The Mohave Museum of History and Arts in Kingman, Arizona, is marking its 50th year this week — one of the few museums near Route 66 that predate its decline as a U.S. highway.
The Kingman Daily Miner published a story about the history of the museum at 400 W. Beale St., which was formally dedicated April 27, 1968.
A few tidbits:
- The museum remains relatively unchanged, save for an expansion in 1979. It was built from concrete block, salvaged red brick and redwood.
- It originally was called the Mohave County Pioneer Historical Society Museum, but the name changed shortly before it opened.
- Original curator and artist Roy Purcell remains the driving force behind the museum and its exhibits.
- The nonprofit museum leans heavily on an army of about 40 volunteers.
A Wikipedia article contains more information about the museum’s contents:
The collection of dioramas, murals and many artifacts show development from prehistoric times to the present. It displays also paintings, photographs, sculptures and crafts in the art gallery and carved turquoise mined in the Kingman area. The Hualapai Native American Room contains a full-size wickiup brush shelter, pottery, baskets, and other crafts. The museum has also a pipe organ used in concerts, and a special exhibit on local-boy-turned-movie-star Andy Devine. Outdoor exhibits display ranching and mining machinery, storefronts, a mine replica, and a 1923 railroad caboose. The museum’s library collects documents, manuscripts, maps, and photos about Mohave County, Arizona and the American Southwest. A mining exhibit was added in 2008, a ranching exhibit added in 2010. The museum also includes an Andy Devine exhibit, a local boy turned movie star in the 1930s known for his funny voice. Outdoor exhibits include murals, mining machinery and a 1923 wooden railroad caboose
To celebrate the anniversary, the Hualapai Tribe will give presentations from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday from its cultural center, including special speakers and dancers. Purcell and other former museum directors also will give presentations, the newspaper reported.
The museum is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays and from 1 to 5 p.m. Saturdays. A ticket costs $4, which also allows entry to the Mohave Museum, Route 66 Museum and the Bonelli House. For seniors, tickets cost $3, and children younger than 12 are admitted free. It’s also open Sunday by appointment but closes on major holidays.
The Mohave Museum of History and Arts also offers memberships that provide free admission for members and their out-of-town guests, a 10 percent discount in the gift shop, a monthly newsletter and invitations to special events.
The museum sits about a block north of Andy Devine Avenue, aka Route 66.
(Image of the Mohave Museum of History and Arts in Kingman, Arizona, via Wikimedia Commons)
