Frontier Women and Their Art: A Chronological Encyclopedia by Mary Ellen Snodgrass (review)

From the first entry to the last, Frontier Women and Their Art: A Chronological Encyclopedia is a refreshing and captivating summary of women’s important contributions in 122 categories during transMississippian expansion. It takes the reader on a journey that is both ambitious in its scope and impressive in its presentation. Although it is one continuous study, the encyclopedia portion of the study is presented in months or seasons within a year, beginning with 1765 and ending in 1899. Aside from the phenomenal entries and photographs featuring women’s astonishing accomplishments in all the arts, ranging from weaving, gardening, and painting, to knife throwing, sharpshooting, and lion taming, Snodgrass added enormously to the utility of this book with extra features. Her acknowledgment section alone is a treasure trove of curators, archivists, advisors, and directors of repositories in the West. A glossary of art terms and a detailed index of both names and topics add to the reference material. Four appendixes provide extensive lists of the women featured in the encyclopedia section, arranged by genres, the states where they were situated, their ethnicities, and chronological events of note throughout the world during the years of study. These add a depth beyond the basic entries that provokes new methods of teaching, learning, researching, and writing. The format allows Snodgrass to take her readers on a journey to new and varied frontiers. The chronological structure highlights both the multiple and varied contributions women made, from basic survival to monumental achievements, not to mention making readers question how many more must have been excluded. Snodgrass connects women to the western migration experience in an intimate and vital way, highlighting missing or scattered knowledge in the history of the West, women’s history, and the American story. This fabulous resource will be a valuable tool for professional and casual historians alike.