PHOENIX – Enjoy the January weather with a variety of outdoor and indoor programming at Pueblo Grande Museum for all ages and interests. Archaeology classes, pottery crafts for kids, and Pima basket demonstrations are just a few of the wonderful things to explore at the ancient heart of Phoenix. Register for paid programs at pueblogrande.com or through the City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department at phoenix.gov/parks/classes-and-programs.
Archaeology for Kids
Saturday, January 6, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Children ages 7 to 12 can become a Junior Archaeologist and discover the science of archaeology by doing a simulated excavation of a Hohokam pit house. Learn how to identify artifacts in the field, and discover how archaeologists use these artifacts to learn more about past cultures. Advanced registration is required by January 4; cost is $15; Discounts for Museum Members.
Pots for Tots: Free Craft Time
Sunday, January 14, 1 to 3 p.m.
Fun and easy pottery crafts for tiny-tots to enjoy during this two-hour free craft time! Great for children ages 6 and under. No registration needed, included with paid museum admission.
Petroglyph Discovery Hike
Saturday, January 20, 9 to 10 a.m.
Bring the whole family for a short one mile Hohokam petroglyph discovery hike at South Mountain for an easy but also petroglyph rich hiking experience. An experienced Museum guide will lead participants on a quick one-mile, one-hour interpretive hike, perfect for all ages and busy schedules. Space is limited. Advance registration required by January 18. Cost: $5 for all ages, discounts for Museum Members.
Behind the Scenes Tour with Curator
Thursday, January 18, 10 to 10:45 a.m.
Join collections staff for a “behind the scenes” tour of Pueblo Grande Museum. Take an intimate tour of the lab, storage, and archival areas not open to the public. See how museums process, organize, and care for their collections. Space is limited, register at front desk in Museum Lobby. $5 Tour fee is in addition to Museum admission. Discounts for Museum Members.
Drop-In Discoveries
Saturday, January 20, 10 a.m. to noon
Join Pima artist August Wood, from the Salt River Pima Maricopa Indian Reservation, on the back patio for a drop-in informational program and demonstration about Pima baskets. Discover the ways in which these beautiful hand-made baskets are created. See up close the traditional techniques used to weave natural desert materials into baskets of all shapes, sizes and designs. Included with museum admission, made possible by the Pueblo Grande Museum Auxiliary.
Park of Four Waters Tour
Friday, January 26, 10 to 11 a.m.
The Park of Four Waters tour will take you on a walk through undeveloped, natural desert to the ruins of prehistoric Hohokam canal systems. The Hohokam people lived in the Salt River Area from approximately 450AD to 1450AD. They were an agricultural society, growing corn, beans, squash and cotton. In order to support their extensive agricultural system, the Hohokam people constructed miles of canals in order to direct water from the Salt River to their fields. Space is limited, register at front desk in lobby. $5 Tour fee is in addition to Museum Admission. Discounts for Museum Members.
The Museum is located on the Southeast corner of 44th St. and Washington St.
Accessible by the Sky Train and the Sky Harbor Airport Light Rail Station Stop
Follow us on Facebook @PuebloGrandeMuseum and on Twitter @PuebloGrande
Museum Hours: October through April – Monday to Saturday 9 a.m. to 4:45 p.m., Sunday 1 to 4:45 p.m. CLOSED Sunday and Monday May through September and most major holidays
Museum Admission: Adults $6, Seniors (55+) $5, Children (6-17) $3, under 6 are Free and Children 17 and under are free on Sundays
Explore the Ancient Heart of Phoenix
Pueblo Grande Museum is located on a 1,000 year old archaeological site once inhabited by the Hohokam culture located just minutes from downtown Phoenix next to Sky Harbor International Airport. This National Historic Landmark and Phoenix Point of Pride has been a part of the City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department since 1929, and is the largest preserved archaeological site within Phoenix. Easily accessible by the Sky Train and the Light Rail, the museum is open 7 days a week October through April, and closed Sundays and Mondays, May through September.
A fully accessible 2/3 mile trail takes you through a prehistoric Hohokam archaeological village site with a partially excavated platform mound, ballcourt, and replicated prehistoric houses. There are three galleries to visit while at the Museum. The main gallery displays artifacts of the Hohokam and discusses the Pueblo Grande village site. The children’s hands-on gallery has activities to help kids learn about the science of archaeology. And the changing gallery features exhibits on various topics from archaeology, southwest cultures, and Arizona history. For authentic Native American gifts, art, and jewelry, the Museum Store has something for all tastes and budgets.
Throughout the year, Pueblo Grande Museum has programming for adults, children, and families, which include archaeology classes for kids, arts and crafts workshops, hikes, and lectures. The Museum also holds annual events, such as the Indian Market, children’s summer programs, a Native Art & Rug Auction, Ancient Technology Day and more to please all ages and interests!
