Dutton’s Dirty Diggers

Bertha P. Dutton and the Senior Girl Scout Archaeological Camps in the American Southwest, 1947–1957

By Catherine S Fowler

Catherine Fowler chronicles a significant yet little-known program for Girl Scouts in post–WWII America. At a time when women were just beginning to enter fields traditionally dominated by men, these two-week camping caravans and archaeological excavations introduced teenage girls not only to the rich cultural and scientific heritage of the American Southwest but to new career possibilities. Dr. Bertha Dutton, curator at the Museum of New Mexico, served as trip leader.

While on the road and in camp, Dutton and other experts in anthropology, archaeology, geology, natural history, and more helped the campers appreciate what they were seeing and learning. This book details the history of the program, sharing trip itineraries and selected memories from the nearly three hundred girls who attended the camps. It also serves as a mini-biography and tribute to Bertha Dutton, who, through her knowledge, teaching, and strong persona, provided a role model for these young women, many of whom later pursued careers in anthropology and related fields.

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Catherine S. Fowler is Foundation Professor of Anthropology Emerita at the University of Nevada, Reno, and research associate at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History. Her recent publications include Isabel T. Kelly’s Southern Paiute Ethnographic Field Notes, 1932–1934, co-authored with Darla Garey-Sage.

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Table of Contents:Publisher’s Note
List of Abbreviations
List of Name Changes
Preface
Acknowledgments

1. Introduction
2. Getting Started: The 1947 Camp
3. The Archaeological Mobile Camps Refined and Developed: 1948–1951
4. Archaeological Mobile Camps Continue: 1952–1957
5. “A Dig of Our Own”: The Pueblo Largo Excavation Camps, 1951–1957
6. Transitions and Changes: 1952–1958
7. Bert’s Final Season and the Demise of the Program
8. Continuing Along the Trail: The Galisteo Basin Again
9. Honoring Their Mentor: Reunion and Memorial
10. Bertha Dutton’s Legacy: “I Have Over 200 Daughters”
Epilogue
 
Appendix A: Roster of Dutton’s Dirty Diggers and Staff, Archaeological Mobile Camps and Excavation Camps, 1947–1957 – Compiled by Susan S. Martin
Appendix B: Basic Qualifications (GSUSA) for National Camping Events and Personal Equipment List, Senior Girl Scout Archaeological Mobile Camps
Appendix C: The Singing Diggers – Compiled by Jo Tice Bloom, Mary Anne Stein, and Susan Martin
Appendix D: Senior Girl Scout Archaeological Mobile Camp Routes and Itineraries, 1947–1957
Appendix E: Senior Girl Scout Archaeological Mobile Camp and Dig Camp Speakers List, 1947–1957
Appendix F: Job Descriptions, Archaeological Mobile Camp for Senior Girl Scouts, 1955
Manuscript Sources and Additional Photograph Credits
Notes
Bibliography