The Arizona State Museum, affiliated with the Smithsonian Institution, is located on the University of Arizona campus in Tucson. It houses important collections of Southwestern artifacts, including basketry, textiles, and Indian pottery. The museum partners with the university in research and educational programs and operates an internship program for undergraduate students. It also hosts educational programs and events throughout the year.
The Arizona State Museum is the largest museum in the American Southwest and is affiliated with the Smithsonian Institution. Founded in 1893 by Arizona’s first governor, the Arizona State Museum is located on the campus of the University of Arizona in Tucson and partners with the university in research and educational programs. The museum grants archaeological permits and works with the state to enforce its laws regarding antiquities, including the conservation and documentation of any artifacts. As an invaluable resource for the conservation and research of native cultures, paleontology and anthropology, the Arizona State Museum plays a vital role in educating the public about the culture of the southwestern United States and northern Mexico.
Due to the fact that the culture and history of the Southwest predates recorded history, many of the collections housed in the museum are from excavations conducted by museum or university researchers. Excavated baskets, pottery and waste constitute a small part of the materials collected and preserved. The museum also houses items donated by current cultures. Many of the archival materials of the nation’s leading anthropologists are housed in the museum. As an affiliate of the Smithsonian, the association gives the museum a wider audience and access to greater resources, enhancing the museum’s ability to fulfill its mission to preserve, research and educate.
Some of the largest and most important collections of Southwestern artifacts in the world are found at the Arizona State Museum. The museum contains more than 25,000 pieces of basketry and textiles from many indigenous cultures. Around 20,000 pieces of Indian pottery are preserved and documented by the museum. The museum is the largest state archaeological repository in the United States, processing materials for federal and tribal government agencies.
The museum’s location on the University of Arizona campus offers it unique partnership opportunities with the educational institution. University and museum researchers can collaborate on research projects and share resources. The museum also operates an internship program for undergraduate students. Together, they are able to gain a greater understanding of the development of prehistoric peoples, the effects of interfacing with other cultures, and how these cultures interacted with and were influenced by their environment.
There are many educational programs in place for the museum to share information with students and the general public. The hands-on, interactive displays are meant to engage students and broaden their experience with the story. Throughout the year, the Arizona State Museum hosts art fairs, talks and workshops.
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