The Tony Taylor Collection

On Saturday, 29 May, the family met at the Utah Museum of Natural History on the campus of the University of Utah. Anna contacted the museum and made arrangements for us to see Uncle Tony's collection of Native American artifacts, collected over his lifetime and donated to the museum before he died. They are in the process of preparing everything for a move to a new museum near Red Butte Gardens in a about a year, so only a few things are on display. Many are archived and stored, and some are being prepared for exhibits in the new museum. Sarah George, museum director, and her staff had gone through and identified all Tony's things and had laid out a number of items just for us. We were divided into three groups and taken by Sarah and others into the archival and work areas of the museum and allowed to see much of the collection. They were incredibly kind to go to all that trouble when they are so busy. It was a walk down memory lane; we saw many items that brought back a flood of memories and triggered several stories.

When the tour was finished, some of us migrated to the Lone Star Taquerria for supper. It was a wonderful afternoon and a great addition to the Memorial Day weekend.

The Grand Poohbah for this event

Katy took quite naturally to Natural History

Phillip, Kris, and some of George's family peer
into the archival drawers

These masks hung on the wall of the cabin
for many years

They laid out many of the thing that Tony made
himself, including these pieces

They also set out some of the things that have been
published about Tony and his collection

This Nuulmal mask was always a favorite

These are packed and ready for display in the new museum

The left half of the group

The right half of the group, less Rob and the boys
who were still upstairs, and Kreg Calder
and Dorothy who took these photos

Those Ringers are pretty cute

The Lone Star Taquerria

More diners

Some of the S. K. Taylors chatting with Rob and Anna

I can't imagine a better Memorial Day activity. A big thanks to the Utah Museum of Natural History and its staff. And an even bigger thanks to Anna who thought this up, planned it, and made it happen!

OXO

D.