Halseth, Odd S.

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Anthropologist and founder of the Pueblo Grande Museum, Phoenix, Arizona.

From the description of Odd S. Halseth collection, 1909-1974 (bulk 1927-1964). (Scottsdale Public Library). WorldCat record id: 25540805

Odd Sigurd Halseth (1893-1966) lived in Phoenix, Arizona, and was an anthropologist, museum director, educator, author, art critic and lecturer. He earned his Masters in Science from the University of Southern California. Halseth was born in Moss, Norway, in 1893. As a young man, he studied electrical engineering and anthropology in Germany. He left home and went to sea, in time becoming a marine engineer. He served both Norway and the United States during World War I. While training for warfare in San Diego, he met Dr. Edgar L. Hewett. After the war Halseth went to California and worked for Hewett as curator of art at the San Diego Museum, (1922-1923). In 1923 he went to New Mexico and joined the staff of the School of American Research in Santa Fe. He also worked for the Museum of New Mexico as curator of the Puye archaeological site. In 1927, Halseth became director of the newly established Arizona Museum in Phoenix. In 1929, he was put in charge of the Phoenix Pueblo Grande Ruin, which sat amidst a large Hohokam culture site. Realizing its educational potential, he built and founded the open air Pueblo Grande Museum. He prepared the displays, wrote educational booklets, and provided classroom instruction at the site. Halseth served as the Phoenix City Archaeologist and Superintendent of the city's Division of Archaeology until his retirement in 1960. Halseth was a fellow of the American Anthropological Association; a member of the Society of American Archaeology and an honorary member of the Arizona Art Guild. He was judge and chairman of the Gallup Ceremonial Indian Arts and Crafts Exhibitions from 1927-1956. Halseth wrote several publications on Arizona archaeology, including Prehistoric Irrigation in the Salt River Valley (1936); Hohokam Pottery Designs (1941); Arizona's 1500 Years of Irrigation History (1947) and A Brief Sketch of Pueblo Grande, a Municipal Prehistoric Monument (1950). He co-authored Adobe Ovens, Fireplaces and Interiors (1938) with Elizabeth Hart, and an article with E. Boyd on the Laguna santero with an accompanying report on repair work at the Zia Mission, in El Palacio, 1977. Halseth contributed articles to International Studio; Design; Arizona Highways; Arizona Woman; San Diego Union (art notes); Arizona Republic (art notes); and numerous museum publications. He lectured on primitive art, Indian arts and crafts, and ecclesiastical art in the New World. He also did a radio series, "Forward Arizona."

From the description of Odd S. Halseth collection of Native American social songs and interviews, 1950, 1965. (University of New Mexico-Main Campus). WorldCat record id: 122339953

Odd Sigurd Halseth, anthropologist and founder of the Pueblo Grande Museum, was born to Johannes and Marit (Kaasbo) Halseth in Moss, Norway on May 19, 1893. After pursuing childhood interests in archaeological excavations in Europe, Halseth spent his teenage years travelling and finally settled in the United States in 1916. He served overseas during World War I and later established his career working at the San Diego Museum and as Curator of Archaeology at the Museum of New Mexico at Santa Fe.

Halseth came to Phoenix in 1927 and as Phoenix City Archaeologist initiated the excavation of the Pueblo Grande prehistoric Indian ruins in 1929. He founded the Pueblo Grande Museum and served as its first director. In 1944 he was appointed superintendent of parks and recreation for the City of Phoenix and also served as city manager for eight months during 1946. Halseth retired as director of the Pueblo Grande Museum in 1960 and died in July of 1966.

SOURCE: Odd S. Halseth, Archaeologist, Dies, Arizona Republic, July 16, 1966, p.31.

From the guide to the Odd S. Halseth Photographs, 1870-1960, (Arizona State University Libraries Arizona Collection)

Odd S. Halseth, anthropologist and founder of the Pueblo Grande Museum, was born in Moss, Norway in 1893. After pursuing childhood interests in archaeological excavations in Europe, Halseth spent his teenage years travelling, and finally settled in the United States in 1916. He served overseas during World War I and later established his career working at the San Diego Museum and as Curator of Archaeology at the Museum of New Mexico at Santa Fe.

Halseth came to Phoenix in 1927 and as Phoenix City Archaeologist he initiated the excavation of the Pueblo Grande prehistoric Indian ruins in 1929. He founded the Pueblo Grande Museum and served as its first director. In 1944 he was appointed superintendent of parks and recreation for the City of Phoenix, and also served as city manager for eight months during 1946. Halseth retired as director of the Pueblo Grande Museum in 1960.

SOURCE: Odd S. Halseth, Archaeologist, Dies, Arizona Republic, July 16, 1966, p.31.

From the guide to the Odd S. Halseth Photograph Collection: Pueblo Grande Photographs, 1929-1960, (Arizona State University Libraries Arizona Collection)

Odd Sigurd Halseth, anthropologist and founder of the Pueblo Grande Museum, was born to Johannes and Marit (Kaasbo) Halseth in Moss, Norway on May 19, 1893. After pursuing childhood interests in archaeological excavations in Europe, Halseth spent his teenage years travelling and finally settled in the United States in 1916. He served overseas during World War I and later established his career working at the San Diego Museum and as Curator of Archaeology at the Museum of New Mexico at Santa Fe.

Halseth came to Phoenix in 1927 and as Phoenix City Archaeologist initiated the excavation of the Pueblo Grande prehistoric Indian ruins in 1929. He founded the Pueblo Grande Museum and served as its first director. In 1944 he was appointed superintendent of parks and recreation for the City of Phoenix and also served as city manager for eight months during 1946. Halseth retired as director of the Pueblo Grande Museum in 1960 and died in July of 1966.

SOURCE: Odd S. Halseth, Archaeologist, Dies, Arizona Republic, July 16, 1966, p. 31.

From the guide to the Odd S. Halseth Collection, 1909-1974, 1927-1964, (Arizona State University Libraries Arizona Collection)

Odd Sigurd Halseth (1893-1966) lived in Phoenix, Arizona, and was an anthropologist, museum director, educator, author, art critic and lecturer. He earned his Masters in Science from the University of Southern California.

Halseth was born in Moss, Norway, in 1893. As a young man, he studied electrical engineering and anthropology in Germany. He left home and went to sea, in time becoming a marine engineer. He served both Norway and the United States during World War I. While training for warfare in San Diego, he met Dr. Edgar L. Hewett. After the war Halseth went to California and worked for Hewett as curator of art at the San Diego Museum, (1922-1923). In 1923 he went to New Mexico and joined the staff of the School of American Research in Santa Fe. He also worked for the Museum of New Mexico as curator of the Puye archaeological site. In 1927, Halseth became director of the newly established Arizona Museum in Phoenix. In 1929, he was put in charge of the Phoenix Pueblo Grande Ruin, which sat amidst a large Hohokam culture site. Realizing its educational potential, he built and founded the open air Pueblo Grande Museum. He prepared the displays, wrote educational booklets, and provided classroom instruction at the site. Halseth served as the Phoenix City Archaeologist and Superintendent of the city’s Division of Archaeology until his retirement in 1960.

Halseth was a fellow of the American Anthropological Association; a member of the Society of American Archaeology and an honorary member of the Arizona Art Guild. He was judge and chairman of the Gallup Ceremonial Indian Arts and Crafts Exhibitions from 1927-1956. Halseth wrote several publications on Arizona archaeology, including Prehistoric Irrigation in the Salt River Valley (1936); Hohokam Pottery Designs (1941); Arizona’s 1500 Years of Irrigation History (1947) and A Brief Sketch of Pueblo Grande, a Municipal Prehistoric Monument (1950). He co-authored Adobe Ovens, Fireplaces and Interiors (1938) with Elizabeth Hart, and an article with E. Boyd on the Laguna santero with an accompanying report on repair work at the Zia Mission, in El Palacio, 1977. Halseth contributed articles to International Studio; Design; Arizona Highways; Arizona Woman; San Diego Union (art notes); Arizona Republic (art notes); and numerous museum publications. He lectured on primitive art, Indian arts and crafts, and ecclesiastical art in the New World. He also did a radio series, "Forward Arizona."

Sources: El Palacio, Hunress, Diana. "Odd Halseth, One Man’s Pueblo," v. 83, no. 3, Fall 1977 People in History : an Index to U.S. and Canadian Biographies in History Journals and Dissertations, Santa Barbara, Calif.: ABC-CLIO,1998 Who Was Who in American Art, Madison, Conn : Sound View Press,1999

From the guide to the Odd S. Halseth Collection of Native American Social Songs and Interviews, 1950-1965, (University of New Mexico Center for Southwest Research)

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
creatorOf McClintock, James H., 1864-1934. James H. McClintock Photograph Collection, ca. 1860-ca. 1930 [picture]. Arizona State University Libraries
creatorOf Halseth, Odd S. Odd S. Halseth collection of Native American social songs and interviews, 1950, 1965. University of New Mexico-Main Campus
creatorOf Odd S. Halseth Collection, 1909-1974, 1927-1964 Arizona State University Libraries Arizona Collection
creatorOf Odd S. Halseth Photograph Collection: Pueblo Grande Photographs, 1929-1960 Arizona State University Libraries Arizona Collection
referencedIn Alfred Vincent Kidder Papers, 1926-1935 School for Advanced Research
creatorOf Odd Halseth collection of negatives and photographs National Museum of the American Indian (U.S.) Archive Center
creatorOf Fred Harvey (Firm). Fred Harvey Company Association files, ca. 1890-ca. 1950. The Heard Museum Library
referencedIn Loring family. The Loring family collection, 1804-ca. 1960 [manuscript]. Arizona State University Libraries
creatorOf Odd S. Halseth Photographs, 1870-1960 Arizona State University Libraries Arizona Collection
referencedIn Works Progress Administration (WPA) Statewide Archaeological Project, 1938-1940 Arizona State Museum
referencedIn McClintock, James H., 1864-1934. McClintock-Halseth collection, 1893-1947. Arizona State University Libraries
referencedIn Midvale, Frank. Frank Midvale papers, 1865-1972, bulk 1930-1972. Arizona State University Libraries
creatorOf Halseth, Odd S. Odd S. Halseth collection, 1909-1974 (bulk 1927-1964). Arizona State University Libraries
creatorOf Odd S. Halseth Collection of Native American Social Songs and Interviews, 1950-1965 The University of New Mexico, University Libraries, Center for SouthwestResearch
Role Title Holding Repository
Relation Name
associatedWith Arizona State Parks Association. corporateBody
associatedWith Fred Harvey (Firm) corporateBody
associatedWith Gachupin, Juan person
associatedWith Gachupin, Juan person
associatedWith Goldwater, Barry M. (Barry Morris), 1909- person
associatedWith John Donald Robb Archive of Southwestern Music corporateBody
associatedWith Loring family. family
associatedWith McClintock, James H., 1864-1934. person
associatedWith Midvale, Frank. person
associatedWith Pueblo Grande Museum. corporateBody
associatedWith Segomi person
associatedWith Segomi person
associatedWith Works Progress Administration (WPA) Statewide Archaeological Project corporateBody
Place Name Admin Code Country
Southwest, New
Arizona
Bosque Redondo Indian Reservation (N.M.)
North America
Arizona
Bosque Redondo Indian Reservation (N.M.)
Subject
Anthropology
Archaeology
Cochiti Indians
Conservation of natural resources
Hogans
Hogans
Hopi Indians
Indian dance
Indian dance
Indians of North America
Indians of North America
Indians of North America
Indians of North America
Indians of North America
Jemez Indians
Matachines (Dance)
Matachines (Dances)
Museum techniques
Navajo Indians
Navajo Indians
Oral history
Occupation
Photographers
Activity

Person

Active 1860

Active 1930

English,

Central American Indian languages,

North American Indian languages,

Navajo; Navaho

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