Museum of Northern Arizona

Nestled among the Ponderosa pines at the base of the San Francisco Peaks, the Museum of Northern Arizona is the ideal place to discover the natural and cultural heritage of the fascinating region surrounding Flagstaff, Arizona, and the Grand Canyon.

Founded in 1928 by Dr. Harold S. Colton and MaryRussell Ferrell Colton, the Museum is dedicated to the understanding and interpretation of the Colorado Plateau, a 130,000-square-mile geographic area encompassing northern Arizona and the four corners region (Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah) including the Grand Canyon, Bryce and Zion National Parks, and the Hopi and Navajo reservations.

Research, exhibits, and educational programs are conducted on the biology, geology, anthropology, and fine arts of the region.

The Geology Gallery features state-of-the-art displays about the geology of the Colorado Plateau. A highlight of this gallery is a life-size skeletal model of Dilophosaurus, a carnivorous dinosaur found in northern Arizona.

Highlights & Collections

Intriguing fine arts of the region are displayed in the Lockett Fine Arts Gallery, which also highlights the Museum's own outstanding collection of easel art and sculpture. The Special Exhibits Gallery is utilized for the Museum's dynamic schedule of changing exhibits throughout the year, including the annual Native American sales exhibit May through September featuring the finest Hopi, Navajo, and Zuni art.

The Babbitt Gallery is a 2,000-square-foot renovated wing. It features a small reading area with a fireplace, and is ultimately intended to display the Museum's ceramics collection featuring previously donated historical works to the Museum by members of the pioneer Babbitt family of northern Arizona. Opened in August 1995, the Branigar/Chase Discovery Center significantly increases the Museum's public space. It offers a 225-seat Harvey W. Branigar Hall, a fine arts gallery, educational space, catering facilities, multipurpose rooms, and a relaxing, gathering space, the Sarah Lee Branigar Reception Room. The facility is available for use by outside organizations and individuals for a fee.

The Historic Colton House Retreat Center is another component of the Museum of Northern Arizona campus. Built in 1929 as the home of the Coltons, the Museum's cofounders, the Colton House was recently restored to its original grandeur through a donation. Today, the house is used for small retreats and symposia sponsored by the Museum, for visiting scholars and special guests of the Museum and the surrounding community, and for private receptions.

In addition to its permanent exhibits, the Museum of Northern Arizona presents an annual summer-long celebration of Native American art, a tradition since 1930. The Education Department also organizes numerous lectures, workshops, and field trips for all ages to explore the Colorado Plateau during the year. See the schedule of exhibits and events for specifics.

Exhibits & Special Events

Hours:

• 9 am-5 pm daily.
• Some evening hours.
• Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day.

Admission & Directions:

• $5/Adults,
• $4/Seniors (55 and older),
• $3/Students (18 and older with ID),
• $2/Children (ages 7-17).
• Tour Groups: Rates are available for commercial and school tour groups. Please call (520)774-5211, ext. 220, for information. Guided tours are available for an extra fee with at least four weeks notice.