Today in Wheeling History: August 20 — Sallie Wagner, born in Wheeling and known for her work as an anthropologist, businesswoman, and arts patron who significantly impacted Navajo culture and Santa Fe, passed away in Santa Fe, New Mexico at the age of 93 (2006).
Sallie Wagner (June 7, 1913 - August 20, 2006) was an anthropologist, businesswoman, and arts patron who significantly impacted Navajo culture and Santa Fe. Born Sarah Roberts Wagner in Wheeling, West Virginia, to Dwight and Elsie Whitaker Wagner, she grew up in a family involved in the iron and steel industry. Sallie developed an early interest in archaeology, exploring her family's property and the Ohio River. She studied anthropology at the University of Chicago before operating the Wide Ruins Trading Post in Arizona from 1938 to 1950. There, she improved Navajo weaving and documented life through film. In Santa Fe, Wagner supported numerous artists and organizations, promoting Native American and Hispanic crafts. She authored a memoir and was honored as a Santa Fe Living Treasure in 1990, leaving a lasting impact on both the Navajo Nation and Santa Fe.
To learn more: (https://shorturl.at/x58oI) (https://shorturl.at/93eVw) (https://shorturl.at/qHF7E) (http://alturl.com/fdhwi) (http://alturl.com/jfkmi) (http://alturl.com/utdxf)
Photo credits: Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV; The Santa Fe New Mexican
Sallie Wagner (June 7, 1913 - August 20, 2006) was an anthropologist, businesswoman, and arts patron who significantly impacted Navajo culture and Santa Fe. Born Sarah Roberts Wagner in Wheeling, West Virginia, to Dwight and Elsie Whitaker Wagner, she grew up in a family involved in the iron and steel industry. Sallie developed an early interest in archaeology, exploring her family's property and the Ohio River. She studied anthropology at the University of Chicago before operating the Wide Ruins Trading Post in Arizona from 1938 to 1950. There, she improved Navajo weaving and documented life through film. In Santa Fe, Wagner supported numerous artists and organizations, promoting Native American and Hispanic crafts. She authored a memoir and was honored as a Santa Fe Living Treasure in 1990, leaving a lasting impact on both the Navajo Nation and Santa Fe.
To learn more: (https://shorturl.at/x58oI) (https://shorturl.at/93eVw) (https://shorturl.at/qHF7E) (http://alturl.com/fdhwi) (http://alturl.com/jfkmi) (http://alturl.com/utdxf)
Photo credits: Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV; The Santa Fe New Mexican
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