05/29/2026
A remarkable piece of Diné weaving history preserved within our museum collection.
This rare Navajo rug, woven in 1911 at Gallegos Wash near Simpson Trading Post south of Farmington, is attributed to a young Navajo weaver known as Yanapah. Featuring the powerful “Four Gods” design, the textile carries both artistic mastery and a deeply rooted story tied to Navajo history and tradition.
Yanapah was known alongside her sister as one of the area’s gifted weavers. Her life became intertwined with Richard Thomas Flindal Simpson, known locally as Dick Simpson, an early trading post owner in the region. Their story, remembered through both oral history and this weaving, remains an important reflection of the cultural intersections and complexities of the early Southwest.
This rug was later preserved as a museum piece by Bob Leighton of Cortez, Colorado, honoring the extraordinary craftsmanship of Navajo weavers from the early 20th century. Today, it stands as both a historic artwork and a testament to the enduring legacy of Diné weaving traditions.
We invite you to visit the museum and experience pieces like this in person. 🧶
