Smoki Museum

Opened in 1935, the mission of the Smoki Museum is to promote an understanding and appreciation for the historic and prehistoric Native American culture of the Southwest and features the largest collection of Kate Cory oil paintings in the United States.

Designed to resemble an Indian pueblo, the Smoki Museum was built in 1935 of native stone and wood. It was constructed with labor provided by the Civilian Works Administration and the Smoki People. The Smoki People were a group of Prescott citizens organized in 1921 and dedicated to the perpetuation of American Indian ceremonies and dances. As late as 1990, the Smoki People held annual pageants at the Yavapai County Fairgrounds.

The Museum houses irreplaceable collections of prehistoric and contemporary pottery, prehistoric jewelry and stone artifacts. The Smoki Museum exhibits also include an outstanding collection of Southwest basketry and kachinas. Among the Museum’s many valued collections are artist Kate Cory’s numerous photographs, paintings and documents.

The Smoki Museum welcomes school groups, civic organizations and travel groups. Our facilities are available for classes. A comprehensive library of books on American Indian archaeology and ethnography is available for research. The Museum Trading Post offers affordable arts and crafts created by Native North and South Americans, as well as several Southwest publications.