First, Become a Member

Basic support for the Museum is provided by its members who pay an annual membership fee. The fees are as follows:

Student      $ 20                      Individual   $ 25                           Family        $ 35

Members receive the following benefits:

Free Admission to the Museum throughout the year

Two guest passes for visits to the Museum

A Museum Store discount of 10 %

Invitations to special events

The Talking Sun Newsletter

Voting privileges at the Annual Meeting

Membership can be obtained by sending your name, address, email address and telephone number and a check for the appropriate amount as listed above to the address at the top of the page.  Please indicate if the membership is new or a renewal.

You can also become a member by calling or visiting the Museum.  Payment can be made by cash, check or credit card. See address and phone number at top of page.

Third, Contribute to the Capital Improvement Program

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.  Until1990, the Smoki People held annual pageants at the Yavapai County Fairgrounds, but they also became a large social organization focused on developing appreciation for Southwest Indian tribes through the Museum and their annual program.   Most of the display cases, hand-chiseled furniture and models were built shortly after the building and qualify as antiques.  The challenge is to maintain the historical value of the building, the display cases, and the like while making visitors comfortable and the collection physically and environmentally safe.  

Check here for more information.

In this context, the Board of Directors has developed A Capital Improvement Program with two basic objectives:

Restore and protect the structural and architectural integrity of our two 75 year old buildings, listed in the “National Register of Historic Places”

Preserve,

Protect and improve the public’s viewing of the Museum’s extensive collection of Native American art and artifacts as well as the materials of the Cline Research Library.

A series of physical improvements have been defined and costed including

- Repair and resealing of the roofs;

- Pointing some of the exterior walls;

- Replacing some electrical systems;

- Improving the storage facility for unused parts of the collection;

- Installing a new HVAC system to upgrade heating and add air conditioning;

- Upgrading the fire alarm, smoke detection and fire suppression systems;

- Rehabilitating windows, doors, walls, floors and trim;

- Adding additional office and conference room space;

- Improving the museum display cases and lighting; and

- Adding movable walls and lighting designed to showcase art.

The Board is seeking contributions to provide matching funds for grants already received or applied for.  Significant progress has been made with the first four items, but to achieve the remaining tasks requires additional contributions.

To assist, send a check made out to the “Smoki Museum Grants Matching Fund” mailed to the address at the top of this page.

Second, become a Volunteer.  

There is a need for people who will greet visitors, staff the Museum store, assist with special events, be trained to lead tours, etc.  If you are intrigued by the Museum’s mission, call the number at the top of the page and indicate you are interested in volunteering.  Someone will call and arrange a meeting to provide an orientation and discuss what role or tasks might be appropriate to your interests and skills.  

Members of the public can help the museum by periodic visits to see the collection and special events and in the following three ways: