Only in Albuquerque

New additions to the Museum’s history galleries are on display.

SEPTEMBER 11, 2021 MARKED THE 20TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ATTACK ON THE WORLD TRADE CENTER AND THE PENTAGON, taking the lives of almost 3000 people. Although Albuquerque seems far removed from New York City and Washington, D.C., this historic day had an impact nationwide and globally. The Museum, in its continuing work to tell a more complex history, recently purchased a monumental weaving for the permanent collection. Diné weaver Marilyn J. Scott, from Tuba City, Arizona, created the stunning textile commemorating 9/11. The weaving, which has a very tight weave, took 700 hours to complete over several months. In the Navajo tradition, the “n” is backward, creating a conscious flaw. Marilyn Scott was trained in traditional Diné weaving by her mother, Bessie Yazzie. Curator of History Leslie Kim says, “This weaving is particularly important to our collecting efforts both because it is executed by a contemporary Diné weaver, and because the subject matter addresses a topic we have not yet been able to illuminate with objects.”

Scott’s son drew the design for the weaving to commemorate the events of that day. Skip Maisel, who operated Skip Maisel’s Indian Jewelry and Crafts on Central Avenue for decades and who purchased the business from his