Pecos National Historical Park [NM]

Description

Pecos National Historical Park "preserves 12,000 years of history including the ancient pueblo of Pecos, Colonial Missions, Santa Fe Trail sites, 20th century ranch history of Forked Lightning Ranch, and the site of the Civil War Battle of Glorieta Pass. For several centuries the Upper Pecos Valley has been one of those rare places where the impact of geography on human experience is strikingly clear." The park is full of history, ranging from early American Indians to the Civil War in the west and Spanish settlement.

The park offers a 10-minute introductory film, exhibits in English and Spanish, guided tours, a one-mile trail, summer demonstrations, and Junior Ranger activities. Two weeks advance notice is required for all guided tours. The website offers detailed historical information regarding the park, as well as general visitor information. In order to contact the park via email, use the "contact us" link located on the left side of the webpage.

Aztec Ruins National Monument [NM]

Description

The Aztec Ruins National Monument is an ancestral Pueblo site. A "great house" known as West Ruin offers one-half mile of rooms, some with their original wooden roofing and mortar. The reconstructed Great Kiva offers a glimpse of how an ancestral Pueblo religious and social center would have looked. Although referred to as Aztec, the ruins are in fact Anasazi or, as they are more commonly called, ancestral Pueblo. The use of the designator "Aztec" arose out of local word-of-mouth circa 1876.

The monument offers an introductory video on the area's Pre-Columbian history, interpretive talks, a self-guided tour and interpretive trail, lectures, traveling trunks, demonstrations of Native American crafts, teacher's workshops, a children's workshop for third-grade students from San Juan County, Junior Ranger activities, and a picnic area. The website offers a curriculum guide for download.

Hovenweep National Monument [CO]

Description

The Hovenweep National Monument consists of six prehistoric ancestral Puebloan villages on an expanse of 26 miles of land. The site was first inhabited more than 10,000 years ago by a farming people. The eventual abandonment of the villages is believed to have been instigated by a lengthy drought.

The monument offers talks, guided walks, interpretive programming, and Junior Ranger activities. Guided walks and interpretive programs are only available for groups and with advance notice. The website offers field trip plans.

Edge of the Cedars State Park Museum [UT]

Description

The Museum houses the largest collection of Ancestral Puebloan (Anasazi) pottery on display in the Four Corners Region and allows visitors to explore an authentic Puebloan village behind the museum. In addition to permanent collections, Edge of the Cedars offers special exhibits, festivals, and events throughout the year. Dynamic exhibits at Edge of the Cedars State Park Museum feature outstanding photography, fine art, current topics in archaeology, and contemporary Native American crafts. Festivals, programs, and special events promote traditional values through storytelling, craft workshops, and an Indian art exhibit.

The site offers exhibits, workshops and classes, and occasional recreational and educational events.

Anasazi State Park Museum [UT]

Description

This ancient village in the heart of Utah's canyon country was one of the largest Ancestral Puebloan communities west of the Colorado River. Now called the Coombs Site, it is believed to have been occupied from AD 1160 to 1235 and may have housed as many as 200 people. Archaeological excavations at the site have revealed more than 100 structures and have produced thousands of artifacts, some of which are on display in the museum. In addition to museum collections, visitors may also explore the Coombs Site, located directly behind the museum.

The site offer exhibits.

Pueblo County Historical Society [CO]

Description

The Pueblo County Historical Society is dedicated to the preservation of the historical heritage of Pueblo, Colorado. Headquartered in the Southeastern Colorado History Center, the society has an extensive collection of historical artifacts and records.

The society offers research resources, field trip programs, and monthly speakers. The website offers visitor information, a history of Pueblo, and information regarding upcoming events.

Homolovi Ruins State Park [AZ]

Description

Homolovi Ruins State Park serves as a center of research for the late migration period of the Hopi (the 13th and 14th century). While archaeologists study the sites and confer with the Hopi to unravel the history of Homolovi, Arizona State Parks provides the opportunity for guests to visit the visitor center, museum, various trails, and campground. The Hopi people supported the creation of the 4,000 acre park in order to protect the ruins of their prehistoric ancestors, the Hisat'sinom (known to archaeologists as the Anasazi) who were believed to have lived in the Homolovi pueblos.

The park offers exhibits and a podcast audio tour of the Homolovi II site (available online).

Jémez State Monument [NM]

Description

The Jemez State Monument Heritage Area includes the stone ruins of a 500-year-old Indian village and the San José de los Jemez church dating to 1610. The village of Giusewa was built in the narrow San Diego Canyon by the ancestors of the present-day people of Jemez (walatowa) Pueblo. The name Giusewa refers to the natural springs in the area. In the 17th century, the Spanish established a Catholic mission at the village. The mission was short-lived, and, in time, the people abandoned the site and moved to the current location of Jemez Pueblo. The massive stone walls were constructed about the same time the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth Rock. The heritage center contains exhibitions that tell the story of the site through the words of the Jemez people. A 1,400-foot interpretive trail winds through the impressive site ruins.

The site offers exhibits.

Seeking the Center Place: The Mesa Verde Cultural Landscape and Pueblo Indian Homeland

Description

From the Crow Canyon Archaeological Center website:

"Come join us and explore thousands of years of Pueblo history as we interact with American Indian scholars, excavate at the Goodman Point Unit of Hovenweep National Monument, conduct laboratory analyses with prominent archaeologists, and study three very important landmarks—Mesa Verde National Park (a UNESCO World Heritage site), the Goodman Point Unit of Hovenweep National Monument, and Sand Canyon Pueblo in the Canyons of the Ancients National Monument. These places and activities will show you how American Indians, anthropologists, and archaeologists work together to provide a full picture of Pueblo history and culture."

Contact name
Debra Miller
Contact email
Registration Deadline
Sponsoring Organization
National Endowment for the Humanities, Crow Canyon Archaeological Center
Phone number
9705644346
Target Audience
K-12
Start Date
Cost
Free; $1,200 stipend
Course Credit
"All teachers will receive a certificate of participation, which will serve as documentation for license renewal credit. In addition, you will have the option of obtaining two hours of graduate credit through Colorado School of Mines for an additional fee."
Duration
One week
End Date

Seeking the Center Place: The Mesa Verde Cultural Landscape and Pueblo Indian Homeland

Description

From the Crow Canyon Archaeological Center website:

"Come join us and explore thousands of years of Pueblo history as we interact with American Indian scholars, excavate at the Goodman Point Unit of Hovenweep National Monument, conduct laboratory analyses with prominent archaeologists, and study three very important landmarks—Mesa Verde National Park (a UNESCO World Heritage site), the Goodman Point Unit of Hovenweep National Monument, and Sand Canyon Pueblo in the Canyons of the Ancients National Monument. These places and activities will show you how American Indians, anthropologists, and archaeologists work together to provide a full picture of Pueblo history and culture."

Contact name
Debra Miller
Contact email
Registration Deadline
Sponsoring Organization
National Endowment for the Humanities, Crow Canyon Archaeological Center
Phone number
9705644346
Target Audience
K-12
Start Date
Cost
Free; $1,200 stipend
Course Credit
"All teachers will receive a certificate of participation, which will serve as documentation for license renewal credit. In addition, you will have the option of obtaining two hours of graduate credit through Colorado School of Mines for an additional fee."
Duration
One week
End Date