Marc Simmons: Southwestern Treasures from the Maverick Historian

AUGUST 15 - DECEMBER 16, 2016
MARC SIMMONS: Southwestern Treasures from the Maverick Historian

Marc Simmons is the celebrated author of nearly 50 books and was knighted by the King of Spain for his contributions to Spanish colonial history. Simmons lives in a self-built adobe home without electricity or running water — and he spent sixty years building one of the great private collections of the Southwest, now housed at The Wittliff Collections.

This exhibition showcases key treasures from the Simmons archive, using Simmons’ own writing to illuminate the materials on display: vintage artifacts from Southwestern Indian tribes, ironworks from the Spanish colonial era, a private tintype album of General George Custer and other rare photographs. Also featured are historic religious artworks, Santa Fe Trail memorabilia, and correspondence with leading southwestern writers such as Edward Abbey. Selected books from Simmons’ extraordinary research library round out the display.

Press release announcing Marc Simmons acquisition

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