Pipe from Pipestone National Monument

[Kevin]

Just thought some people here might find this interesting.

My dad is a retired geologist from the university. Along the way his office of course got full to overflowing. When he retired, and he found out they were just taking all the stuff to the dumpster, he found locations to donate a lot of different fossils and artifacts.

This is from Pipestone National Monument. Well, it was apparently carved before it became a National Monument, which happened in 1937. This makes it legal, and I guess pretty old too. Now of course it isn't legal to remove material from a National Monument. It was carved by an Indian of the area. I just did some quick reading and it looks like the Dakota Sioux Indians have lived in and around the area since the 1700's.

Ok, beyond this, I have no more information about it. It's obviously a pipe and ashtray. The pipe looks like it needs a stem of some kind. It's never been used. I guess someday I'll get around to donating it back to the National Monument.

My daughter bought an art book a few weeks ago about the French Impressionists. There were a lot of pictures of different paintings, and many of them listed the location as a "private collection." I.e, never to be seen by the likes of mere mortals like us. That really bothers me. Why someone should have a Monet locked away where nobody can enjoy it. So yeah, I will send it to the museum there at the Pipestone National Monument. And to quote a good song, I've never been there, they tell me it's nice.

Here is the link to the National Park Service's webpage about Pipestone National Monument.
https://www.nps.gov/pipe/index.htm

Oh, and here are a few pictures about the pipe and ashtray. It's carved, as I said. The material is very soft, you could probably scratch it with your finger nails. It reminds me of the Soapstone carvings you find in tourist traps. The color is red clay, it's really very nice, and just sitting on my shelf.

I've been meaning to post some pictures of it for a while now. I hope the pictures aren't too big.

 

[turd]

Kevin, yes, it would be the right thing to do to give it to the National Monument museum, along with an explanation of how it came to be in your hands although I don't think you are obligated to do so.

FWIW, I only live about 45 miles south of Pipestone, MN, which of course is near where the National Monument is. I've been there. In the area where I live, catlinite (the stone that is carved into pipes) isn't too hard to find. About 5 miles from where I live is a state park along the Sioux River (with an Iowa state park on the opposite side of the river) where an Indian trading village was for hundreds of years. Many examples of catlinite near there. The village was a major regional trading center and one of the major trading elements was catlinite. This is essentially how this material and pipes made from it were distributed among Indians from other areas as well.

Yes, the Indians were of the Dakota tribe (commonly known as Sioux). They call themselves 'The People', other names are what white folks called them. Much history in this area. Sioux Falls, get it? The falls are on the Sioux River, which winds its way through the area, and passes directly through this trading center. The clearest and best of the catlinite is located in the Pipestone National Monument.

There, my history lesson for the day. I am no expert, but have lived much of my life in the area.

Nice pics of the pipe and ashtray, Kevin.

 

[Kevin]

Kevin, yes, it would be the right thing to do to give it to the National Monument museum, along with an explanation of how it came to be in your hands although I don't think you are obligated to do so.

FWIW, I only live about 45 miles south of Pipestone, MN, which of course is near where the National Monument is. I've been there. In the area where I live, catlinite (the stone that is carved into pipes) isn't too hard to find. About 5 miles from where I live is a state park along the Sioux River (with an Iowa state park on the opposite side of the river) where an Indian trading village was for hundreds of years. Many examples of catlinite near there. The village was a major regional trading center and one of the major trading elements was catlinite. This is essentially how this material and pipes made from it were distributed among Indians from other areas as well.

Yes, the Indians were of the Dakota tribe (commonly known as Sioux). They call themselves 'The People', other names are what white folks called them. Much history in this area. Sioux Falls, get it? The falls are on the Sioux River, which winds its way through the area, and passes directly through this trading center. The clearest and best of the catlinite is located in the Pipestone National Monument.

There, my history lesson for the day. I am no expert, but have lived much of my life in the area.

Nice pics of the pipe and ashtray, Kevin.

Thanks, that is very interesting. I’ll get it boxed up and sent to them in a week or two and I will let you know if they reply.

 

[Wvfarrier]

I always wanted to go to the Big Medicine Wheel in the Big Horns

 

[turd]

Kevin, I think maybe the best way is to contact them, explain what you have and about your father, send the pics you posted here, then see if they want them for the museum. I don't think there is anything wrong with you having them.

 

[rugnelli]

Around here you can find carved pieces that were purchased there over the years... little animals and such. At their home, my parents still have a set of turtles (large and little) that we have had as long as I can remember...