Museum of Northern Arizona | Flagstaff

Museum of Northern Arizona – In Detail

The Museum of Northern Arizona (MNA), located just three miles north of downtown Flagstaff, is one of the Southwest’s premier institutions dedicated to the preservation, interpretation, and celebration of the natural and cultural heritage of the Colorado Plateau. Founded in 1928 by Dr. Harold S. Colton, a zoologist from the University of Pennsylvania, and Mary-Russell Ferrell Colton, an artist and preservationist, the museum was established to safeguard and study the Native cultures, natural sciences, and arts of this geologically and culturally rich region.

Architectural and Campus Overview

The museum sits on a 200-acre campus at the base of the San Francisco Peaks. Its buildings are constructed in a style that blends native stone and timber, harmonizing with the surrounding ponderosa pine forest. The campus includes multiple galleries, research laboratories, an auditorium, a gift shop, and the cutting-edge Easton Collection Center-a LEED Platinum-certified archival building with a green roof, solar panels, and climate-controlled vaults. This facility houses over five million objects from across the disciplines of ethnology, biology, geology, fine art, and archaeology.

Exhibits and Galleries

MNA features both permanent and rotating exhibits that explore the intersection of indigenous cultures, natural landscapes, and scientific exploration.

1. Geology Gallery

This gallery showcases the immense geological diversity of the Colorado Plateau, presenting ancient fossils, rock formations, mineral specimens, and a striking full-scale Dilophosaurus skeleton-an iconic early Jurassic predator discovered near the region. Exhibits trace the uplift, erosion, and volcanic activity that have shaped the Grand Canyon, Painted Desert, and Monument Valley.

2. Ethnology Gallery

Dedicated to the living traditions of the Native peoples of the Plateau, including the Hopi, Navajo (Diné), Zuni, Hualapai, Havasupai, and Pai tribes. Exhibits highlight traditional clothing, ceremonial items, katsina dolls, jewelry, baskets, pottery, and contemporary Indigenous artworks, emphasizing cultural continuity and adaptation.

3. Archaeology Gallery

This area delves into the ancient civilizations that inhabited the region over thousands of years. Visitors encounter ancestral Puebloan artifacts, such as pottery shards, stone tools, and reconstructed Hopi kiva murals, offering a glimpse into ceremonial and daily life of prehistoric communities.

4. Fine Arts Gallery

Showcases work by regional artists, especially those influenced by the landscape and culture of the Southwest. This includes paintings, prints, and sculptures by both Native and non-Native artists, with a strong emphasis on early 20th-century Southwest regionalism.

5. Babbitt Gallery and Navajo Weaving Collection

Home to hundreds of masterfully woven Navajo rugs and textiles, this collection demonstrates the evolution of styles and techniques across generations. Visitors can explore how traditional patterns coexist with modern design innovations, reflecting individual weavers' identities.

Research and Collections

MNA maintains extensive research programs in anthropology, botany, zoology, paleontology, and geology. The Easton Collection Center, which stores most of its scientific specimens, is designed to preserve sensitive materials in optimal environmental conditions and serves as a resource for scholars worldwide.

Key collection categories include:

Over 400,000 archaeological artifacts, from Paleoindian projectile points to ancestral Puebloan ceramics.

One of the most comprehensive Native textile collections in the Southwest.

Biological specimens including herbarium samples, insect collections, and preserved wildlife.

Extensive paleontological records, including trace fossils and rare vertebrate remains from Arizona’s Triassic and Jurassic formations.

Educational Programming

MNA places a strong emphasis on public education and cultural engagement.

School Tours and Youth Workshops: Customized programs aligned with state standards introduce students to geology, archaeology, and Native cultures.

Family Science Days and Nature Camps: Hands-on activities connect children and families to the science and stories of the region.

Public Lectures and Panel Discussions: Regularly hosted by visiting scientists, Indigenous scholars, artists, and museum staff.

Workshops and Artist Demonstrations: Ranging from Navajo weaving and Hopi silversmithing to fossil casting and desert ecology walks.

Namingha Institute: A mentoring and cultural preservation initiative focused on supporting Indigenous youth through creative and academic programs.

Annual Events

MNA is home to several well-attended cultural festivals:

Heritage Festival of Arts and Culture (Summer): A major gathering of Native artists, musicians, and dancers celebrating regional Indigenous traditions with performances, artist booths, and storytelling.

Thirsty Thursday Music Series (Summer Evenings): Local music, food, and drinks in an outdoor setting with late gallery hours.

Celebraciones de la Gente (Fall): A Día de los Muertos event co-hosted with Latino community partners featuring ofrendas, music, and food.

Winter Market (December): A holiday-themed Indigenous arts market.

Sustainability and Eco-Design

MNA is a leader in sustainable museum design. The Easton Collection Center is built with reclaimed wood, locally quarried sandstone, and has a green roof that supports native plants and insulates the building. It harvests rainwater for landscaping use and uses solar panels for energy efficiency. Environmental stewardship is integrated into all aspects of campus operations.

Visitor Experience

Admission: $15 adults, $10 for youth (10–17) and Native visitors, free for children under 10. Discounted rates are available for SNAP/WIC cardholders and members.

Hours: Open daily from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Closed on some holidays.

Amenities: Onsite gift shop, accessible restrooms, scenic picnic areas, and paved walking trails. Interpretive signage and audio guides enhance the visit.

Accessibility: Most galleries and paths are wheelchair-accessible. Interpretive material is available in multiple languages upon request.

Final Overview

The Museum of Northern Arizona is not merely a museum but a cultural institution grounded in respect for place, people, and the sciences. Its holistic approach to interpreting the Colorado Plateau-through Indigenous voices, scientific rigor, and artistic expression-makes it an essential destination for those seeking a deeper, more integrated understanding of the American Southwest. Visitors leave with a broader awareness of both the fragility and resilience of this vast landscape and its enduring cultures.