Part of our tour of the Navajo and Hopi reservations were visits to different trading posts and shops along the way. But nothing prepared me for the wonderful Hubbell Trading Post National Historic Site in Ganado, Arizona.
First you need to know that I love historic homes. Show me a home museum, and you have shown me the spark of joy! The Hubbell Trading Post combines the history of trading between the outside world and the Navajo as well as a historic home.
The trading post itself was an important commerce arena for the Navajo. John Lorenzo Hubbell, his wife, Lina Rubi, and their children were friends to the Navajo people. Although they made money off of them through the trade of their native art works for goods sold at the trading post, they cared about the people. This shows in the fact that the Hubbell Trading Post was under the business eye of the Hubbell family from the 1880s until well past Hubbell’s death in 1930. In fact a member of the Hubbell family ran the trading post until 1967, when his daughter-in-law Dorothy Hubbell sold the post to the National Park Service.
The Trading Post still works as a trading post today along with the US post office at the post. Today it is managed by the Western National Parks Association, with the profits going to programs of the National Park Service.
But seeing and shopping at the Trading Post is not the only highlight of this visit. We also had the opportunity to see the Hubbell home, which sits behind the trading post. The big central room has three doors on each side leading to the bedrooms used by John and Lina and their children. We did not see the kitchen, which was a separate area. But we were happy to see the house. It was a snowy cold day and they allowed us in, with the caveat that we had to take off our shoes!!! BRRRR.
The original woven rugs are no longer on the floors, but the recreations are also stunning. The walls filled with painting and art work, the ceilings covered with woven baskets, the giant wooden beams, the high ceilings, the unusual lighting, all create an atmosphere that gave me joy.
The Visitors’ Center a few steps away from the Trading Post was also a great stop. Inside you can pick up brochures, learn about the history of the trading post. The display about weaving was wonderful. The best part was the opportunity to watch a woman weave in the traditional manner. Well worth the visit!
Seeing the Hubbell Trading Post would have been enough for my trading post desires, but we had an additional bonus. The last night of our trip was spent at the hotel at the Cameron Trading Post. Just over 100 years old, (founded in 1916) it is just one mile from the Grand Canyon and just steps away from the Little Colorado River.
The enormous store or trading post is filled with items from the Navajo and Hopi. It was a feast for the eyes, but not for the wallet!!! We went through the shop many times on our way to the restaurant, and just for entertainment. The dining hall was a work of art itself with its tin ceiling, wonderful rock fireplace, rug hangings and antique windows.
We enjoyed the night in our spacious hotel room where we could easily go out and see the bridge that spanned the river.
I was glad that we were able to learn the history of trading posts that were positive for the Navajo and Hopi peoples. It was exciting to spend time at them and to learn about the importance in the past and their continued importance now.
zicharonot 
Did you get to the Grand Canyon itself?
Not on this trip unfortunately. But we have been there before.