Amerind Foundation

The Amerind Foundation is in a Spanish Colonial building. You must not be fooled by the building’s exterior. William Fulton, an amateur archaeologist in 1937, opened the Amerind Foundation. It was Fulton’s goal to promote ancient Indian cultures and maintain their cultures.

The name Amerind comes from the words American and Indian. Since the opening of the foundation, it has become a research facility and museum. It is filled with ancient artifacts. The museum has a collection of unique Indian pieces on display for visitors to see. You will discover beadwork, weapons, masks and costumes from a variety of Native Indians.

The museum also has some pieces of artwork from famous western artists, such as Frederic Remington and William Leigh. There is an art gallery displaying sculptures and paintings. The Amerind Foundation also has a museum store. Here you will find a variety of gifts and mementos that will remind you of the visit. The Amerind Foundation is open Wednesday through Sunday from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. The foundation is closed on major holidays.

The admission is $3.00 for adults, $2.00 for seniors and children ages 12-18.
You can get to the Amerind Foundation by taking Interstate 10 west out of Willcox, to exit 318. Then head southeast approximately one mile, then turn left at the sign. It is near the town of Dragoon. If you are interested in making a visit, call 520-586-3666. It is a stop you will enjoy.

Fort Yuma Quechan

Fort Yuma Quechan was established in 1849 to protect the early settlers from the Indians. In 1884, the fort was deeded to the Quechan tribe. The Quechan tribe shared the Yuman language along with seven other Colorado River tribes.

The museum is housed in a small pink adobe. Fort Yuma Quechan Museum displays artifacts and photos of the tribe. It an interesting stop to learn more about the culture of the area. There is a gift shop where visitors can purchase hand made crafts. The Museum is open weekly from 8:00 to 5:00 and Saturdays 10:00 to 4:00. The charge for admission is $1.00 for adults and children under 12 are free. For more information and directions, call 619-572-0661.

Coronado National Memorial

Coronado National Memorial was created in honor of Francisco Vasquez de Coronado’s exploration of theSouthwest. The memorial is a great spot for history buffs, hikers and nature lovers. It covers 4,750 acresof natural habitat.

Coronado set out in 1540 in search of the Seven Cities of Cibola (Gold). His expedition made him the firstEuropean to cross the United States and Mexican border. The expedition included 1,400 soldiers and 1,500
animals. In 1542 after many months of travel, Coronado gave up his search of gold. The journey had takenthe group up to Kansas, where they retraced their trip back to Mexico.Even though gold was never found, Coronado did see many things. The Grand Canyon, Indian tribes (Hopiand Zuni) and the Rio Grande River were just some of his discoveries. This memorial park was establishedin honor of his expedition.

The Coronado National Memorial is located at the southern part of the Huachuca Mountains, within sightof the San Pedro River Valley. Oak woodlands surround the memorial park. Visitors will find a variety of
plant life such as yucca and beargrass. Unique animals also live in the park. Bobcats and eagles roam thearea.The visitor center should be your first stop when entering Coronado National Memorial. The center has a
museum. It has displays of authentic 16th century armor, weaponry and Spanish replicas of cultural items.

Visitors can also try on period costumes. At the visitor center, you will find a nine-minute video on thestory of Coronado and his expedition. The center also has maps and books for sale. Here you will learnabout the variety of activities you can do during your visit. The visitor center and museum offers so much, youwill likely need to plan on a couple hour stay.
If you are interested in hiking, you can stop by the visitor center for a run down on the various hikes in thearea. Hiking trails range from an easy 0.4-mile hike on the Coronado Peak Trail. This hike is very special
because it has benches near the path, along with markers telling about Coronado’s journey. Or you maywant to take the 5.3 strenuous hike to Miller Peak.

Many visitors take the driving tour. By taking Montezuma Pass, travelers will experience a scenic driveand overlook. Montezuma Pass is at an elevation of 6,575 feet. This trip can be done by car, by way of anarrow mountain road. The trip offers spectacular views of Mexico and the San Pedro and San RafaelValleys. Those visitors who like caving will enjoy the natural limestone cave in the park.

The Coronado Cave isdown a steep trail, approximately of a mile from the visitor center. Once you are at the cave, you willdiscover two large chambers and several tunnels that lead out from the chambers. The cave is in its naturalstate. You will not find guardrails or lighting. If you want to see the cave, you will need to get a freepermit from the visitor center and you must bring a flashlight. Visitors that would like a tour of the cavewill need to call and make arrangements in advance. You should plan on two hours to take in the cave andthe hike down and up. The most popular time of the year to visit the memorial is January through April. The off-season is fromSeptember to December. You will find in the summer months thunderstorms are a frequent occurrence,especially in July and August. The wintertime can be cold. The memorial has had snowfall in the winter
season.

The visitor center at the Coronado National Memorial is open daily 8:00 to 5:00 pm. The memorial isclosed on Thanksgiving and Christmas. Admission is free. Pets are not allowed on the hiking trails and are
not to be left unattended in parked vehicles. If you would like more information on the memorial, you cancall 520-366-5515. You can get to the Coronado National Memorial by taking Highway 92 south out of Sierra Vista or FortHuachuca for approximately 20 miles. Then take Coronado Memorial Road to the park. You will seesigns for the memorial. The memorial is 5 miles off of Highway 92.When starting out from the town of Bisbee, head east on State Highway 80 to the small town of Lowell.
Then take State Highway 92 southwest, when you pass Miracle Valley be on the look out for signs forCoronado National Memorial.

Coming from the town of Tombstone, take State Highway 80 south out of town. Follow State Highway 80through the town of Bisbee to the small town of Lowell. Here you will find State Highway 92. Take State
Highway 92 southwest, as you pass Miracle Valley look for signs for the turn off for Coronado NationalMemorial. The simplest way to get to the Coronado National Memorial from Benson is to take Interstate 10 east for a
very short time, until you come to the State Highway 90 exit. Take State Highway 90 south through SierraVista. After going through town on State Highway 92 continue to travel south past Nicksville. You willfind signs directing you to the Memorial.

Holy Trinity Monastery Historical Museum

The Holy Trinity Monastery Historical Museum is located on a 92-acre property held by the monks, sistersand laity of the Catholic Benedictine order. The museum has a variety of pieces that represent NativeAmerican religion and southwest nature. One of the most popular displays is the nativity sets.

Themuseum has numerous nativity scenes for visitors to admire. The museum also has a display of Civil Warartifacts and an antique bible collection. The museum has a mile long bird sanctuary trail along the San Pedro River, on which visitors may take astroll. Visitors do need to know that this is a monastery and that no beachwear or shorts are allowed.
The museum has a gift shop and art gallery for visitors to walk browse through. The Holy Trinity Monastery Historical Museum is open everyday except Wednesday afternoons. Thehours are from 9:00 to 11:30 and 2:00 to 4:00 pm.

There is no admission charge, although donations areappreciated.The museum is in the town of Saint David, just seven miles south of Benson on State Highway 80. Youneed to look for signs once you are in town. If you would like to call in advance that would be advisable,520-720-4016.
The Holy Trinity Monastery Historical Museum is a peaceful spot to rest and take in nature.

San Pedro Valley Arts and Historical Society Museum

The San Pedro Valley Arts and Historical Society Museum houses displays that show Benson’s earlyhistory, as a railroad town. Benson was once the main stop for the Southern Pacific Railroad. Since thetown’s beginning there have been changes, which the museum documents. There are photos and artifactsrepresenting life in the early days of mining, ranching and the railroad. The San Pedro Valley Arts and Crafts League and the San Pedro Valley Historical Society joined togetherto make the San Pedro Valley Arts and Historical Society Museum. These two organizations have usedtheir influence to develop an old deserted building in town into a museum. The building was once agrocery store, which became the basis of the one of the main displays in the museum. Visitors will see a grocery store set back in time stocked with items in tins and barrels. There are antiquesto represent the town from long ago.

The museum is open Tuesday through Friday from 10:00 to 4:00 pm and Saturday from 10:00 to 2:00 pm.The San Pedro Valley Arts and Historical Society Museum is located at 180 South San Pedro at theintersection of 5th Street and San Pedro. If you would like to get more precise directions, call 502-586-3070. The museum is a quaint building that holds several town events. If you have the opportunity, call and stopby when a quilt show or when Mexican Heritage Days are going on.

Adobe Mountain Museum and Desert Railroad Park

Adobe Mountain Museum and Desert Railroad Park

23280 North 43rd

Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85310

It is a great place to go for those who love model trains. The Adobe Mountain Museum and Desert Railroad Park is the perfect home for train enthusiasts.

the Sahuaro Central Railroad Heritage Preservation Society has joined forces with the Adobe Mountain Railroad Museum and the Desert Railroad Park. This combination effort is working together to honor and preserve railroad history, memorabilia, train models, and mementos.the Adobe Mountain Railroad Museum and the Desert Railroad Park is located in northwest Phoenix, near 43rd Avenue and Pinnacle Peak Road. It is situated on 160 acres and h is part of the Maricopa County and Arizona Parks and Recreation Department. The goal of the park and museum is to develop and display model railroads, prototype railroad equipment, and artifacts throughout the history of railroad.

Visitors to the Phoenix Adobe Mountain Museum and Desert Railroad Park will see interesting exhibits. There is on display a small, narrow gauge 1884 locomotive, several model railroad layouts, and historical displays.

this museum and park is growing in size, with the help of volunteers. Contact the Adobe Mountain Railroad Museum and the Desert Railroad Park for more information on hours of operation, admission charges, and opportunities to improve the facilitythe Adobe Mountain Railroad Museum and the Desert Railroad Park is an ideal place to take the family. Learning about Arizona’s railway past and preserving its memorabilia are activities worth sharing.

Desert Caballeros Western Museum

the Desert Caballeros Western Museum must be your first stop when you arrive in Wickenburg. This museum is dedicated to the preservation and interpretation of the history and art of Arizona and the West. The museum gives you an opportunity to look at all the cultures that played a part in creating the Western culture. Every visitor, young and old alike will find something that will peak their interest. the history of Wickenburg is retold through miniature dioramas. These amazing dioramas recreate the various stages the town went through. You will be surprise at the attention to detail shown in the dioramas. This section of the museum is popular with the youngsters. the art collection in the museum features work from the late 19thcentury and the 20thcentury. Visitors will see art pieces by Russell, Remington, Bierstadt and other members of the Cowboy Artists of America Association. The museum has one of the state’s best collections of western bronzes. You will discover artifacts of the Anasazi, Hopi and the Navajo Indians. Visitors will love looking at the Navajo weavings, Hopi kachinas and Apache baskets. These Native Americans made Arizona their home and their art and artifacts are creatively displayed.

the black light exhibit is lots of fun for kids. The exhibit shows of gems and minerals in an eerie glow, through the use of a black light. The Mineral and Gem Gallery has more than 200 specimens from around the world. Visitors will also see examples of gold, silver and turquoise, which were important to Arizona ’s mining history. the lower level of the museum has been sectioned off representing different rooms from the past. These period rooms allow visitors an opportunity to walk through the museum’s Hall of History. There is a general store, saloon, post office and livery stable to name just some of the intriguing turn of the century settings recreated in the museum. Vintage clothing and decorative furnishings also reflect the western frontier. the museum is open Monday through Saturday 10:00 to 5:00 and Sundays 12:00 to 4:00. The cost of admission is $4.00, individuals over 55 are $3.50, children 6 to 16 are $1.00 and children under 6 years of age are free. Visitors should plan on staying at the museum for at least one hour to take in all the exhibits. the museum has a gift shop that has a variety of Western jewelry, crafts and books. There is a Museum Park located on the corner of Tegner and Wickenburg Way. The park has garden beds filled with native plants. There is a handsome bronze sculpture called “Thanks for the Rain”standing in the park. the Desert Caballeros Western Museum is located at 21 North Frontier Street. . If you are coming from Phoenix or Tucson take Interstate 17 north out of town. Once you have come to State Highway 74, just outside of Phoenix take it west. When State Highway 74 runs into State Highway 93, take it north into Wickenburg. You will proceed through town to the corner of Tegner and Wickenburg Way where you will find the sign for the museum. If you are coming from Flagstaff and would like to take a scenic route to Wickenburg, you will take Highway 89A south out of town. You will pass through Sedona, Cottonwood and into Prescott. Once in Prescott take Highway 89 southwest out of town passing through Peeples Valley. When Highway 89 meets State Highway 93 take it south to Wickenburg. You will proceed through town to the corner of Tegner and Wickenburg Way, where you will find the sign for the museum. If you would like more information, you may call 520-684-2272. I think you will agree with me that after making a visit to the Desert Caballeros Western Museum, you will say it is one of the best museums in the Southwest.

Arizona Wing Hanger Museum

The Arizona Wing Hanger Museum is part of the Confederate Air Force. The Confederated Air Force is a worldwide, all volunteer non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation of warplanes from World War II. At the museum you will see warplanes that have been fully restored and are in flying condition. One of the most famous warplanes at the museum is a B-17 called “Sentimental Journey”. This plane first came off the assembly line in 1944. The plane first served in the Pacific. Then after the war, it flew as an air-sea rescue craft at Elgin Field in Florida. In 1959, the plane was sent to Davis-Morthan Air Force Base in Tucson for military storage. Later it was sold for service as a borate bomber, flying against forest fires. Then in 1978, the warplane was donated to the Arizona Wing Hanger Museum. When the museum received “Sentimental Journey”, the warplane was completely disassembled and restored to its World War II configuration.

Out of the 12,731 B-17’s built during World War II, 13 are flyable and only 8 are flying in the United States.

there are many more warplanes to view at the museum. The Arizona Wing Hanger Museum has a German Heinkel HE-111 bomber, B-25 Mitchell bomber, SNJ, C-45 and a Grumman Guardian. All of these planes are amazing to see up close. It is hard to image what these planes and their pilots went through. Visitors are allowed to view the restoration process of a warplane. The museum is always working on a plane. You will also have an opportunity to see a display area. Here you will see memorabilia from the war years. Many of the displays show equipment used by the flight crew. Some displays hold flight suits worn by the pilots. The flight suits vary depending on the area the pilot was flying in. There is a heavy sheep skin flight suit worn when temperatures dropped 60 degrees below zero and a navy aviator suit worn in the South Pacific.

the Arizona Wing Hanger Museum is open 7 days a week from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. The museum is run by volunteers who have a love for these planes, it would be best to call before you drive out to the museum. The number is 942-1940 or 981-1945. the museum is located at the corner of Greenfield and McKellips Roads in Mesa. If you are traveling on the Superstition Freeway (State Route 60), take the Greenfield exit and travel 6 miles north to McKellips Road. If you are coming from Scottsdale or Tempe, head east on McKellips until you reach the intersection of McKellips and Greenfield. then turn left onto Greenfield and into the museum. For a reference point, the entrance to Falcon Field Airport is on the south side on McKellips and the museum is on the west side on Greenfield. I know you will enjoy taking a trip back in time when you view such wonderful warplanes at the Arizona Wing Hanger Museum.

Heard Museum

The Heard Museum is the perfect spot to take in the Southwest culture. The Heard Museum is a non-profit, private museum. Dwight B. and Maie Bartlett Heard founded it in 1929. The Museum held their private collection of artifacts and art. This collection has grown as years have passed.

The Heard Museum does hold true to its mission and philosophy of promoting an appreciation and respect for the Native American people and cultural heritage. The emphasis of the Heard Museum is on the Southwest culture. When people talk about visiting the Heard Museum, most of the time they are talking about the Heard Museum located in downtown Phoenix. However, the Heard has expanded the Museum to the Scottsdale area. The Heard Museum North (as it is referred) gives visitors a tiny glimpse of the things that are at the Heard Museum.

I have always enjoyed my visits to the Heard Museum. The Museum is always changing. As a matter of fact, the Heard has recently undergone an expansion. It is quite beautiful. This expansion will nearly double the size of the public space in the Education area. The Museum has many exhibits to view and numerous opportunities to learn about the culture. The exhibits are creativity done and give the visitor a good interpretation of the Native American life.

As a native Arizonan, it is important to regularly check in on the upcoming events and exhibits. The Heard Museum is always growing and showing its visitors more. One of my most favorite events is held in the spring. It is the Native American Fair. Every since I was in grade school, I have attended the Fair. It has grown in size. This past year it took me most of the day to see all the exhibits and dances. Of course, I couldn’t leave without a taste of the Indian Fry Bread. It is a real treat. The Heard Museum is open Monday through Saturday 9:30 am to 5 pm and Sunday’s noon to 5 pm. Admission: Adults $7.00, Seniors (65+) $6.00, Children (4 – 12) $3.00.

The Heard Museum is located in downtown Phoenix on Central Avenue. An easy way to get to the Museum is from Interstate 10. Exit onto 7th Avenue and head North to the first major intersection, which is McDowell Road. Turn right and head East to 3rd Street. Then turn left and head West about 4 blocks to Monte Vista. There will be a green and white sign for the Museum. Turn left and head West, the Heard Museum is on the right. If you only have a short time to take in the culture, please stop by the Heard Museum North for a sampling of the Heard Museum. The Heard Museum North is open Monday through Saturday 10:00 am to 5:30 pm and Sunday’s noon to 5 pm.

Admission: Adults $2.00 and Children (4 – 12) $1.00. The Heard Museum North is located in North Scottsdale at the el Pedregal Festival Marketplace on Scottsdale Road and Carefree Highway. The best way to get to the Museum is to head North on Scottsdale Road until you cross Carefree Highway. Its address is 34505 North Scottsdale Road.

I would like to take a moment to encourage you to do two things during your visit to either of the Heard Museums. One is to look into becoming a member of the Museum. There are many benefits to becoming a member. The second is to make sure you go into the Heard Museum Gift Shop. The Gift Shop has so many items; it alone will take you some time to browse through. It is a stop you must make during your visit. I guarantee you will leave there with some terrific item to remember your visit.

Museo Chicano

Museo Chicano

147 East Adams, Phoenix, AZ 85004

It’s one of the first in the Valley of the Sun and it is open for visitors!

the Museo Chicano is located in downtown Phoenix, near the center of sporting venues, conventions, and art facilities. It is the ideal location for the first and only museum in Arizona, founded and operated by Latinos. the museum is community based and non profit. It has become a popular destination with many locals. However, its location draws many more, who are interested in learning more about the culture. Museo Chicano’s goal is to promote both knowledge and appreciation of the cultures of Latinos. Visitors to Museo Chicano will see local and international exhibits depicting the art, history, and culture of Latinos. There are also educational programs available. Contact the Museo Chicano of Phoenix to find out more about price of admission and hours of operation.

Museo Chicano’s gift store is a valuable resource for anyone interested in learning about or owning pieces of the Latino culture. The museum store offers both artistic and educational products. Visitors can choose from imported fine art as well as folk art. Posters, jewelry, books, and videos are available for purchase at the Museo Chicano gift store.

Learn more about the Latino culture today! Visit the Museo Chicano and discover the rich history and art that the Latino culture shares with us each day.

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