Santa Fe Living Treasures – Elder Stories

In 1938, after serving as assistant director to Hewett at the Museum of New Mexico, Bertha took over the old armory building in Santa Fe, where she built the ethnology department. There she made furniture and display cases, and designed and catalogued the collection. She invited local Pueblo people to help her create this showplace.

Bertha's circle of friends extended to Indians, who shared their knowledge with her. She was proud of these friendships. "I knew Indians," she said. "I had my friends in all the pueblos. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else in the world. It's just been open doors, if you want to go in."