Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
494
VISITOR INFORMATION
The
Prescott Chamber of Commerce
is at 117 W. Good-
win St. (
&
800/266-7534
or 928/445-2000; www.prescott.org). The visitor center is
open Monday through Friday from 9am to 5pm, and Saturday and Sunday from 10am
to 2pm.
EXPLORING THE TOWN
A walk around
Courthouse Plaza
should be your first introduction to Prescott. The
stately old courthouse in the middle of the tree-shaded plaza sets the tone for the whole
town. The building, far too large for a small regional town such as this, dates from the
days when Prescott was the capital of the Arizona territory. Under the big shade trees,
you'll find several bronze statues of cowboys and soldiers.
Surrounding the courthouse and extending north for a block is Prescott's
historic
business district.
Stroll around admiring the brick buildings, and you'll realize that
Prescott was once a very important place. Duck into an old saloon or the lobby of one
of the historic hotels, and you'll understand that the town was also part of the Wild
West.
Phippen Museum
If you're a fan of classic Western art, you won't want to miss this
small museum. Located on a hill a few miles north of town, the Phippen is named after the
first president of the prestigious Cowboy Artists of America organization and exhibits works
by established Western artists and newcomers alike. Also on display are artifacts and photos
that help place the artwork in the context of the region's history. The
Phippen Museum
Western Art Show & Sale
is held each year on Memorial Day weekend.
4701 U.S. 89 N.
&
928/778-1385.
www.phippenartmuseum.org. Admission $5 adults, $4 seniors and
students, free for children 11 and under. Tues-Sat 10am-4pm; Sun 1-4pm.
Sharlot Hall Museum
Opened in 1928 in a log home that once served as the
governor's mansion of the Arizona territory, this museum was founded by Sharlot Hall,
who served as the territorial historian from 1909 to 1911. In addition to the governor's
“mansion,” which is furnished much as it might have been when it was built, several
other interesting buildings can be toured. With its traditional wood-frame construction,
the Frémont House, which was built in 1875 for the fifth territorial governor, shows how
quickly Prescott grew from a remote logging and mining camp into a civilized little town.
The 1877 Bashford House reflects the Victorian architecture that was popular through-
out the country around the end of the 19th century. The Sharlot Hall Building houses
exhibits on Native American cultures and territorial Arizona. Every year in early summer,
artisans, craftspeople, and costumed exhibitors participate in the
Folk Arts Fair.
415 W. Gurley St.
&
928/445-3122.
www.sharlot.org. Admission $5 adults, free for children 17 and
under. May-Sept Mon-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun noon-4pm; Oct-Apr Mon-Sat 10am-4pm, Sun noon-4pm.
Closed New Year's Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.
15
The Smoki Museum
This interesting little museum, which houses a collection of
Native American artifacts in a historic stone building, is named for the fictitious Smoki
tribe. The tribe was dreamed up in 1921 by a group of non-Indians who wanted to inject
some new life into Prescott's July 4th celebrations. Despite its phony origins, the museum
contains genuine artifacts and basketry from many different tribes, mainly Southwestern.
The museum also sponsors interesting lectures on Native American topics.
147 N. Arizona St.
&
928/445-1230.
www.smokimuseum.org. Admission $5 adults, $4 seniors, $3 stu-
dents, free for children 12 and under. Tues-Sat 10am-4pm; Sun 1-4pm. Closed Easter, Thanksgiving,
Christmas, and early Jan.
