A renowned archaeologist, Holmes corresponded with Montezuma as the Chief of the Bureau American Ethnology at the Smithsonian Institute in Washington D.C. The letters exchanged between Montezuma and Holmes typically surrounded about materials that were to be considered and featured in the Smithsonian Institute. Montezuma also had a presence at the Smithsonian Institute as he was asked by Holmes to speak at events there. Holmes’ relationship with Montezuma more than likely began when he worked as the curator at the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago from 1894-1897.
