Issue link: http://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/710070
53 Ancient Indian Nations Prescott is home to the Yavapai Prescott Indian Tribe. The Yavapai roamed this area many years before white settlers discovered Arizona. They are well known for their finely crafted baskets made of devils claw and willow. In tribal culture, the baskets were used for everything from hauling wood to cooking stew and were incredibly resilient. Today, the Tribe has a strong business presence in the community. Several casinos occupy reservation land, along with other businesses that provide jobs for thousands of Prescott residents. Much of the local American Indian history is documented at the Smoki Museum and the Sharlot Hall Museum. You can also see ancient Indian ruins at Lynx Lake, and many of Prescott's hiking trails lead past ancient petroglyphs. in July of each year,Sponsored by the Sharlot Hall Museum sponsors an American Indian heritage celebration at the Prescott Indian Art Market. The event showcases the work of formal and traditional Native American artists. Prescott's Sharlot Hall Museum If you are wanting to learn more about the history of Prescott then a trip to the Sharlott Hall Museum is an enjoyable place to start. The museum encompass a four-acre campus of historic buildings, a modern library and archives, exhibit galleries, an outdoor amphitheater, welcoming gardens and the Blue Rose Theater where original historical plays are presented throughout the year. The Museum's Living History program, featuring interpreters dressed in period clothing and using accurate replica tools and daily items from territorial times, transports visitors to the 19th Century against the backdrop of Museum's historic buildings. The Museum's extensive training program for interpreters emphasizes accuracy and adds a unique human element to the visitor experience. The Museum sponsors four major heritage festivals each year. The Folk Arts Fair (first weekend in June) is a family-oriented celebration of old-time skills and entertainment. The Prescott Indian Art Market (second weekend in July) is one of the West's premier Indian art markets, with outstanding Native American artists demonstrating their talents while displaying and selling their works. The Folk Music Festival (first weekend in October), Arizona's oldest folk music festival, presents the best of Arizona acoustic music. Frontier Christmas on the first Saturday of December allows guests to experience the spirit and simplicity of Christmas past. Sharlot Hall Museum stands proudly as an eye-catching landmark, a focal point of the local community, a model of civic tourism, and a significant contributor to the area's economy. It continues to enjoy iconic status throughout Arizona. The museum is located at 415 W. Gurley Street in downtown Prescott. Call 928-445-3122 or visit www. sharlot.org for more information.