Arizona State Museum: A Window into the Southwest's Past

Founded in 1893, the Arizona State Museum (ASM) stands as a portal into the Southwest's ancient past and enduring cultures. As the oldest and largest anthropological research museum in the U.S. Southwest, it houses over 2 million artifacts that tell the story of the region's 13,000-year human history. The museum was initially established as a repository for archaeological resources and has since evolved into a leading research and educational institution.ASM's collections are exceptional, featuring the world's largest and most comprehensive collection of Southwest Indigenous pottery, with approximately 24,000 whole vessels dating back over 2,000 years. The museum also boasts the world's largest collection of Native North American basketry, with 35,000 specimens dating back 7,000 years. Its photographic archives contain over 525,000 prints, negatives, and transparencies, visually documenting the prehistory and ethnology of the American Southwest and northern Mexico.ASM's exhibits and programs celebrate the ancient and enduring Native cultures of the region. Through exhibits, lectures, hands-on activities, and travel tours, visitors can explore the traditions, art, and lifeways of the Southwest's diverse Indigenous peoples. The museum also offers online exhibits and virtual tours for those who cannot visit in person.Currently, the Arizona State Museum is temporarily closed to the public for extensive maintenance and upgrades to its north building, with an expected reopening in two to three years. However, the museum continues to offer events, programs, classes, and travel opportunities during the closure.