She focused much of her research on the first wave of Arab American immigration to the United States at the turn of the 20th century.
[1] They arrived in Spring Valley, Illinois, on January 1, 1922, and lived there until moving to Fort Wayne, Indiana, in 1929.
[1] The personal and household objects included kibbe pounder, Middle Eastern musical instruments, and clothing.
[1] The Faris and Yamna Naff Collection, which was named in honor of her parents, is available for research through the National Museum of American History.
[1] Alixa Naff died from a short illness at her home in Mitchellville, Maryland, on June 1, 2013, at the age of 93.