Hubbell Trading Post National Historic Site

Hubbell Trading Post National Historic Site offers visitors an unforgettable journey back in time, letting them step inside buildings that showcase the tradition and weaving artistry that remains vibrant today.

Learn the story of one family business’s evolution over a century as it survived an outbreak of Smallpox and Arizona gained statehood.

History

Hubbell Trading Post National Historic Site provides a captivating setting to discover Native American arts and culture, with towering sandstone cliffs and snow-capped peaks of the Navajo Nation providing a breathtaking backdrop. It strives to preserve traditional arts through ongoing trading relationships with Navajo artisans.

Hubbell established this remarkable national park on the Navajo Nation near Ganado, Arizona, in 1878 to supply local Indigenous tribes with essential items needed for daily living while also encouraging weaving and silverwork by local artisans.

As you visit this national treasure, you’ll have an incredible opportunity to witness one of America’s oldest continuously operating trading posts in action. The museum features everything from handmade Navajo tapestries and silver and turquoise jewelry to baskets and horse collars; plus, you can take home something memorable from its gift shop!

Inside this two-story adobe building, visitors can learn more about the history and day-to-day operations of this historic landmark from knowledgeable staff. Exhibits provide insight into its daily operations – for instance, preserving traditional Navajo crafts. Furthermore, its museum houses photographs, paintings, and other artifacts from throughout the region.

Hubbell Trading Post National Park offers visitors an excellent chance to step back in time and discover this remarkable place operating since 1878. Offering rich historical experiences for both Native Americans and non-natives alike, it provides a deep historical immersion for both groups – the Navajo people had profound and close ties with its traders, making trade relationships flourish and today remains a living reminder.

Hubbell traded various goods at the post, from food and clothing to horses and tools. He was widely revered as an influential trader who inspired Navajo, Hopi, and Zuni artisans to craft high-quality items for the post – known for his generosity and compassionate attitude toward them all.

After his death in 1930, the trading post continued operating under the supervision of family members. John Lorenzo and Roman, John’s two sons, carried on its business until it was sold to the National Park Service in 1967.

Artwork

Hubbell Trading Post National Historic Site, established in Ganado, Arizona, on the Navajo Indian Reservation during John Lorenzo Hubbell’s time and is known today as one of the oldest trading posts in the Southwest. Conveniently located near Ganado Airport for travel between Phoenix and Tucson. Throughout John’s lifetime both Anglo-Americans and Navajo people would congregate here to trade goods.

At this historic site are a trading post, family home, visitor center with weaving demonstrations, and weaving demonstrations run by Western National Parks Association – a non-profit that upholds trading traditions established by the Hubbell family and promotes Native American arts and crafts through biannual Friends of Hubbell Native American Art Auction as well as providing scholarships to Navajo, Hopi, Zuni, Acoma, and Laguna college students.

Eskeets reported that Navajo rugs are in high demand worldwide for their intricate craftsmanship and depiction in Western movies, according to Eskeets. He stated the average cost for one at his trading post ranged between $20 and $1,000 but noted he has seen them sell for even higher sums.

He noted that several Navajo weavers had complained to him about how the trading post’s shift toward online sales hurts them financially and expressed hope that its old model would soon return.

In addition to rugs, this site features traditional Navajo silverwork and oral histories. Visitors can enter the trading post; tours are also available throughout the day.

The trading post was acquired by the National Park Service in 1967, and initially refused to operate it as a business; only after lobbying by residents did NPS director George Hartzog agree to run an active trading post as part of his vision to demonstrate how parks do not remain stagnant over time and ensure its business model could adapt as the Navajo community changed over time. Now a part museum, part art gallery, and still functioning trading post, the current site serves both functions simultaneously.

Store

Welcome to Hubbell Trading Post, one of America’s oldest mercantile stores that remain open after almost 150 years! Squeaky wooden floors and ornate iron doors of its old mercantile store greet you upon entering this historic site, transporting you back through time. Once inside, it is evident why this Hubbell trading post remains operational today.

Visitors to Western National Parks Association can purchase merchandise, from Navajo rugs to jewelry and arts and crafts, books, postcards and souvenirs in the park store. As members, they can also receive 15% discounts on store purchases!

Hubbell was most well known for providing goods to local Navajo and Hopi tribes, however, the company also made notable strides towards national marketing of Navajo arts and crafts, helping revive the weaving industry during the late 19th-century revival, saving Navajo rug from becoming extinct in some cases.

This 160-acre homestead features the Hubbell Trading Post, Hubbell Residence, and Visitor Center and can be found off U.S. Highway 264 in Ganado, Arizona – it’s entirely surrounded by the Navajo Nation Reservation. Operated by the National Park Service, it’s one of many trading posts and homesteads once owned and managed by John Lorenzo Hubbell and their family.

Hubbell Trading Post is open year-round, but ideal times to visit are early summer through mid-fall when temperatures are mild and comfortable – perfect for spending a pleasant day outdoors! These months also feature little rainfall, as days remain long and sunny, and autumn colors offer spectacular displays. While winter temperatures may be lower, nonetheless, this time of year remains enjoyable to visit Hubbell Trading Post.

Tours

Imagine yourself back in 1885, riding your wagon over Pueblo Colorado Wash (Lok’aah Niteel or Wide Reeds). Your journey took days but finally brought you to Hubbell Trading Post; once through its rustic doors, you have entered an interactive historical site that dates back over 170 years! Hubbell Trading Post remains open today as one of the Navajo Nation’s oldest continuous trading operations and can offer visitors an insight into Navajo culture and tradition.

Hubbell Trading Post has retained its cultural landscape integrity through settings, designs, materials, workmanship, feelings, and associations. Since Hubbell began homesteading, his efforts have remained relatively unchanged with regard to primary work and field areas defined by fences, roads and irrigation ditches, and canals separating these spaces – often using recycled objects from bits of wood to wire which were stockpiled and later reused in another project.

Hubbell was one of the most successful traders in Navajo history and is credited with popularizing Native American weaving to a broader audience. Through his talent and creativity, he helped preserve this art form and preserve Navajo culture. Additionally, his trading post houses his collection of Western and Native American artwork.

This site, owned and managed by the National Park Service, remains an active trading post, open for over 100 years and selling groceries, supplies, and Native American arts and crafts. Situated on the Navajo Reservation near Ganado in Arizona about an hour’s drive from Gallup. Visitors to this park may also enjoy homestead tours as well as salesroom visits or an exhibit center visit.

Guided tours of the ubbellH Homestead are offered daily for a nominal fee and are limited to 15 people per tour. Visitors may also explore independently by following self-guided maps and brochures provided at the site, while wheelchair access is also provided within it. It also boasts its time zone from March through November, with daylight savings time observed here.