Mohave Museum of History and Arts

Northwest Arizona is a land of pine forested mountains, deep canyons, fertile river valleys, and high cactus covered deserts... Rich in a variety of minerals gold, silver, copper, molybdenum, turquoise and other gemstones ... inhabited by shy bighorn sheep and deer, as well as snakes, scorpions, tarantulas ... Quail and cactus wrens, antelope, coyotes and the inevitable jack rabbits.The history of the area is as varied: peopled originally by "The Forgotten Ones" and late by the Mohave, Hualapai, Chemehuevi, Havasupai and Paiute Indians; it attracted soldiers, missionaries, steam boaters, ranchers, railroaders, miners; and all the merchants, schoolteachers and others who helped to settle the area.Fleet-footed Mohave Indians blazed trails or followed the ones left by their ancestors or animals ... Missionaries and Spanish soldiers searched for souls to save or gold to mine ... Wagon trains rolled through, filled with people seeking land or a new way of life ... Herds of cattle were driven through to feed the military or the new settlers.  All of these people left their footprints in time and changed the face of the land.The Mohave Museum of History and Arts is dedicated to the purposes of preserving the heritage of Northwestern Arizona and of presenting that history to the public.Founded in August 1961, the Mohave Museum of History and Arts is a private, not-for-profit organization.  Its growth and current operations are financed entireley by admissions, memberships and contributions.  The benefits of membership include free admission for members and their out-of-town guests, a 10% discount in the Gift Shop, a monthly newsletter and invitations to special events.  Of course, the greatest satisfaction is the realization that the support helps to preserve, and make available to the public, the history of Mohave County and Northwest Arizona.