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Navajo Nation Council Chamber: Difference between revisions

Coordinates: 35°40′58″N 109°2′54″W / 35.68278°N 109.04833°W / 35.68278; -109.04833
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{{short description|government center of the Navajo Nation in the Southwestern United States}}
{{short description|Government center of the Navajo Nation in the Southwestern United States}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}}
{{Infobox NRHP
{{Infobox NRHP
| name = Navajo Nation Council Chamber
| name = Navajo Nation Council Chamber <br /> {{lang|nv|Béésh bąąh dah si'ání}}{{nbsp|2}}([[Navajo language|Navajo]])
| native_name =
| nrhp_type = nhl
| nrhp_type = nhl
| image = Navajo Nation Council Chambers 6809.jpg
| image = Navajo Nation Council Chambers 6809.jpg
| caption =
| caption =
| location= [[Window Rock, Arizona]]
| location= [[Window Rock, Arizona]]
| coordinates = {{coord|35|40|58|N|109|2|54|W|display=inline,title}}
| coordinates = {{coord|35|40|58|N|109|2|54|W|display=inline,title}}
Line 16: Line 18:
| refnum=04001155
| refnum=04001155
}}
}}
'''Navajo Nation Council Chamber''' ({{lang-nv|Béésh bąąh dah siʼání}}) is the center of government for the [[Navajo Nation]]. The landmark building, in [[Window Rock, Arizona]], is significant for its association with the 1930s [[New Deal]], and its change in Federal policy for relations with Native Americans, as established in the [[Indian Reorganization Act]]. With its red sandstone [[façade]] and overall [[National Park Service Rustic|rustic]] architectural style, the chamber was designed to harmonize with its spectacular natural surroundings. The building was declared a [[National Historic Landmark]] in 2004.<ref name="nhlsum"/><ref name=nhl_nom/> It is "the only legislative headquarters in the United States owned by an American Indian tribe which has been continuously in use by that tribe and whose design incorporates [[indigenous peoples|indigenous]] materials and architectural traditions tied to the Navajo heritage."<ref name="NPS2005"/>
'''Navajo Nation Council Chamber''' ({{langx|nv|Béésh bąąh dah si'ání}}) is the center of government for the [[Navajo Nation]]. The landmark building, in [[Window Rock, Arizona]], is significant for its association with the 1930s [[New Deal]], and its change in federal policy for relations with Native Americans, as established in the [[Indian Reorganization Act]]. With its red sandstone [[façade]] and overall [[National Park Service Rustic|rustic]] architectural style, the chamber was designed to harmonize with its spectacular natural surroundings. The building was declared a [[National Historic Landmark]] in 2004.<ref name="nhlsum"/><ref name=nhl_nom/> It is "the only legislative headquarters in the United States owned by an American Indian tribe which has been continuously in use by that tribe and whose design incorporates [[indigenous peoples|indigenous]] materials and architectural traditions tied to the Navajo heritage."<ref name="NPS2005"/>


==Description and history==
==Description and history==
The Navajo National Council Chamber stands amid a campus of other Navajo Nation government facilities in Window Rock, on the south side of Tribal Hill Road, sited with a view of the stone arch formation that gives Window Rock its name. It is a two-level stone structure, built out of red sandstone designed to harmonize with the surrounding sandstone formations. It is octagonal in shape, its design intended to evoke a monumental [[hogan]], the traditional building form of the [[Navajo people]]. [[Ponderosa pine]] [[viga (architecture)|viga]]s radiate outward to stone buttresses, and heavy wooden timbers serve as lintels and trim. The main entrance faces east (a traditional Navajo orientation), with flanking seven-foot wooden panels carved by the Navajo artist Charles Shirley. At the center of the structure is an octagonal [[clerestory]] level. The interior is a single large chamber, with steel columns supporting smaller vigas tied to the larger ones which support the roof.<ref name=nhl_nom>{{cite web|url={{NHLS url|04001155}}|title=NHL nomination for Navajo National Council Chamber|publisher=National Park Service|accessdate=2020-02-04}}</ref> The Navajo artist [[Gerald Nailor, Sr.]] was commissioned in 1942 for a mural cycle depicting ''The History and Progress of the Navajo Nation,'' which is installed in the interior.<ref name="NPS2005">[http://www.nps.gov/history/nr/feature/indian/2005/navajo.htm Navajo Nation Council Chamber], at National Park Service. This article incorporates [[public domain]] text from this [[US government]] website.</ref>
The Navajo National Council Chamber stands amid a campus of other Navajo Nation government facilities in Window Rock, on the south side of Tribal Hill Road, sited with a view of the stone arch formation that gives Window Rock its name. It is a two-level stone structure, built out of red sandstone designed to harmonize with the surrounding sandstone formations. It is octagonal in shape, its design intended to evoke a monumental [[hogan]], the traditional building form of the [[Navajo people]]. [[Ponderosa pine]] [[viga (architecture)|viga]]s radiate outward to stone buttresses, and heavy wooden timbers serve as lintels and trim. The main entrance faces east (a traditional Navajo orientation), with flanking seven-foot wooden panels carved by the Navajo artist Charles Shirley. At the center of the structure is an octagonal [[clerestory]] level. The interior is a single large chamber, with steel columns supporting smaller vigas tied to the larger ones which support the roof.<ref name=nhl_nom>{{cite web|url={{NHLS url|04001155}}|title=NHL nomination for Navajo National Council Chamber|publisher=National Park Service|accessdate=2020-02-04}}</ref> The Navajo artist [[Gerald Nailor, Sr.]] was commissioned in 1942 for a mural cycle depicting ''The History and Progress of the Navajo Nation,'' which is installed in the interior.<ref name="NPS2005">[http://www.nps.gov/history/nr/feature/indian/2005/navajo.htm Navajo Nation Council Chamber], at National Park Service. This article incorporates [[public domain]] text from this [[US government]] website.</ref>


The site for the building was chosen by John Collier, United States Commissioner for Indian Affairs, in 1933, and it was erected in 1934-35 with funding from the [[Public Works Administration]]. It was designed by [[Mayers Murray & Phillip]] of [[New York City]], a firm known for its Mission Revival architecture.<ref name=nhl_nom/>
The site for the building was chosen by John Collier, United States commissioner for Indian affairs, in 1933, and it was erected in 1934–35 with funding from the [[Public Works Administration]]. It was designed by [[Mayers Murray & Phillip]] of [[New York City]], a firm known for its [[Mission Revival architecture]].<ref name=nhl_nom/>


==Gallery==
==Gallery==
<Gallery widths="180px" heights="180px" perrow=2>
<Gallery widths="180px" heights="180px" perrow=2>
File:Navajo3.jpg|<center>Interior, Navajo Nation Council Chamber</center>
File:Navajo3.jpg|{{center|Interior, Navajo Nation Council Chamber}}
File:Navajo Nation Council Chamber interior during session, April 2024.jpg|{{center|Interior during a session}}
</Gallery>
</Gallery>


==See also==
==See also==
* {{Portal-inline|Arizona}}
{{Portal|Arizona|National Register of Historic Places}}
* {{Portal-inline|National Register of Historic Places}}
* [[National Register of Historic Places listings in Apache County, Arizona]]
* [[National Register of Historic Places listings in Apache County, Arizona]]
* [[List of National Historic Landmarks in Arizona]]
* [[List of National Historic Landmarks in Arizona]]
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==External links==
==External links==
{{sisterlinks|d=Q14680602|voy=Navajo Nation|c=Category:Navajo Nation Council Chamber|s=no|n=no|b=no|v=no|wikt=no|q=no|m=no|mw=no|species=no}}
{{sister project links|d=Q14680602|voy=Navajo Nation|c=Category:Navajo Nation Council Chamber|s=no|n=no|b=no|v=no|wikt=no|q=no|m=no|mw=no|species=no}}
*[http://discovernavajo.com/attractions/navajo_nation_council_chambers_20060309_188.html Navajo Nation Council Chambers tour information], Discover Navajo
* [http://discovernavajo.com/attractions/navajo_nation_council_chambers_20060309_188.html Navajo Nation Council Chambers tour information], Discover Navajo
*{{DMOZ|Society/Ethnicity/The_Americas/Indigenous/Native_Americans/Tribes%2C_Nations_and_Bands/N/Navajo/|Navajo}}
{{Window Rock, Arizona}}
{{Window Rock, Arizona}}
{{Navajo Nation}}
{{Navajo Nation}}
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[[Category:Government buildings on the National Register of Historic Places in Arizona]]
[[Category:Government buildings on the National Register of Historic Places in Arizona]]
[[Category:National Register of Historic Places in Apache County, Arizona]]
[[Category:National Register of Historic Places in Apache County, Arizona]]
[[Category:Pueblo Revival architecture in Arizona]]

Latest revision as of 00:46, 30 October 2024

Navajo Nation Council Chamber
Béésh bąąh dah si'ání  (Navajo)
Navajo Nation Council Chamber is located in Arizona
Navajo Nation Council Chamber
Navajo Nation Council Chamber is located in the United States
Navajo Nation Council Chamber
LocationWindow Rock, Arizona
Coordinates35°40′58″N 109°2′54″W / 35.68278°N 109.04833°W / 35.68278; -109.04833
Area1.6 acres (0.65 ha)
Built1935 (1935)
ArchitectMayers Murray & Phillip (Goodhue); Navajo Craftsman
Architectural stylePueblo Revival, rustic
NRHP reference No.04001155
Significant dates
Added to NRHPAugust 18, 2004[1]
Designated NHLAugust 18, 2004[2]

Navajo Nation Council Chamber (Navajo: Béésh bąąh dah si'ání) is the center of government for the Navajo Nation. The landmark building, in Window Rock, Arizona, is significant for its association with the 1930s New Deal, and its change in federal policy for relations with Native Americans, as established in the Indian Reorganization Act. With its red sandstone façade and overall rustic architectural style, the chamber was designed to harmonize with its spectacular natural surroundings. The building was declared a National Historic Landmark in 2004.[2][3] It is "the only legislative headquarters in the United States owned by an American Indian tribe which has been continuously in use by that tribe and whose design incorporates indigenous materials and architectural traditions tied to the Navajo heritage."[4]

Description and history

[edit]

The Navajo National Council Chamber stands amid a campus of other Navajo Nation government facilities in Window Rock, on the south side of Tribal Hill Road, sited with a view of the stone arch formation that gives Window Rock its name. It is a two-level stone structure, built out of red sandstone designed to harmonize with the surrounding sandstone formations. It is octagonal in shape, its design intended to evoke a monumental hogan, the traditional building form of the Navajo people. Ponderosa pine vigas radiate outward to stone buttresses, and heavy wooden timbers serve as lintels and trim. The main entrance faces east (a traditional Navajo orientation), with flanking seven-foot wooden panels carved by the Navajo artist Charles Shirley. At the center of the structure is an octagonal clerestory level. The interior is a single large chamber, with steel columns supporting smaller vigas tied to the larger ones which support the roof.[3] The Navajo artist Gerald Nailor, Sr. was commissioned in 1942 for a mural cycle depicting The History and Progress of the Navajo Nation, which is installed in the interior.[4]

The site for the building was chosen by John Collier, United States commissioner for Indian affairs, in 1933, and it was erected in 1934–35 with funding from the Public Works Administration. It was designed by Mayers Murray & Phillip of New York City, a firm known for its Mission Revival architecture.[3]

[edit]
  • Interior, Navajo Nation Council Chamber
    Interior, Navajo Nation Council Chamber
  • Interior during a session
    Interior during a session

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. January 23, 2007.
  2. ^ a b "Navajo Nation Council Chamber". National Historic Landmark summary listing. National Park Service. Archived from the original on March 3, 2009. Retrieved September 27, 2007.
  3. ^ a b c "NHL nomination for Navajo National Council Chamber". National Park Service. Retrieved February 4, 2020.
  4. ^ a b Navajo Nation Council Chamber, at National Park Service. This article incorporates public domain text from this US government website.
[edit]
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