Hidden Treasures: Butterfly Lodge Museum, Greer

A stunning example of Naoma’s beadwork.

My first independent gig as Museum Pros was a makeover at the Butterfly Lodge Museum in Greer, AZ. I was invited to volunteer by friend and colleague, Brenda Abney, who coordinated a field services team. What an experience!

Butterfly Lodge, “Apuni Oyis” in Blackfeet, was built in 1913 as a hunting cabin for James Willard Schultz, renown author of western lore at the turn of the 20th century. He was an adventurer, explorer, and wordsmith who traveled the west in search of inspiration. He found it in Arizona among other places and spent time in Greer at the little cabin. In 1920, Schultz and his son, Hart Merriam, also known as Lone Wolf, stayed at Butterfly Lodge and used it as base camp for a hunting and exploring excursion in the state. Later, Lone Wolf and wife Naoma used the Lodge as a winter/spring home and studio.

In the 1970s, the cabin was turned over to the parks service, with its contents intact. Those artifacts became the core of the collection for the historic house museum there today. Schultz’s memorabilia, Lone Wolf’s studio, and much of Naoma’s beaded art and personal belongings are preserved and exhibited beautifully.

The weekend spent in Greer was a whirlwind of stabilizing, storing, cataloging, and mounting artifacts in advance of the Museum’s open season. My job was the master bedroom, which was full of personal memorabilia. Being in that intimate space was thrilling, as it enabled me to see a tiny glimpse of their lives as a couple, as artists, and as members of the community. I processed ball gowns and hiking boots, fur stoles and unfinished moccasins. With each artifact, I felt a bit closer to the story, and got a glimpse of the fascinating lives these people led.

Take a field trip and go! The museum is open seasonally, so call for hours of operation. Greer is beautiful and welcoming, and while there, be sure to stop in at the historic Molly Butler Lodge Restaurant. History is cool.

Stitching a cover on a mannequin in the master bedroom.