Rate This Article American Indian Trade Blankets The Rise of Pendleton Woolen Mills as the Primary Trade Blanket of Contemporary Native Americans Credit Above Photo: Visitor7, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons American Indian Trade Blankets The Rise of Pendleton Woolen Mills as the Primary Trade [read more]
Throughout the period of the “Indian trade” in America, there were a number of both manufacturers and distributors of point blankets over the years. English made blankets were marketed by many different firms, including T. Eaton’s; Early’s of Witney; BCW; Globe; Gault’s; Mackay, Smith, Blair & Co. (Vancouver); Push, Tact & Principle; Simpsons; Hudson Bay Company as well as several others.
This article, A Visual History of Tradecloth, A Partial Record, is an enhancement of the original presentation at the Material Culture of the Plains, Prairie and Plateau Conference (MCPPP), National Cowboy Hall of Fame and Western Heritage Museum, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, October 16-18, 2008. It is an attempt to show examples of the various types of trade cloth and their use by American Indian people over time.
Beads often reveal long-lost histories of countries, cultures, and people. For example, in November 2009, archaeologists with Atlanta’s Fernbank Museum of Natural History unearthed the first evidence of conquistador Hernando de Soto’s stay in Georgia, in the U.S., in 1540. The evidence used to make this determination is beads!
Rate This Article History of Clay Pipes from Fort Union National Historic Site © 2002-2009 J. Byron Sudbury Fort Union National Historic Site, North Dakota Photo Credit: Foto: R. Heyen, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons History of Clay Pipes from Fort Union National Historic Site © 2002-2009 [read more]
Rate This Article Lewis and Clark Compass Exhibition of "The American Presidency" features Lewis & Clark Compass Photo Credit: Samuel Lewis, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons. Lewis and Clark track map published 1814 (cropped). Lewis and Clark Compass Exhibition of "The American Presidency" features Lewis & Clark Compass [read more]
The emerging middle class of the 18th century wanted to enjoy things traditionally reserved for the upper classes. Upper class amenities emulated in tin reflected this new status. The new world was also a rough and tumble place. The durability (and light weight) of tin allowed for shipping over rough roads and great distances.
Crazy Crow Trading Post offers articles on a wide variety of American Indian History, Mountain Man and Redezvous (both French Fur Trade and Rocky Mountain eras), and other historic reenator topics of interest. These articles include: 18th & 19th Century American Historical Reenactments, History of European Gorget as Native American Trade Items, History of Fort Ligonier, Big Tree: Kiowa Warrior and Chief, History of Fort Union Trading Post, Indian Fry Bread History, Frybread Recipes From Various Tribes, History of Button Manufacture, Use & Classification, Lenape Ribbonwork, Florida Seminole Wars Reenactments, Difference in a Mountain Man Rendezvous and Voyageur Rendezvous, Hawk Bells: From European Falconry to American Trade Goods, Discover Fort Ticonderoga, Tricorn Hat History, Early American Tinware, and much more.
Beginning any craft project, especially if it is your first time working on a particular item, requires some patience – and a plan. Is your craft work representative of contemporary design, or do you have a particular ‘period’ in mind? Will your project reflect some general ‘Native American’ look, or is there a specific tribal design to be achieved? Do you have instructions on the materials needed and assembly techniques required?
Learn about Native American Indian culture & traditions from Crazy Crow Trading Post as we develop a wide range of articles on crafts, history, and culture.
