Mohave Museum of History and Arts

07/20/2022

The Mohave Museum is now open on Saturdays from 9am to 4pm with the last entry at 3:30pm. The Museum will be closed on Sundays and Mondays. the Route 66 Museum is open 7 days a week from 9am to 4pm with the last entry at 3pm. The Bonelli House is open Tuesday through Friday 11am to 3pm with the last entry at 2:30pm. All 3 are closed on major holidays.

05/19/2022

Please join us on Saturday, May 28, 2022 at 9:00 am at the Mohave Museum of History and Arts for the presentation of The Dr. Reba Grandrud Collection.

The collection consists of 15 Roy Purcell pieces of various mining and Native American subjects and we are honored that Dr. Grandrud chose the Mohave Museum to house this collection.

Dr. Grandrud will be in attendance for the presentation, as will the artist, Roy Purcell.

Dr. Reba Grandrud has dedicated decades to researching and writing Southwest history. She has contributed to the American West historiography with several publications. Her focus on local history led to her involvement in multiple historical societies and several trail organizations. She served as Heritage Fund Planner and Coordinator of the National Register of Historic Places for Arizona and the State Historic Preservation Office. Dr. Grandrud was also director of the Arizona Historical Society Museum in Papago Park, Phoenix, AZ. In addition to these prestigious positions, she served on the board of the Arizona Women’s Hall of Fame, a group that honors women who have “positively affected Arizona and its communities”. Dr. Grandrud’s contribution to education is evident not only in her scholarship but also in her links to organizations like Westerners International which promotes the rich culture of the American West. Among her many accolades Dr. Grandrud is the recipient of the Sharlot Hall Award for her dedication to the promotion and preservation of Arizona History.

Roy Purcell has become an icon of Mohave County public memory and its interpretation. His work on the original Mohave Museum with his “Mohave Epic” set a precedent for the museum of the symbiotic relationship between history and art. His ability to see art in so many aspects of the desert landscape, led to his painting of the Chloride Rock Murals in the 1960s. Roy’s own experiences in Mohave County, including his mining work in the Tennessee Mine, is evident in the subjects of his work.

His depiction of mines, in various stages of abandonment provide a glimpse at a past quickly fading into lost memory. Thanks to Roy’s efforts, the images are preserved and the discussion of their role in history continues. His attention to Native American culture and the reverence he shows towards it, is conveyed in pieces such as “Dark Anima” and “Journey of Lomaki”. Roy also served as Director of the Mohave Museum from January 1967 to July

05/12/2022

Sharing for the...

Colorado River Historical Society proudly presents…

Larry Adams - Speaker
Retired Firefighter and Chief of Bullhead City Fire Department Recalls the History of the Department

Saturday, May 7, 2022 at the Museum from 3 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

On February 15, 1947 an election was held to decide whether Bullhead City should have its own fire department. The vote was unanimous; 33-0 in favor. On February 24, by order of the Mohave County Board of Supervisors, the Bullhead City Fire District was created. At that time, the fire district covered one square mile in the area of what is now referred to as original Bullhead City. The fire station was located next to the town Chamber of Commerce near the intersection of Main and Fourth Street. The department consisted of 15 volunteer members and the first fire chief was O.C. Buck. There were no fire hydrants in the district at that time and the fire department served the community with a 1948 Army surplus fire truck.

In 1970, the Bullhead City Fire District acquired some federal land on Hancock Road. The building of Station 1 was started in August and completed in November. In 1971 Larry Adams was elected to the position of fire chief, the apparatus was moved to the new Station 1 site, two full time firemen were hired to man the station 24 hours a day, the private ambulance company went out of business, and the Bullhead City Fire Department unofficially went into the ambulance business.

05/11/2022

Currently the Mohave Museum Research Library is open to the public on Wednesdays and Thursdays.

Beginning July 1st, 2022 the MM Research Library will be open by appointment only.

Regular operating hours are Wednesdays and Thursdays from 9am until 3pm.

With advance notice, consideration will be made for appointments outside of regular operating hours.

To make an appointment after July 1st please call Mickey at 928-753-3195 on Wednesdays or Thursdays 9am until 3pm or send an email to [email protected]

You may also leave a message with the operator at 928-753-3195 and your call will be returned during regular library operating hours.

02/06/2022

Saturday March 5th at 1pm...

Mohave Museum of History and Arts...

local author, historian and pod caster Jim Hinckley presents:

"History of The Great American Road Trip"

"From Alexander Winton's ill fated attempt to drive across the country in 1901 to Desi and Lucy's epic odyssey in "The Long, Long Trailer", the great American road trip was woven into the national tapestry. It continues today with the obsession over Route 66, the quintessential American road trip.

In this presentation author Jim Hinckley shares the fascinating stories of Dr. Jackson's epic coast to coast adventure as the first person to drive coast to coast. He also shares the story behind
Emily Post's "By Motor to The Golden Gate", Edsel Ford's trip to California in the summer of 1915, the history of Airstream trailers, and the evolution of Route 66 from highway to icon.

Please feel free to share!!!

02/06/2022

Saturday February 12, 2022 at 1pm at the Mohave Museum of History and Arts...

Carrie Cannon presents:

"Plants of the Mojave Desert and the Traditional Tribal Uses".
Although the desert may seem like a desolate landscape devoid of life, it is actually home to hundreds of unique species. Some are only visible or appear alive for a short time, others grow for hundreds of years, and many are not found anywhere else on earth.
Participants will learn about the many traditional Tribal plants uses, what plant life makes North American Deserts so unique, and how the Mojave Desert stands apart from the rest of America.

Please feel free to share this post!!

We hope to reschedule Gregor McNamee and his presentation on "Desert Rats, River Runners and Canyon Crawlers: Four Arizona Explorers" for a later date. We're sorry for any inconvenience.

02/04/2022

Local resident and author Roger Smith will be holding a book signing on Friday March 4th from 1pm to 4pm at the Mohave Museum of History and Arts. Mr. Smith's book detailing the guano operation at Granite Gorge located at the west end of the Grand Canyon will be available for purchase at the event. There will also be a viewing of the film, "The Treasure of Granite Gorge". You won't want to miss this footage!!

Please feel free to share this post!!

01/13/2022

12/16/2021

January 15, 2022 at 1pm at the Mohave Museum.

Join
Dr. Jay Cravath
for a trip back in western musical history.

Miners, Cowboys and Washerwomen: The Worksongs of Arizona.

In a narrative and musical portrait of working-class music, Dr. Cravath explores its roots and rhythms in our state. From Hopi basket songs, the cotton fields of Chandler and the crooked streets of Jerome, songs were companions to the immigrants who explored and built our state.
Through performance and discussion, these tales, which reveal so much of the nature and
character of a people, are explored.

Free and open to the public!

12/07/2021

Thank you to all who turned out to celebrate the season with us here at the Mohave Museum!! I hope that I can speak for everyone and say that a great time was had by all!! Thank you so much to all the performers for sharing their amazing talents both vocally and instrumentally. It was all quite lovely!! I will get some videos posted soon. 🎅🎀🤶

11/16/2021

Congratulations to local businessman Steve Wagner on winning the Antique Quilt!! Thank you Steve for supporting the Mohave Museum as well as The Sounds of Kingman! We appreciate you!!

10/19/2021

Coming to a parking lot near you... October 23rd... Mohave Museum 400 West Beale... Downtown Kingman... Free is good!!!