Heritage & History
MUSEUMS & MORE
Prescott is home to three of Arizona’s most prized museums: Sharlot Hall Museum, The Phippen Museum of Western Art, and the Smoki Museum. Each one explores western culture and heritage in a unique way that both entertains and educates.
There are also some historic and prehistoric sites around Prescott well worth visiting, some of which have an arcaeological element. Learn more about them by clicking here.
In addition, three local groups honor the history and heritage of Arizona through their efforts to bring the events and activities of bygone days to visitors and residents alike: Prescott Frontier Days & The World's Oldest Rodeo, The Prescott Regulators & Their Shady Ladies, and Prescott Western Heritage Days.
Sharlot Hall Museum
415 W. Gurley St.
Prescott, AZ 86301
928-445-3122
Sharlot Hall Museum, which celebrated its 80th anniversary in 2008, is located on a four-acre campus in downtown Prescott. Home of the restored territorial Governor’s Mansion built in 1864, the Museum features seven historic buildings, compelling exhibits and beautiful gardens, which serve as the setting for numerous public festivals.
The Library and Archives, open to the public, hold a vast collection of rare books, original documents, historical photographs, maps and oral history. The Blue Rose Theater offers an entire season of historically based plays, and the Living History program brings the past alive through live demonstrations.
The Phippen Museum
4701 North Highway 89
Prescott, AZ 86301
928-778-1385
The Phippen features an extensive permanent collection of Western Art from artists such as George Phippen, Joe Beeler, Olaf Weigehorst, Frank Polk, Ernest Chiriacka and more. Throughout the year they feature a number of traveling exhibits and shows. The Phippen’s main annual event is the Phippen Museum Western Art Show & Sale, which takes place over Memorial Day weekend on Prescott’s tree-lined Courthouse Plaza. Over 200 of the country’s best Western artists display and sell their artwork in what has become one of the Prescott area’s biggest attractions.
the
spot...A Child's Museum
3250 Gateway Blvd.
Prescott, AZ 86301
the spot...a Child's Museum provides unique and meaningful
programs and exhibits for all children that educate them in the
concepts of their world and build a lifelong interest in learning.
We offer a dynamic, constantly-evolving museum format that
incorporates all of the day-to-day facets of life specifically
related to science, technology, engineering, math, (STEM) and the
fine arts with a strong focus on the history and culture of the
local area. Located inside Prescott Gateway...
Read more...
The
Prescott Western Heritage Foundation, Inc., in partnership with the
Prescott Regulators & Their Shady Ladies, Inc., Sharlot Hall
Museum, the Prescott Victorian Society, Inc., the Prescott
Roughriders, the 9th Calvary/Buffalo Soldiers, and the Prescott
Buscaderos, will host the largest re-enactment gathering in Arizona
during the Arizona Centennial kick-off celebration from September
16 -18. Prescott Western Heritage Days will be held along the
world-famous Whiskey Row and at various nearby venues beginning at
9:00...
Read more...
Prescott is home to the World's Oldest Rodeo, and this summer will celebrate its 124th anniversary with another week of thrilling rodeo performances and associated events such as the Rodeo Dance and Prescott Frontier Days parade.
The World's Oldest Rodeo
Prescott Rodeo Grounds
840 Rodeo Dr.
Prescott, AZ 86301
928-445-3103 (general information)
928-445-4320 or 866-407-6336 (rodeo tickets)
The Smoki Museum
147 N. Arizona Ave.
Prescott, AZ 86301
928-445-1230
The Smoki Museum, 147 N. Arizona Ave., documents early Native American history of regional tribes through a variety of basketry, pottery, weavings and many other artifacts. One of the Smoki's biggest annual attractions is the Navajo Rug and Indian Art Auction in March.
The Prescott Regulators & Their Shady Ladies are an award-winning, dedicated group of living history performers that have come together to share their love of history and Arizona and preserve the culture of the Old West and Arizona Territory. One of their most popular annual events is the Shootout on Whiskey Row, taking place again this summer on July 23 & 24.
Learn more by visiting the website.
