Verde Valley Archaeology Center: Nonprofit Museum Tour
4.8
12 Ratings
Camp Verde
The Verde Valley Archaeology Center stands as the sole nonprofit museum encapsulating the family existence of the Sinagua tribe, the chronicles of the Yavapai-Apache Nation, and specific revolving displays.
Duration:
1 hour, 30 minutes
Cancellation:
1 day
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Highlights
- Verde Valley Archaeology Center - The museum has nine galleries that cover family life of the 11th to 14th Centuries, mineral/ore collecting of ancient peoples, the history of the Yavapai-Apache Nation, prehistoric ceramic production, and the migrations of the Hisatsinom (ancestral Hopi). There are currently two special exhibits.
Space Rocks! is an exhibit of meteorites on loan from Arizona State University’s Center for Meteor Studies. These meteorites were all part of the Canyon Diablo meteorite that created Meteor Crater, however, they were found in or near Sinagua ruins in the Verde Valley area.
A second limited exhibit is a retrospective of the art of Paul Dyck. The exhibit features works on loan from the Scottsdale Museum of the West, the Tucson Museum of Art, and private collections. Paul Dyck (1917-2006) was a local painter who grew up among many Plains Indian communities which became the subject of much of his work..
What's Included
- All fees and taxes included
Location
Verde Valley Archaeology Center
460 W Finnie Flat Rd, Verde Village Shopping Center
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.8
(12 Ratings)
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Woodyl720
Mar 12, 2024
A MUST SEE for any avid Archaeology fan, Native American, scholar, or curious tourist. - Bucket List for anyone interested in any Southwest Archaeology! The cultural complexity these artifacts reveal is amazing. This unassuming little museum houses a stunning collection of artifacts that were protected from the elements and from looters for 700+ years! Stunning bits of textiles! Intact arrows with visible painted markings and the fletch feathers still intact! Actual bows! Tens of thousands of seeds, corn cobs that look like modern Indian corn. People from the Smithsonian should come here to see this little museum. Do a YouTube search for Dr. Todd Bostwick New Discoveries Cliff Dwellings prior to going so you can really appreciate what you see.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
405franki
Mar 6, 2024
A hidden Gem in the Verde Valley / Sedona area on native american history! - Fantastic museum on native american history!!!
Very informative, not to mention our docent was very knowledgeable and loves to survey archeogical sites himself
This place is a must visit in the verde Valley and sedona area, a real hidden gem!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Sandyf949
Mar 6, 2024
Local interest - Excellent exhibit, knowledgeable staff. Lots of items from a private collection, well organized and informative. Close to other local attractions.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Mickey448
Feb 23, 2024
A very nice museum - We were lucky enough to have a docent on the tour of this museum. Although it's not big, it's full of valuable information. A couple of recorded videos provide alot of good information. Very nice venue, worth a stop
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Pdxflier
Apr 14, 2023
Worth a stop! - Wonderful small museum with helpful staff that walked us through the exhibits. Beautifully Native American artifacts that are well displayed.
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Sedonacharlie
Nov 3, 2022
A Treasure ... not so hidden anymore - VVAC and Museum, now in a modern, wonderful new home, is exquisite. This small museum in a small town holds big, beautifully-displayed collections. That alone would be worth the modest price of admission, but there's more ... visitors are allowed to stroll into research laboratories, watch preservationists at work, and confer with curators. Outstanding!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Gby247
Nov 1, 2022
Must go, Interesting and Fun - Very Interesting, the tour guide was very knowledgeable and interesting, so many artifacts showing culture plus a section regarding the Meteor Crater.
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Gl_h
Sep 14, 2022
Great center full of great pieces - Great little center. Strange location in a strip mall. Very interesting pieces and history. Very welcoming staff and very knowledgeable. We never felt rush and questions were welcomed. Nice tiny gift shop. They are expanding and have much more pieces to set up for presentation. Research is done right at the center. Very nicely displayed with detailed information on each piece.
Review provided by Viator
905billb
Jul 19, 2023
Modest but excellent collection on display - The staff were very knowledgeable, and we were able to get a guided tour of the collection. The extent of the collection on display is modest, but the quality of artifacts and presentation is excellent. We also enjoyed the pre-recorded video by a member of the Hopi Nation. It covered some of their origin story, and the multiple worlds they believe humans have moved through.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Paula
May 24, 2023
Museum worth the stop - This museum is worth seeing. A docent takes you around to each exhibit and she was very knowledgeable. It's mostly about the Hopi culture, and helps you to understand their history. The main reason I went was to see the meteor room where there are pieces from the meteor that created Meteor Crater, but was pleasantly surprised to find how much information there was all over the museum. We spent about an hour there.
There are also Native American gardens that you can walk and learn about a pit site (where people lived underground). The trail starts at a parking lot and heads into some heavy foliage. It was starting to rain so we didn't walk it.
When you ask who was with me, it was "family" but not teens. My 39 year old son came with and enjoyed the museum also.
Review provided by Tripadvisor