Tourism

Prescott Powwow Committee, Yavapai-Prescott Indian Tribe, Smoki Museum, City or Prescott and the Granite Mountain Gourd Society are pleased to present the 7^th Annual “Elders Embracing Youth” Powwow at Watson Lake Park on September 27, 28 and 29^th.  This Social Intertribal Powwow is drug and alcohol free, and all ages are welcome to attend.  A $2 parking fee will be collected at the gate, but admission to the Powwow is free.

Hundreds of dancers, from all over the southwest are expected to attend.  On Saturday evening, the Apache Crown Dancers will again appear.  Five food vendors, over 50 vendors will also attend the Powwow.  Camping is available for dancers at Watson Lake Park.  Call for additional details.

Vendor Information:  Sheba at 928-776-4521;

Drums and Dancers:  Toney Largo:928-890-4373

Prescottpowwow@hotmail

True West Magazine named Prescott the third most western town in America. The honor does not come as a surprise to residents and business owners in Prescott. Many folks hold dear the western culture. In fact, western culture bolsters Prescott’s economy.
“Prescott is a wonderful place for Old West fans,” said True West Executive Editor Bob Boze Bell in an article earlier this year. “The town offers so much to do and see. It’s a great example of what a community can do to preserve and share its heritage.”
A time line of Prescott’s history is etched into the pavement on the courthouse plaza. The town was named after an historian, William H. Goodwin. The names of its earliest significant residents are found on street signs, landmarks and building fronts throughout the area. John A. Gurley died before becoming the territory’s first governor. Governor John Noble Goodwin filled Gurley’s intended post. Today, Goodwin and Gurley streets run east and west through downtown on either side of the historic courthouse.
Prescott is home to the World’s Oldest Rodeo, in operation since 1888. The rodeo and parade are the highlights of Prescott Frontier Days, a week-long celebration of Prescott’s western heritage. The celebration kicks off on June 28 with the first performance including bronco riding, tie-down roping, barrel racing, bull riding, and more. The celebration ends on July 4, connecting Prescott’s western cultural to national patriotism each year.
The Phippen Art Museum hosted its 37th Annual Western Art Show and Sale. The event takes place on the Courthouse Plaza grounds in the center of downtown. The event draws tourists and locals to the square to view and purchase western themed art directly from the artists.
“The 2011 Phippen Western Art show and Sale saw an increase in attendance over the last two years, both in artists attending and in the general public. This year we had many first-time participants and visitors. Too soon to call that a trend, but it was very encouraging,” James Ward, Phippen Art Musuem’s volunteer and event coordinator, told Quad Cities Business News.
The importance of western culture to business is undoubtedly tied up in Prescott’s tourism industry.
“…What Prescott offers to tourists is beautiful Northern Arizona scenery and Old West history. Prescott doesn’t have professional sports, beaches, amusement parks, or natural wonders. What we have in abundance, however, is charm,” Ward said.
Shops like Drawn West, a clothing boutique, and eateries like Lone Spur Cafe exemplify the “charm” of Prescott’s western heritage. Tourists can find the town’s oldest saloon on Whiskey Row, a truly western strip of Prescott. The draw of tourists and residents to the square by western themed events creates business for the storefronts around the courthouse.
“We get plenty of foot traffic [from local events], being one of the most historic buildings in town,” reported Neil Grines, general nanager of the The Palace Restaurant Saloon. “When the people are here eating, they get to enjoy the western ambiance.”
Located on historic Whiskey Row, (on Montezuma Street between Goodwin and Gurley Streets), The Palace Restaurant Saloon boasts its own story of western heritage. Customers saved the original bar from the July 1900 fire by carrying it across the street to the courthouse lawn.
“It’s the most historic place I’ve ever worked. I like seeing the joy on people’s faces when they walk in the doors and see the history in the building for the first time.” Grines said. “That’s one of the things I like most about [working here].
Businesses benefit from Prescott’s western heritage and it is available for residents to enjoy on a regular basis. Of course, the western culture has inherent value on its own.
“Something uniquely American and Arizonan is preserved here in Prescott and like all endangered things, it is precious. If my children want to know what a cowboy looks like, or a ranch, or a horse for that matter, they can walk out the door, maybe drive a few blocks,” Ward said. QCBN

With the closing of the Liberace Museum in Las Vegas, and the end of the 42-year-old Dale Evans and Roy Rogers Museum in Branson, Mo., it seems as if the struggles experienced by local museums are not unusual. “Unfortunately when you have a museum focused on personality, it’s too narrow, too generational,” said John Langellier of Sharlot Hall Museum. “Dale Evans and Roy Rogers were great people, I knew them quite well from my work with the Gene Autry museum, but they are known by only one generation. I’m part of that generation. “Even presidential museums have the same problem, although they have governmental funding. I don’t know how often anyone goes out of their way to visit the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum in West Branch, Iowa,” laughed the museum director. “Like Smoki, Sharlot Hall Museum has broader appeal. We have the real thing here – the Real West – that resonates with Europeans as well as U.S. visitors. We have a very strong living history program that brings the museum experience to life. Visitors are looking for uniqueness, a realistic experience, a road less traveled, if you will,” said Langellier, who also sits on the Prescott Tourist Advisory Committee. “We are proactive to bring people in, and keep them here. We’d like to see more visitors use this area as a gateway to Grand Canyon. “Many don’t realize that we are one of the largest museums in the southwest. We are on over four acres with a dozen buildings.”
The museum’s full-time and part-time employees serve visitors from all 50 states. “The museum’s economic impact to Yavapai County is $4 million per year,” said the museum professional, who helped develop the Gene Autry museum and then worked at the Reagan Presidential Library and Museum before returning to Arizona four years ago. To reach a broader audience, the museum uses social media and offers programs aimed at younger audiences. “Thousands of school children come in free of charge. We’re like a three-dimensional history book that enhances education for the children,” said Langellier. “We’ve had to cut back, but we’ve kept our level of service up. Some of us are doing more – we’ve had to become more resourceful,” said Langellier, revealing that his operating budget has been cut by the state. “Our visitation and membership numbers have stayed up.”
James Ward, spokesman for the Phippen Museum, explained how the slowdown of the economy affected planning for their $3.3 million expansion project. “We entered into the capital campaign before the economy went south on everyone. Once the downturn was evident, we discussed whether we should we ride out the storm, or roll the dice and push forward.” Executive Director Kim Villalpando wrote to benefactors in an Annual Appeal, “…your thoughtful consideration has never been more crucial than it is now as we navigate the troubled waters of a shaky economy.” “We decided to use the funds that we had and move forward by breaking the project down into multiple phases,” explained Ward, Phippen’s volunteer and events co-coordinator.
The first phase included 10,000 square feet of new space, including a gallery, museum gift shop and entryway. In the final phase, the library, classroom and studio space in the lower level will be revamped. “We were able to take advantage of the financial climate – the costs of materials and building contracts were at an all-time low,” said Ward. “We made the decision early on that all the contractors would be from the Quad Cities area. We wanted to help other locals that were struggling as well.” Local architects Lynn Van Landingham and Bill Otwell designed the addition. Haley Construction Company is the general contractor. “We continue our capital campaign, and as we get funds, we move forward. In a way, we’re not going to have the ‘ta-da: we’re all done’ grand opening. It was a gamble: were we going to wait for the economy to turn around, or were we going to hope for the light at the end of the tunnel?” said Ward. “It is loosening up a bit and we’ve seen positive signs.” Cindy Gresser, executive director at Smoki Museum, collaborated with other museums during the tough economic times. “Over the past year, we’ve offered a three-museum pass, although we’re not sure we’re going to do that again. We also consult with other museums’ event calendars so we don’t overlap. When events do share a date, we cross-promote.” “
“AARP employees have been a blessing to us,” said Gresser, who volunteered as chairman of the board before she was hired by the museum. “The AARP received stimulus funding to hire folks over 55 to go work for nonprofits. It has been very good for Smoki.”

Sharlot Hall Museum 415 West Gurley Street, Prescott
928-445-3122 http://sharlot.org

Smoki Museum 147 North Arizona Avenue, Prescott 928-445-1230 www.smokimuseum.org