activities · 20
what they do
direct service · 13
- Curates and manages cultural exhibits Recurring Community Art WalksUnveils curated exhibits such as “Weaving Cultural Threads: Highlights from Our Permanent Collection” and hosts presentations by cultural practitioners, including Hopi Artist Filmer Kewanyama on ancestral connections to the Grand Canyon.
- Deliver school and youth education programs Living History & Historic Skills EducationProvides on-site and virtual educational programs for students, including a partnership with Camp Verde Elementary School for third-grade interactive museum experiences and a Virtual Educational Field Trip program reaching students globally.
- Educational Programs and OutreachOperates school programs, including interactive museum experiences for local elementary students and a Virtual Educational Field Trip program to share Native American archaeology, culture, and history with a global audience. The organization also hosts presentations by artists on cultural connections and collaborations.
- Exhibit Development Recurring Community Art WalksUnveils exhibits showcasing cultural connections and rarely displayed items from its permanent collection.
- Highlights U.S. Forest Service archaeological sitesHighlights three archaeological Heritage Sites in the Sedona/Verde Valley area managed by the U.S. Forest Service, promoting public awareness and access.
- Maintain Native American Heritage GardenManages a Native American Heritage Garden featuring culturally significant plants used by prehistoric and contemporary Native American communities in the Verde Valley, serving as a resource for research, learning, and stewardship.
- Maintains Native American Heritage GardenMaintains a Native American Heritage Garden featuring plants significant to prehistoric and Native American communities, serving as a community resource for research, learning, and stewardship in the Verde Valley.
- Manage archaeological collections and data Archaeological Field Research & AnalysisEngages in cataloging and analysis of prehistoric artifacts and maintains a "PastPerfect" database for accession data, supporting research and preservation of regional archaeological heritage.
- Operate a Museum and Heritage Garden Historic Site Museum OperationOperates a museum open to the public Tuesday through Saturday, featuring exhibits of ancient artifacts and offering guided tours. The museum provides free admission to members, individuals under 18, students, Native Americans, and Blue Star Museum Program participants, with discounted rates for seniors. Additionally, the organization maintains a Native American Heritage Garden showcasing plants significant to the region's prehistoric and Native American communities, serving as a resource for research, learning, and stewardship.
- Operate public museum with educational programming and exhibits Historic Site Museum OperationOperates a public museum open Tuesday through Saturday with free or discounted admission for members, youth, students, Native Americans, and Blue Star participants. Offers guided tours, rotating exhibits such as “Weaving Cultural Threads,” and educational events including presentations by Native artists.
- Operates public museum with archaeological exhibits Historic Site Museum OperationOperates a museum open Tuesday through Saturday, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, featuring exhibits of ancient artifacts and offering free admission to members, youth, students, Native Americans, and Blue Star participants, with senior discounts available.
- Promote Heritage SitesHighlights three archaeological Heritage Sites managed by the U.S. Forest Service in the Sedona/Verde Valley area.
- Provides educational programs and tours Living History & Historic Skills EducationOffers guided museum tours, school programs including interactive experiences for third-grade classes at Camp Verde Elementary School, and launched a Virtual Educational Field Trip program to teach students globally about Native American archaeology, culture, and history.
research · 7
- Archaeological Research and Documentation Archaeological Field Research & AnalysisCatalogs and analyzes prehistoric artifacts, maintaining a database for ascension data. The organization also conducts research on the paleogenomics of agave in collaboration with other institutions and analyzes historical records, including 16th-century expedition accounts and early U.S. government survey records, to document early European presence and prehistoric dwellings in the Verde Valley.
- Collaborate on paleogenomic research of agave Scientific Research & Regeneration InitiativesParticipates in a Smithsonian-led research project on the paleogenomics of agave, in collaboration with the Desert Botanical Garden and the National Autonomous University of Mexico.
- Conducts archaeological and historical research Archaeological Field Research & AnalysisConducts research including cataloging and analyzing prehistoric artifacts, maintaining a "PastPerfect" database for accession data, and analyzing historical records to document early European presence in the Verde Valley, including the Espejo expedition and early U.S. government surveys.
- Develop Educational Resources Historic Route & Cultural Heritage InterpretationProduces educational videos on the cultures of the Verde Valley and creates downloadable road maps highlighting cultural and recreational sites in the region.
- Participates in collaborative scientific research Scientific Research & Regeneration InitiativesParticipates in a Smithsonian-led research project on the paleogenomics of agave, in collaboration with the Desert Botanical Garden and the National Autonomous University of Mexico.
- Produce educational resources on Verde Valley cultures Historic Route & Cultural Heritage InterpretationCreates and distributes educational materials including a downloadable road map of cultural and recreational sites in the Verde Valley and a 5-minute video on local cultures.
- Produces educational resources and tools Historic Route & Cultural Heritage InterpretationProduces a 5-minute educational video on Verde Valley cultures and creates downloadable resources such as a road map highlighting cultural and recreational sites in the region.
strategies · 16
how they think
Theories of action extracted from this org's own source material. Click any to see the full field of orgs running the same approach.
- Culturally accessible programming for Native American communities cultural_accessProvides free admission to Native Americans to honor their cultural connection to the region’s archaeological heritage, promoting inclusivity and recognition of ancestral ties.
- Culturally accessible programming for Native communities cultural_accessOffers free admission to Native Americans as a recognition of their ancestral and cultural connection to the region’s archaeological heritage, promoting equitable access and inclusion.
- Experiential Education for Cultural and Historical Understanding experiential_educationThe organization utilizes hands-on, experiential learning methods, such as gardening and plant cultivation, to teach about traditional Native American agricultural practices, ethnobotanical knowledge, and broader cultural heritage. This approach aims to provide inclusive education for all ages and learning styles.
- Experiential education in traditional Native American practices experiential_educationEngages learners through hands-on gardening and plant cultivation to teach traditional Native American agricultural methods and ethnobotanical knowledge, fostering deeper understanding through direct experience.
- Experiential education in traditional Native American practices experiential_educationUses hands-on gardening and plant cultivation to teach traditional Native American agricultural practices and ethnobotanical knowledge, fostering deeper understanding through direct engagement.
- Expert-Led Governance and Public Engagement through Museum Exhibits board_governance_with_subject_matter_expertsThe organization is governed by a Board of Directors composed of individuals with professional and avocational expertise in archaeology, ensuring informed decision-making. This expertise is leveraged to create public museum exhibits that provide access to ancient artifacts and promote archaeological education.
- Expert-led governance in archaeology board_governance_with_subject_matter_expertsEnsures organizational credibility and scholarly rigor by governing through a Board of Directors composed of individuals with professional and avocational expertise in archaeology.
- Historical and archaeological site correlation methodology historical_document_analysis, site_correlation_analysisCombines analysis of historical expedition journals with archaeological site data to verify early European exploration routes and identify locations described in historical records.
- Inclusive public education and stewardship of Native American material culture inclusive education, public_museum_exhibits, public education and stewardshipProvides accessible, age- and ability-inclusive educational experiences through museum exhibits and public programming to promote stewardship of Native American archaeological heritage for diverse audiences.
- Inclusive, multi-generational education model inclusive educationDesigns educational programming to be accessible and effective for all ages and diverse learning styles, ensuring broad community engagement and lifelong learning opportunities.
- Interdisciplinary Historical and Archaeological Site Analysis historical_document_analysisThe organization employs a methodology that combines historical document analysis, specifically expedition journals, with archaeological site correlation. This approach allows for the reconstruction of early exploration routes and the identification of archaeological sites mentioned in historical records, providing a deeper understanding of the region's past.
- Promoting Cultural Access and Stewardship of Native American Heritage cultural_accessThe organization ensures cultural access for Native Americans by offering free admission, acknowledging their inherent connection to the region's archaeological heritage. This is part of a broader commitment to public education and stewardship of Native American material culture.
- Public education and stewardship of Native American material culture public education and stewardshipEngages the public in the preservation and understanding of Native American material culture, promoting responsible stewardship through educational outreach.
- Regionally focused archaeological research and education regionally-focused archaeologyConcentrates on the archaeological and cultural resources of the Sedona/Verde Valley region in north central Arizona, ensuring that research, interpretation, and educational programming are deeply rooted in the local context and history.
- Regionally-Focused Archaeological Research and Preservation regionally-focused archaeologyThe organization concentrates its efforts on the archaeological and cultural resources specific to the Sedona/Verde Valley region of Arizona. This regional focus allows for in-depth study, preservation, and public education regarding the unique historical and cultural heritage of the area.
- Regionally-focused archaeological research and preservation regionally-focused archaeologyConcentrates on the archaeological and cultural resources specific to the Sedona/Verde Valley region in north central Arizona, ensuring deep contextual understanding and localized stewardship.
named programs · 6
what they call their work
Archaeological Survey Crew
A volunteer crew that performs field research and data collection in partnership with Prescott National Forest to further archaeological knowledge in the region.
Arizona Archaeology and Heritage Awareness Month
A month-long celebration with various programs and events highlighting the local history, archaeology, and cultures of the Verde Valley region.
Indigenous Arts
A comprehensive inter-tribal exhibit highlighting the talents of Native American artists from the American Southwest and beyond, both past and present.
Native American Heritage Garden
A community resource dedicated to research, learning, and stewardship, serving as a living laboratory for studies like corn analysis and agave supply.
Virtual Educational Field Trip Program
A program designed to share the archaeology, culture, and history of Native Americans and the Southwest with students globally.
Weaving Cultural Threads: Highlights from Our Permanent Collection
An exhibit exploring connections linking cultures across time and space, showcasing rarely displayed items from the museum's permanent collection.
relationships · 10
who they work with
- Arizona Site Steward Program Partner — Volunteers can join the program to help protect Native American Heritage.
- Camp Verde Elementary School Partner — Partnered to provide an interactive museum experience for third-grade classes.
- Desert Botanical Garden Partner — Collaborating on a Smithsonian research project on the paleogenomics of agave.
- Facebook Partner — Social media platform used for outreach and engagement.
- Instagram Partner — Social media platform used for outreach and engagement.
- Lieutenant A.W. Whipple Government — Source of early documentation on Verde Valley ruins through U.S. government survey reports.
- NARM Network — Member organization participating in the North American Reciprocal Museums program, offering mutual admission benefits.
- National Autonomous University of Mexico Partner — Collaborating on a Smithsonian research project on the paleogenomics of agave.
- U.S. Forest Service Partner — Manages three archaeological Heritage Sites in the Sedona/Verde Valley area that the center highlights.
- YouTube Partner — Platform used for sharing educational content and museum outreach.