Western Spirit: Scottsdale's Museum of the West facts for kids
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| Established | 2015 |
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| Location | 3830 N. Marshall Way Scottsdale, Arizona 85251 United States |
| Type | Museum |
Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West is a cool place in Scottsdale, Arizona. It opened in January 2015. This big, two-story museum is 43,000 square feet. It shows off the amazing art, culture, and history of the American West. This includes 19 states, parts of Western Canada, and Mexico.
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Discovering Western History
The idea for Western Spirit came from former Scottsdale mayor Herb Drinkwater. He wanted a place to celebrate the West. The museum is owned by the City of Scottsdale. A non-profit group helps run it every day.
The museum building started being built on January 20, 2014. It has eight areas for exhibits. There's also a theater with 135 seats. You can find a sculpture courtyard and a museum store too. Since 2015, Western Spirit has been connected with the Smithsonian. This means it's a special museum! True West Magazine even called it "The Nation’s Best Western Museum" for several years.
What the Museum is All About
The museum's main goal is to share stories. It wants to show visitors the unique history of the American West. This includes the stories of Indigenous Peoples, Spanish and Mexican settlers, and Western pioneers. The museum helps people explore the past to understand the future.
You can see different art, old items, and cultural objects. There are also fun activities, talks, and performances. All these things help you learn about the American West.
Museum Building and Design
The museum building was designed by Christiana Moss and Christopher Alt. They are architects from Studio MA. The outdoor areas were designed by landscape architects Colwell and Michele Shelor.
The building is very eco-friendly. It has a special certification for saving natural resources. The way the building looks and feels tells the story of the West. For example, the outside walls have concrete ribs. These look like the ribs of a saguaro cactus. They also help keep the building cool by providing shade.
There's a "weeping wall" in the courtyard. It collects rainwater and recycles water from the air conditioning. This water then helps water the plants around the museum. The building also uses Western red cedar wood inside. This wood smells nice and adds to the natural feel. The design helps you explore the museum like a pioneer.
Amazing Exhibitions
The museum has many different exhibits. They change often, so there's always something new to see!
Current Exhibitions
- Light and Legacy: The Art and Techniques of Edward S. Curtis This exhibit shows over 900 photos by Edward Curtis. He was a photographer and adventurer. From 1900 to 1930, he traveled across the American West. He visited many Indigenous Peoples and took thousands of pictures. He also made early movies of Native Americans. His big book, The North American Indian, is very important. This exhibit was on view until April 30, 2023.
Ongoing Exhibitions
- Courage & Crossroads: A Visual Journey through the American West See a special tomahawk given to Meriwether Lewis on the Lewis and Clark Expedition. You can also see Kit Carson’s messenger pouch. These items tell stories of the American West in the 1800s and early 1900s. There are also over 100 paintings and sculptures. These include works by famous artists like Frederic Remington and Charles M. Russell.
- Canvas of Clay: Hopi Pottery Masterworks from The Allan and Judith Cooke Collection This exhibit celebrates six centuries of the Hopi people and their culture. It shows more than 65 beautiful examples of Hopi pottery. You can watch a video about how Hopi pottery is made. The exhibit includes pieces by Nampeyo, a very famous Hopi potter.
- Dr. Rennard Strickland’s Profound Legacy: The Golden West on the Silver Screen This exhibit honors Dr. Rennard Strickland. It shows posters and lobby cards from his huge collection of Western and Indian movie posters. He collected over 7,000 of these over 50 years!
- The A.P. Hays Spirit of the West Collection See a collection of 1,400 Old West items. These include revolvers, rifles, saddles, knives, and badges. Many of these items are very rare. The exhibit shows things like working cowboys, wild west shows, and outlaws.
- Of Spirit and Flame: John Coleman Bronzes from the Collection of Frankie and Howard Alper Explore more than 20 bronze sculptures by John Coleman. He is an award-winning artist from Arizona. He is known for his art about the American West. You can also learn about how bronze sculptures are made.
The Museum Store
The Sue and Robert Karatz Museum Store at Western Spirit has unique items. Phoenix Magazine even called it the "Best Place to Get AZ Stuff." You can find pottery, glassware, books, jewelry, and items for kids. All purchases help support the museum. You can visit the store without buying a museum ticket.
