Verde Valley Archaeology Center & Museum

05/26/2026

Explore the intricacies of Sinaguan basketry in our newest exhibit, “Tim's Cave Reimagined: Stewarding a Cultural Collection.”

At the cliff site, baskets and basket fragments were present alongside the massive ollas. The basketry assortment, which includes a coiled basket base and twilled yucca mat fragment, offers a glimpse into the techniques and styles used by the Southern Sinagua (Hisatsinom) between AD 1200 and 1400.

Visitors can view the exhibit during our summer museum hours, Thursdays through Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with last admission at 3 p.m.

05/21/2026

Throughout April and May, the National Park Service has been hosting artists and cultural demonstrations on site at Montezuma’s Castle and Tuzigoot National Monument.

On Saturday, May 23 at Montezuma’s Castle and on Sunday, May 24 at Tuzigoot National Monument, Makwesa Chimerica will be sharing his skills and work as a traditional Hopi Katsina Carver and Artist.

Makwesa and VVAC have collaborated over the years on numerous projects. He has presented his work at multiple events at the center and made Katsinas for the museum's Indigenous Cosmology and Astronomy Gallery.

Find more information at this link: https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/event-details.htm?id=8F19B7A1-989C-763F-127D24991AA842E7

05/19/2026

Register now for another installment of the Pastels for Beginners class!

Back by popular demand, this two-week intensive class will teach participants the unique medium of “painting” with pastels. Students will be "painting" a respectful still life featuring artifacts from our new exhibit, “Tim's Cave Reimagined: Stewarding a Cultural Collection.”

Participants will learn about different types of pastels, blending techniques and surfaces, as well as how to mix colors and create various effects. No prior pastel or drawing experience is necessary! Students will leave with a pastel painting suitable for framing.

The course is taught by Sylvia Strobel. The class fee includes all materials and participants will leave with their own set of pastels.

For more information and to register, visit this link: https://www.verdevalleyarchaeology.org/events/pastels-for-beginners-class-1

05/18/2026

We have 3 spots left for our Members Hike to Leroux Springs!

On June 15th, join hike leaders McGaugh and Monica Buckle for a hike in the cool pines and wildflowers near Flagstaff. Located at the base of Flagstaff's San Francisco Peaks, big and little Leroux Springs have long been an important continuous source of water for thousands of years. Indigenous Americans, explorers, and homesteaders all used this vital water source.

Participants must be comfortable walking 3-miles roundtrip and at an elevation of 7,000 feet. After the hike join us in downtown Flagstaff for a group lunch at Bigfoot BBQ Restaurant. Please note, transportation is not provided and lunch is a separate expense.

Due to demand this hike is only available for VVAC members. Advance registration is required. For more information and to register, visit this link: https://www.verdevalleyarchaeology.org/events/members-hike-to-leroux-springs

05/17/2026

Looking for something cooler to do as the weather warms up? Visit our newest exhibit, “Tim's Cave Reimagined: Stewarding a Cultural Collection.”

This exhibit tells the story of a chance sighting of prehistoric artifacts and cultural items by helicopter, a theft, a recovery effort by the United States Forest Service, and a federal investigation. The narrative explores the history of the Hisatsinom (Sinagua) who inhabited the Verde Valley region while weaving in the importance of visiting with respect and of Tribal collaboration in archaeology present-day.

Visitors can view the exhibit during our summer museum hours, Thursdays through Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with last admission at 3 p.m.

05/14/2026

VVAC will move to its annual summer schedule with reduced museum hours starting on Monday, May 18th through Tuesday, September 1st.

The museum will be open to the public on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Last museum admission is at 3:00 p.m.

Please note, Docents will still be available for complimentary tours.

05/11/2026

As we shared in a previous post, VVAC recently received the Museum Association of Arizona’s 2025-2026 Institutional Award for Excellence!

To read more about the museum receiving this award, as well as Ken Zoll, VVAC’s Director Emeritus, receiving the prestigious Roger Lidman Distinguished Service Award, read our April feature article at this link:

The Verde Valley Archaeology Center and Museum received the 2025-2026 Institutional Award for Excellence from the Museum Association of Arizona (MAA) and Ken Zoll, VVAC’s Director Emeritus, received the 2025-2026 Roger Lidman Distinguished Service Award. 

05/08/2026

VVAC is thrilled to be hosting the Young Creator’s Summer Studio workshops! These standalone workshops are geared for children ages 10-18. Each class is a guided, step-by-step painting, where students will create their own artwork to take home. Students can join one or all three sessions!

Workshop Painting Themes, Dates & Times:
Friday, June 5 - Sky Landscape | 12:30 – 3:00 p.m.
Friday, June 19 - Boot with an Arizona Sunset | 12:30 – 3:00 p.m.
Friday, July 17 - Mystery Design (to be revealed!)| 12:30 – 3:00 p.m.

The workshops are $20 per student per workshop and includes all supplies. Students will take home a completed 8 x 10 painting.

The workshops are led by Chianne Hope and assisted by Mary Rush. Chianne Hope is a local artist, small-business owner, and mother who specializes in vibrant acrylic paintings and inspiring creativity in young minds. As a mom to a 4½-year-old daughter, she also teaches children’s art classes, creating a fun and supportive space where kids can explore, express themselves, and build confidence through art. Mary Rush, an award-winning artist, is the founder of the Camp Verde Artists Group. She has created and led art workshops for both adults and children since 1992.

The workshops are available to members and non-members. Free museum admission is included for registered participants and a parent/guardian.

Advance registration is required at this link: verdevalleyarchaeology.app.neoncrm.com/nx/portal/neonevents/events?path=%2Fportal%2Fevents%2F44988

05/01/2026

On Monday, April the 27th, VVAC's Executive Director, Monica Buckle and VVAC's Director Emeritus, Ken Zoll attended the Museum Association of Arizona's state-wide conference in Fountain Hills and were the recipients of two awards.

VVAC received the 2025 -2026 Institutional Award for Excellence. This award is bestowed by the Museum Association of Arizona (MAA). The award is given to a museum that has exhibited leadership qualities by achieving excellence in its work, including in the areas of collection, preservation, research, interpretation, and education.

Ken Zoll received MAA's 2025 -2026 Roger Lidman Distinguished Service Award. This prestigious award is named for one of MAA's beloved Arizona museum members, is given to an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to an individual museum, the museum profession, the local community, to Arizona, to MAA, and/or to other professional organizations, recognizing a recent milestone or a lengthy career.

VVAC is a privately funded non-profit museum comprised of dedicated staff, volunteers, board of directors, amazing members, and friends of the museum. Many thanks to MAA for the distinctions and for recognizing VVAC's contribution to the State of Arizona. As well as, Ken Zoll's recognition for his service to the Verde Valley and beyond.

04/29/2026

Saturdays’ opening reception for our exhibit “Tim's Cave Reimagined: Stewarding a Cultural Collection” was a big success!

Ted Pavatea (Hopi/Tewa) and his grandson Brendon (Hopi/Tewa) drummed and sang to welcome the cultural material to VVAC, and Peter J. Pilles, Jr. spoke about his experience at the site working as the Forest Archaeologist for Coconino National Forest.

Thank you to everyone who attended and for those who made this exhibit possible: Monica Buckle, Executive Director; Jerry Morris, Exhibit Preparator; Alyssa Smith, Exhibit Editorial Associate; and Betty Goodwin, Museum Associate.

Visitors can view the exhibit during our regular museum hours Tuesdays through Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with last admission at 3 p.m.