Archaeology and history buffs rejoice: The Arizona Parks and Trails Archaeology and Heritage Awareness Month, held in March, provides activities throughout the Verde Valley.
According to Arizona State Parks Public Information Officer Monica Enriquez, the events are intended to preserve cultural resources through education. Each year, the ASPD leverages its own resources along with other organizations toward this effort.
“AAHAM combines education with entertainment to reach both adults and children in an effort to teach responsible stewardship of our cultural resources,” Enriquez said. “Museums, historical societies, tribes, agencies, parks and archaeology organizations will be hosting events across the state.
“Proclaimed by the governor each year, this celebration will feature prehistoric and historic site tours, exhibits, hikes, demonstrations and activities throughout Arizona.”
Northern Arizona is well represented, with 10 events planned over the course of the month.
“It’s important for the local residents to gain a better appreciation of those who have come before them and made the Verde Valley their home for 12,000 years,” Verde Valley Archaeology Center Executive Director Ken Zoll said, adding that he has six films, and a variety of lectures going on during the month, including the Indian Art Show, Saturday and Sunday, March 18 and 19.
“It’s crucial that not only the current, but future generations, can come away with an appreciation of the difficulties the people went through in establishing a life here,” Zoll said.
Verde Valley Schedule
Demonstration: Ancient Technologies, where visitors learn how to make fire by friction and construct prehistoric jewelry. The demonstration will be outside on the front porch, so check weather. Free. Call 203-2902 for more information.
Friday, March 3, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Red Rock Ranger Station Visitor Center, 8375 State Route 179, one mile south of the Village of Oak Creek.
Display: Mountain Men: Tools of the Trade, where visitors learn about how mountain men were important in opening up new territories. Regular park fees apply.
Call 567-3275 for more information.
Saturday, March 4, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Fort Verde State Historic Park, 125 E. Hollamon St., Camp Verde.
Display: Military Medics During the Indian Wars Period, where visitors learn about early Frontier Army medical tools and equipment. Regular park fees apply. Call 567-3275 for more information.
Saturday, March 11, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Fort Verde State Historic Park.
Hike: Montezuma Well, where visitors join a National Park Service ranger who will provide a history of the park and answer questions. The hike is approximately one mile on paved trails. Call 567-3322 for more information.
Wednesday, March 15, 1 p.m., Montezuma Well National Monument, 5525 Beaver Creek Road, Rimrock.
Presentation: Vintage Base Ball, where vintage base ball players play a series of vintage base ball games. Regular park fees apply. Call 567-3275 for more information.
Saturday, March 18, 10 a.m., Fort Verde State Historic Park.
Display: Ancient Indian Technology, where visitors learn about ancient Indian technology as well as the history of the fort. Regular park fees apply. Call 567-3275 for more information.
Saturday, March 18, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Fort Verde State Historic Park.
Program: The Verde Valley Archaeology Center Archaeology Fair, which features displays and a variety of archaeology-related lectures, films, demonstrations and classes, as well as American Indian arts. Call 567-0066 for more information.
Saturday, March 18 and 19, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Camp Verde Community Center, 395 S. Main St., Camp Verde.
Hike and Presentation: Tuzigoot Pueblo, where visitors join NPS archaeologists, who will provide a history of Tuzigoot Pueblo and answer questions. Participants will walk around Tuzigoot Pueblo, approximately one-half mile. Free with paid admission to the park. Call 554-5086 for more information.
Monday, March 20, 1 p.m., Tuzigoot National Monument, 25 Tuzigoot Road, Clarkdale.
Program: V-Bar-V Archaeology Discovery Day, where visitors take part in numerous demonstrations including making fire by friction, weaving yucca, agave and cotton fibers, making and firing pottery, throwing spears with atlatls, grinding corn and a mountain man camp. Red Rock Pass or equivalent entrance fee required per vehicle. Call 203-2909 for more information.
Saturday, March 25 and 26, 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., V-Bar-V Heritage Site, 6750 N. Forest Ranger Road, Rimrock.
Hike and Presentation: Montezuma Castle and Castle A Sites, where visitors join NPS archaeologists as they provide a history of the park and answer questions. Participants will walk approximately one-quarter of a mile on a paved trail. Free with paid admission to the park. Call 554-5086 for more information.
Monday, March 27, 1 p.m., Montezuma Castle, Montezuma Castle Road Camp Verde.
