The collection consists of photographs of Mesquaki (Fox) people, probably made during or as part of Sol Taxʹs action anthropology work with the Fox Tribe. It includes images of people, dances, archery, handicraft, vending, medical examinations, and food preparation at a single event, probably a powwow.
Herbert Sheldon Becker was a student of Sol Tax during his Fox Project (1948-1953) with the University of Chicago and the Mesquaki settlement at Tama, Iowa. Becker later became a photographer associated with the university.
The collection is open for research.
Access to the collection requires an appointment.
Contact the repository for terms of use.
Photo lot 38, Herbert Becker photographs of Meskwaki people, National Anthropological Archives, Smithsonian Institution
The National Anthropological Archives also holds Sol Tax's Fox field notes and Fox Project records (MS 4802) and the University of Chicago Fort Berthold Action Anthropology Project records (MS 4805).
The Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago Library holds two photographs by Herbert Sheldon Becker.