Alan R. Woolworth (August 19, 1924 - August 13, 2014) was an American archaeologist known for his career at the Minnesota Historical Society. [1] Most of his career focused on the Indigenous peoples in Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Minnesota. [2]
Alan R. Woolworth was born on August 19, 1924, in Clear Lake, North Dakota, where he was raised. [3] At 19, he enlisted in the army. He served in the 70th Infantry Division and was stationed in France and Germany where he was wounded. He later served in Czechoslovakia. [2] He received a Purple Heart with an oak leaf cluster and a Bronze Star. [4]
Upon returning from Europe, he attended the University of Nebraska and the University of Minnesota to study archaeology. [2] He earned his bachelors degree in History and Anthropology at the University of Nebraska, and his masters at the University of Minnesota. [4]
Beginning in 1952, he served as the staff archeologist at the State Historical Society of North Dakota for five years. [2] He later worked as a curator in the Dearborn Historical Museum in Michigan for three years. [2] He then spent several decades at the Minnesota Historical Society. Throughout his time there, he was museum curator, head of the Museum and Historic Sites department, chief archaeologist, and finally a research fellow. [2] A compiled collection of his papers can be found at the Minnesota Historical Society. [2]
Woolworth, along with his wife, Nancy, formed the Woolworth Research Associates. [2] He also helped start a publishing company called the Prairie Smoke Press. [4]
Alan R. Woolworth passed away on August 13, 2014, shortly before his 90th birthday, in North Memorial Hospital in Minneapolis. [3] Woolworth left behind two daughters and four grandchildren. [4] He was known as a friend to the Sioux Community until his death. [3]
Alan R. Woolworth (August 19, 1924 - August 13, 2014) was an American archaeologist known for his career at the Minnesota Historical Society. [1] Most of his career focused on the Indigenous peoples in Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Minnesota. [2]
Alan R. Woolworth was born on August 19, 1924, in Clear Lake, North Dakota, where he was raised. [3] At 19, he enlisted in the army. He served in the 70th Infantry Division and was stationed in France and Germany where he was wounded. He later served in Czechoslovakia. [2] He received a Purple Heart with an oak leaf cluster and a Bronze Star. [4]
Upon returning from Europe, he attended the University of Nebraska and the University of Minnesota to study archaeology. [2] He earned his bachelors degree in History and Anthropology at the University of Nebraska, and his masters at the University of Minnesota. [4]
Beginning in 1952, he served as the staff archeologist at the State Historical Society of North Dakota for five years. [2] He later worked as a curator in the Dearborn Historical Museum in Michigan for three years. [2] He then spent several decades at the Minnesota Historical Society. Throughout his time there, he was museum curator, head of the Museum and Historic Sites department, chief archaeologist, and finally a research fellow. [2] A compiled collection of his papers can be found at the Minnesota Historical Society. [2]
Woolworth, along with his wife, Nancy, formed the Woolworth Research Associates. [2] He also helped start a publishing company called the Prairie Smoke Press. [4]
Alan R. Woolworth passed away on August 13, 2014, shortly before his 90th birthday, in North Memorial Hospital in Minneapolis. [3] Woolworth left behind two daughters and four grandchildren. [4] He was known as a friend to the Sioux Community until his death. [3]