Philleo Nash papers
name: label: Creator
content: Nash, Philleo, 1909-1987
label: Names
content: American Anthropological Association
label: Names
content: East Bay Area United Indian Council -- Oakland, California
label: Names
content: DuBois, Cora -- Klamath notes (copies)
label: Correspondent
content: Eggan, Fred, 1906-1991
label: Correspondent
content: Gower, Charlotte
label: Correspondent
content: Hill, W. W. (Willard Williams), 1902-1974
label: Depicted
content: Humphrey, Hubert
label: Depicted
content: Kennedy, John F. (1917-1963)
label: Correspondent
content: Opler, Morris Edward
label: Correspondent
content: Redfield, Robert, 1897-1958
place: label: Place
content: Canada -- Ontario -- Lake Alymer -- archeology
topic: label: Topic
content: Indians of North America -- Northeast
label: Topic
content: Ghost dance -- Klamath
label: Topic
content: Nativistic religions -- American Indians
creator: label: Creator
content: Nash, Philleo, 1909-1987
culture: label: Culture
content: Sahnish (Arikara)
label: Culture
content: Minnesota Chippewa [Red Lake, Minnesota]
label: Culture
content: Arctic peoples
label: Culture
content: Apsáalooke (Crow/Absaroke)
label: Culture
content: Cocopa
label: Culture
content: Colville
label: Culture
content: Indians of North America -- Plateau
label: Culture
content: Indians of North America -- Northwest Coast of North America
label: Culture
content: Indians of North America -- Southwest, New
label: Culture
content: Hualapai  (Walapai)
label: Culture
content: American Indians -- Religion
label: Culture
content: Indians of North America -- Great Plains
label: Culture
content: Indians of North America -- Subarctic
label: Culture
content: Maya
label: Culture
content: Oneida
label: Culture
content: Jews -- Toronto, Ontario
label: Culture
content: Eskimos
label: Culture
content: Klamath
label: Culture
content: Piipaash (Maricopa)
label: Culture
content: Anishinaabe (Chippewa/Ojibwa)
label: Culture
content: Spokan
label: Culture
content: Walla Walla (Wallawalla)
label: Culture
content: Quechan (Yuma/Cuchan)
label: Culture
content: A:shiwi (Zuni)
label: Culture
content: Oraons
label: Culture
content: Puyallup
label: Culture
content: Akimel O'odham (Pima)
label: Culture
content: Samoan
label: Culture
content: Quileute
label: Culture
content: Shawnee
label: Culture
content: Samoans
label: Culture
content: Sioux
label: Culture
content: Hopi Pueblo
label: Culture
content: Havasupai (Coconino)
label: Culture
content: Modoc
label: Culture
content: Apache
label: Culture
content: Diné (Navajo)
setName: label: See more items in
content: Philleo Nash papers
abstract: label: Summary
content: The Philleo Nash papers attest to Nash's interest in anthropology, not only research and teaching but also in its application to public service. His papers can be separated into four main areas: undergraduate and graduate education, research, teaching, and public service. Files contain class notes from Nash's undergraduate and graduate studies as well as papers by well-known professors lecturing at the University of Chicago including Ralph Linton, Robert Redfield, and R.A. Radcliffe-Brown. The bulk of his research was conducted in the Pacific Northwest where he studied the Klamath-Modoc culture on the reservation, focusing on revivalism and socio-political organization (1935-1937). Other research included archeology at two sites, a study of the Toronto Jewish community, and a continuing interest in minority issues. Nash taugh at the University of Toronto (1937- 1941) and at American University in Washington, D.C. (1971-1977). Teaching files contain lecture notes from his work at the University of Toronto. Public service files include correspondence from the period when he was Lieutenant Governor of Wisconsin (1959-1961) as well as reports and photos from the years as Commissioner of Indian Affairs (1961-1966). Other public service and business positions are not represented in these files.
bioghist: label: Biographical Note
content: Philleo Nash was born on October 25, 1909, in Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin.  He studied at the University of Wisconsin, taking a year off to study music at the Curtis Institute in Philadelphia.  On his return to the University of Wisconsin, Nash completed his undergraduate degree in anthropology (1932) and went on to the University of Chicago for a Ph.D. in anthropology (1937).  His doctoral dissertation explored the concepts of revivalism and social change with a focus on the Klamath Ghost Dance activities of the 1870s.

Nash held positions in teaching as well as in government and his family business.  He was a lecturer in anthropology at the University of Toronto (1937-1941).  He also lectured at the University of Wisconsin (1941-1942) and at American University in Washington, D.C. (1971-1977).

From 1942 to 1953, Nash served in various positions in the federal government, first in the Office of War Information and later as Assistant to President Truman, focusing on minority affairs and as liaison to the Department of the Interior.  During this period in Washington, Nash also acted as President of the Georgetown Day School (1945-1952), where he was one of the founders of this racially integrated cooperative school.  In 1953, Nash returned to Wisconsin where his interest in politics continued, and he became Lieutenant Governor of Wisconsin from 1959 to 1961.  In 1961, he returned to Washington, DC as U.S. Commissioner of Indian Affairs, a position he held until 1966.

Following his work as Commissioner, Nash remained in Washington where he acted as a consultant in applied anthropology and held offices in various associations including hte Society for Applied Anthropology (SfAA), the American Anthropological Association (AAA), and the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS).  During all the years of professional responsibilities, Nash also held positions in the family business, Biron Cranberry Company.  He returned to Wisconsin in 1977 to be President and Manager of the Company.

Throughout his life Nash was active in various associations for science and anthropology.  He was awarded the AAA's Distinguished Service Award in 1984.  In 1986, the SfAA presented him with the Bronislaw Malinowski Award in recognition of outstanding scholarship and long term commitment in applying the social sciences to contemporary issues.

Philleo Nash died in 1987.  Some years before his death Nash sent his archaeological research material from the Pound Village Site (1938-1939) to Toronto and his research material from the DuBay Village Site (1940) to the Milwaukee Public Museum.  According to the terms of his will, his government and political papers are housed at the Harry S. Truman Library in Independence, Missouri.

Reference: Landman, Ruth H. and Katherine S. Halpern (eds.).  Applied Anthropologist and Public Servant: the Life and Work of Philleo Nash.  NAPA Bulletin #7.  Washington, DC: American Anthropological Association, 1989.
physdesc: label: Extent
content: 12 Linear feet (24 boxes)
unitdate: label: Date
content: 1931-1986
dataSource: label: Archival Repository
content: National Anthropological Archives
identifier: label: Identifier
content: NAA.1990-23
objectType: label: Type
content: Collection descriptions
label: Type
content: Archival materials
arrangement: label: Arrangement
content: Arranged in 6 series: (I) Education (1931-1937), (II) Klamath-Modoc Culture (1930s), (III) Teaching (1937-1942, 1971-1977), (IV) Miscellaneous (1936-1986), (V) Non-Academic Positions (1939-1970), (VI) Photos (1931-1967).
scopecontent: label: Scope and Contents
content: The Philleo Nash Papers attest to Nash's interest in anthropology, not only research and teaching but also in its application to public service.  His papers can be separated into four main areas: undergraduate and graduate education, research, teaching, and public service.  Files contain class notes from Nash's undergraduate and graduate studies as well as papers by well-known professors lecturing at the University of Chicago including Ralph Linton, Robert Redfield, and R.A. Radcliffe-Brown.  The bulk of his research was conducted in the Pacific Northwest where he studied the Klamath-Modoc culture on the reservation, focusing on revivalism and socio-political organization (1935-1937).  Other research included archeology at two sites, a study of the Toronto Jewish community, and a continuing interest in minority issues.  Nash taugh at the University of Toronto (1937-1941) and at American University in Washington, D.C. (1971-1977).  Teaching files contain lecture notes from his work at the University of Toronto.  Public service files include correspondence from the period when he was Lieutenant Governor of Wisconsin (1959-1961) as well as reports and photos from the years as Commissioner of Indian Affairs (1961-1966).  Other public service and business positions are not represented in these files.

Please note that the contents of the collection and the language and terminology used reflect the context and culture of the time of its creation. As an historical document, its contents may be at odds with contemporary views and terminology and considered offensive today. The information within this collection does not reflect the views of the Smithsonian Institution or National Anthropological Archives, but is available in its original form to facilitate research.
relatedmaterial: label: Related Materials
content: According to the terms of his will, Nash's government and political papers are housed at the Harry S. Truman Library in Independence, Missouri.