetermined
.
Physical Description:
28 Color prints
Repository:

Scope and Contents note

Scope and Contents note
Photographs of Seri artifacts and craftspeople, probably made by Dennis McCarthy. They include images of wood carvings, baskets, a violin and bow, rasp and scraper, toy cradle, and necklace, as well as a man, probably Dennis McCarthy, with a basket maker, violin maker, and a saleswoman. The prints are mounted on unbound album pages, which also include a note on McCarthy's interest in the Seri, a resume, and a bibliography.

Biographical/Historical note

Biographical/Historical note
Dennis McCarthy was a public service officer in Arizona, where he worked as State Parks Director, Historic Preservation Officer, and Natural and Cultural Resources and Urban Lands Planner for the State Land Department. He started visiting Seri fishing camps on Tiburon Island in 1968 and later made contact with the Seri at Punta Chueca. In his personal reflections, he reports having "become captivated" with their artwork, particularly wood carvings and basketry.

Administration

Author
Sarah Ganderup
Custodial History note
Donated by Dennis McCarthy, 1983.

Using the Collection

Conditions Governing Access note
The collection is open for research.
Access to the collection requires an appointment.
Conditions Governing Use note
Contact the repository for terms of use.
Preferred Citation note
Photo Lot 86-27, Dennis McCarthy photographs of Seri people and artifacts, National Anthropological Archives, Smithsonian Institution

Location of Other Archival Materials

Location of Other Archival Materials
Additional photographs of Seri people can be found in the National Anthropological Archives in Photo Lot 87-38, Photo Lot 89, Photo Lot 24, and the BAE historical negatives.
Location of Other Archival Materials
Additional photographs of Seri people can be found in the National Museum of the American Indian Archives in the Edward Harvey Davis Photograph Collection, Alanson Buck Skinner Photograph Collection, and George W. Avery photographs and negatives.
Location of Other Archival Materials
The Department of Anthropology holds examples of Seri basketry.

More Information

Local Call Number(s)

Local Call Number(s)
NAA Photo Lot 86-27


Keywords

Keywords table of terms and types.
Keyword Terms Keyword Types
Seri Cultural Context Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Musical instruments Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Indians of Mexico Cultural Context Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Baskets Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Wood-carving Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid

National Anthropological Archives
Museum Support Center
4210 Silver Hill Road
Suitland, Maryland 20746
naa@si.edu