smoki museum

I came without much previous knowledge of the area and learned a lot. One the guides gave us a very detailed and interesting tour and then we had time to explore the rest of the museum which is small but packed with interesting exhibits and artifacts.

We were thrilled to find such a wonderful museum on our trip from Pasadena, CA to Prescott, AZ. The collection of indian artifacts was extensive and well displayed. The associated labels and descriptions were well done and very informative. The story of the SMOKI organization was fascinating and unique in our experience. The docent was very well informed and helpful and we were provided with a detailed description of each section of the display.

When we arrived at the museum today they informed us they were closed for cleaning. We headed to our car after telling them that we would be leaving the area before they reopened and that we were disappointed. One of the volunteers ran out as we were gettinging in the car and invited us to come in anyway, if we didn't mind them cleaning around us. We spent 3 hours there and had every question answered in full! The museum is primarily staffed by volunteers that are very well informed on local native culture and archeology. Their examples of pottery types were extensive. The written explanations were way above average for museums. I highly recommend including Smoki Museum on your visit to Prescott!

Built in 1935 by the Smoki People (white businessmen, not Native Americans,) this museum will provide the visitor with both a history of Native Americans in this area of Arizona, but it will also fascinate you with an unusual piece of Prescott history. In the 1920's, Native Americans were forbidden by our government to performed their own dances. A group of white businessmen, in an effort to help the sagging profits of the town's rodeo, performed a Native American dance at the rodeo's intermission. It became so popular that this group named themselves the Smoki and for many years performed the Native American dances once a year at the rodeo fairgrounds. It was a highly respected organization in Prescott, and they tried to perform the dances with as much authenticity as possible. The practice was stopped in 1990 when the Native Americans were once again given permission to perform the dances themselves. It may be of interest to know that Barry Goldwater was a member of the Smoki. Twice a year the Smoki museum hosts a Native American rug auction that is a fascinating experience. The beauty of the rugs will astonish you and make you want to buy one to take home with you. Do not miss this museum. The docents are knowledgeable and extremely friendly and helpful.

I thought this would be an Indian museum and it turned out to be both an Indian Pueblo and Hopi Indian museum and a museum dedicated to the Smoki Snake Dance. The Smoki were started as early as 1888 by a group of cowboys who started the oldest rodeo in the country. To help pay for the rodeo they asked the Hopi if they could perform the Hopi's Sacred Snake Dance, dressed up as Indians. The Hopi agreed until 1990 when they said no more dancing. The US Federal Government had banned the Hopi from performing this dance in public as they thought it would incite an Indian rebellion. Not until the 1970s Indian movement did the ban get lifted and this in turn prompted the Hopi to ask the white guys, which had included Senator Barry Goldwater in the 1960s from perfoming the dance. VERY INTERESTING HISTORY!

The most interesting museum in Prescott after Sharlot Hall. You see the real navtive American up close. You hear the real story of the Prescott elite folks who tried to make their area a historical draw. Native Americans could be offended but we should not wipe our past mistakes but learn from the them. Great displays that are respectful of native culture and have preserved our native past. Back room shows the attempt of Prescott high society in trying to bring business into the town in an interesting fashion.

This small museum is such a gem. They have so many pieces of Native American Indian art: baskets, weavings, pottery, beadwork and paintings. Everything is displayed an d labeled for easy viewing/reading. This is well worth a visit - and reasonable admission.

If you are a fan of Native American art and culture don't miss this museum. If you are not, like me, don't bother. I am not dissing the museum. Everyone there was great and very helpful. The museum is very nice and full of artifacts. It just did not catch my interest.

The Smoki Museum is unique. It is a small museum in Prescott, founded by people who wanted to keep the traditions and cultures of Natives vibrant. Originally, it focused on the Hopi culture. Now, however, all Natives are represented. The museum presents numerous displays about the culture of Natives. Also, there is a nice, but small, gift store, which often has original art. The bathroom facilities are convenient and clean. There is an open patio area, where often Native presentations of food, dance, and arts are held.

A small museum displaying American Indian Art and Culture. The museum showcases woven baskets, pottery, arrowheads and art. The building that the museum is housed in is a pueblo structure built in the 1930's. Don't be confused the Smoki People are not an Indian tribe, it is a fraternal type organization that began in 1921. It's an organization that now preserves Indian Art and Culture. Bad feelings still linger for the Hopi people toward the Smoki. Do your own research and make your own conclusion.

we stopped by this museum after having it recommended by a member of the museum who was working in Ogg's Hogan, a wonderful trading post in Prescott. This museum was founded in 1935 so it has a lot of history on its side. While it is quite small, it possesses a wealth of items especially from the Hopi Indians. It is well laid out and nobody else was there when we were. It offers interesting lectures if one is from the area and can easily commit to coming at the proper time. While we've been to Prescott several times this was out first, but not our last, visit to the Smoki Museum. Do give it a try.

this is a small museum but very well kept with a very interesting story. you have to look for it as it's on a side street but well worth the looking. ask to speak to Cyndi the curator, she has so much knowledge!

The story of the Smoki Musuem is fascinating and the exhibits are really beautiful. Never knew any of this was around but it's a wonderful story that is truly amazing.

The building is unassuming. The signage does not reflect the quality if the artifacts. The story if the organization is very interesting and one, I believe , is not well known outside of that part of Arizona. Worth a visit

Wonderful lay out of the different artifacts along with a description of each one. Allow two hours to see everything as there's a lot to see.