Nampeyo Timeline

Nampeyo born, Hano, First Mesa. Mother is White Corn, Tewa. Corn Clan, Hano (d. 1901-1909). Father is Quootsva, Hopi, Snake Clan, Walpi (d. 1897-1899). Oldest of four children.

Nampeyo with her mother, White Corn. Photo by James Mooney (1893). Smithsonian Institution #1875-B-1.

Thomas Keam opens trading post at First Mesa, location called Peach Orchard Spring and later Keams Canyon.

First photograph of Nampeyo, as a young girl. Photo by William Henry Jackson (1875).

Nampeyo marries Lesso, of Cedarwood clan, Walpi.

Nampeyo's husband, Lesso. Photo by Adam Clark Vroman (1901). Courtesy of the Southwest Museum of the American Indian, now part of The Autry National Center.

Anthropologist Alexander Stephen arrives at Keams Canyon.  He is official Post Master when post office is established in 1883.

Beginning of manufacture of Sikyatki Revival Pottery. Thomas Keam encourages potters to make pottery with designs inspired by pottery recovered from nearby protohistoric (c. 1400-1600) sites. Nampeyo among the potters to participate in this revival.

The story is oft repeated that Nampeyo became aware of the designs when husband Lesso worked for Fewkes' 1895 excavation at Sikyatki. Yet, there is no record of Lesso ever having worked for Fewkes, and "revival" pottery production predates Fewkes' work by at least 10-15 years.

Railroad completed through Winslow.

First daughter Annie (Healing) born (d. 1968).

Annie Healing with selection of pottery. Photo by Adam Clark Vroman (1901).

First Hemenway Expedition to Southwest, headed by Frank Hamilton Cushing.

School established at Keams Canyon for Hopi children.

Second Hemenway Expedition to Hopi, headed by Jesse Walter Fewkes.

Fewkes purchases collection of over 3000 Hopi ceramic pieces from trader Keams for $10,000.

Son William Lesso born (d. 1935).

Mennonite missionary H.R. Voth arrives at Hopi.

Hopi gathered in front of the Voth home at Christmas time. Photo by H.R. Voth (c. 1895). Courtesy of Bethel College, Kansas, Mennonite LIbrary and Archives.

Second daughter Nellie (Douma) born (d. 1978).

Son Wesley Lesso born (d. 1985).

Daughter Fannie born (d. 1987).

Photographer E.S. Curtis visits Hopi numerous times.  Photographs Nampeyo, her mother and her daughter Nellie.

Adam Clark Vroman, photographer for National Museum Gates exposition, comes to Hopi.   Photographs Nampeyo, Lesso, Annie and  Annie's daughter  Rachel.

Thomas Keam sells trading post to Lorenzo Hubbell, Sr., his son, Lorenzo Jr. manages it.

Nampeyo demonstrates at "Hopi House" Grand Canyon.

Nampeyo & family members with pottery in front of "Hopi House" at the Grand Canyon. Photographer unknown (1905).

Nampeyo, Lesso, Nellie and Nellie's friend Ida Avayo go to Chicago United States Land and Irrigation Exposition so that Nampeyo can demonstrate  her pottery-making techniques.

 Nampeyo dies at home of son, Wesley and his wife Cecilia Polocca.

Nampeyo in her mid 70's, holding a pot she has just made. Photo by Tad Nichols (1935).