Yavapai Heritage Roundup

Smoki Museum: American Indian Art and Culture

The Smoki Museum is located at 147 North Arizona in Prescott. Its mission is to acquire, conserve, study, and interpret art, artifacts and documents pertaining to Native American prehistory and history, with particular emphasis on the Prescott region. The museum promotes the understanding of the region through research, exhibits, and education programs and maintains a library relevant to its collections.

The museum does not house any of the official papers of the Smoki Society. Former members hold these records in their personal collections and have not (as of October 1999) released them for public perusal. Since the Smoki formerly ran the facility, the earliest records of the museum are also not available to the public.

The community, surrounding area, and visitors will benefit from observing exhibits and utilizing this museum's programs and facilities. The museum concentrates on artifacts and has a very strong collection of original photos of the Hopi taken early in the twentieth century by the local photographer, Kate Cory.

Those wishing to conduct research at the museum should make an appointment with Joanne S. Cline, the librarian (520-445-1230).

The following items are located in the Museum's archives. We have listed only those that pertain to the history of the region.

Books
The Smoki Museum has a library, but its books do not circulate.

Documents Vertical files
Section #1: Copies of Cory's articles, mostly from The Border: Monthly Magazine of Politics, News & Stories of the West: many from 1909:
Article about Kate Cory from The Border: Monthly Magazine of Politics, News & Stories of the West: published in section, "Tomorrow and Its Offerings," by Sara Angelia Newton, March, 1909.

Articles Kate Cory wrote for The Border: Monthly Magazine of Politics, News & Stories of the West, published in Phoenix early in the 20th century.

Photo of Cory late in life for Desert Magazine (copy)-article "Cory: Seven Years with the Hopis," by Harold Butcher, Feb. 1951 from Desert magazine: both original and copy.

Several miscellaneous newspaper clippings on Cory and her work.

"Film and Canvas" Photography & Paintings by Kate T. Cory, Through July 31, 1977," published by The Smoki People for an exhibition.

1957 Prescott Evening Courier article on Kate Cory at 96.

Marnie Gaede's article from Arizona Highways Aug 1987, "Kate Cory: Artist of Arizona"

Richard Sims article: "Smoki Museum continues to improve," Prescott Courier, April 27, 1997

Bruce Babbitt. The Southwest Canvases of Louis Akin. Northland Press, 1973: copy of page that deals with Cory.

Section #2: articles and information about Cory
Section #7: various publications on Indians, 8 pieces

Section #10: locally produced article about Smoki, 10 pieces-some originals and some copies of information

Section #11: National Geographic articles on Pueblos and Hopi, various dates, 4 pieces

Section #12: miscellaneous small publications on area, flora and fauna, the first capital, various, 5 pieces

Section #13: miscellaneous publications about Indians, 13 pieces

Section #14: reprints of articles about local ruins 2 pieces, one from 1930s, one not dated but must be from 1940s or 1950s

Section #15: Articles on Northern Arizona artifacts and mining, 3 pieces

Section #17: copies of miscellaneous articles on Indians and archaeology: a few probably from at least the 1920s, others from 1970s-90s: 6 pieces

Section #18: articles and brochures on Smoki, 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, in manuscript and printed form, 8pieces

Section #19: three articles that deal with Navajos

Section #20: local articles on Smoki museum: 1950s through 1990s, not always dated, not always in published form: 5 pieces

Section #21: Southwestern archeology: copies of articles, 1930s to 1990s, 4 pieces

Section #22: articles on Prescott Yavapai, not always dated, 1980s and 1990s apparently, 5 pieces

Section #23: Robert Groom: Prospector & Surveyor of Arizona's First Territorial Capital, personal publication, Melissa Ruffner, June 15, 1991.

Section #24: Copy of Cactus and Pine: Aug 1997 on Kate Thompson Cory and Albert William Bork: Remarkable Westerners.

Section #26: published information on ERA projects of Arizona, 5 pieces, 1980s and 1990s, some are personal publications

Section #43: publications on metallurgy and on the Smoki, 5 pieces

Section #44: Smoki articles (mostly newspaper) 5 clippings

Scrapbooks and Binders

Approximately 1,000 photographs of Smoki activities, in three ring binders
A few, but not all, are identified as to name of Smoki member, activity or date
It is difficult to categorize these photos; many are of snake dances.

Folder of Cory's artwork:
Approximately 100 miscellaneous items, tissue sketches, stencils, pencil sketches

Photos: In separate files Other folders of photos: Stored on wooden shelves (built in cabinet) Smoki box:
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