The Amerind Foundation is a museum and research facility dedicated to the preservation and interpretation of Native American cultures and their histories. Its facilities are located near the village of Dragoon in Cochise County, Arizona, about 65 miles east of Tucson in Texas Canyon. According to the Foundation's literature, "Amerind" is a contraction of the words "American" and "Indian".

History

William Shirley Fulton (1880–1964), an archaeologist, established the Amerind Foundation in 1937.

Building

The Amerind Foundation's building was designed by Tucson architect Merritt Starkweather and contains one of the finest collections of archaeological and ethnological artifacts in the country as well as a sizable research library.

Museum exhibits

The museum's permanent exhibits include archaeological artifacts from the Amerind property by founder William Shirley Fulton and later by director Charles C. Di Peso, as well as items found at Di Peso at Casas Grandes, Chihuahua, Mexico and other excavations. The objects include weapons, tools, baskets, sandals, cordage of human hair, and cloth. There are ethnographic items from different indigenous peoples ranging from Alaska to South America. Items on display include jewelry, baskets, weapons, cradle boards, religious artifacts, figurative items, ceramics and pottery, and art.

Art gallery

The Fulton-Hayden Memorial Art Gallery features paintings by 20th century Anglo and Native American artists.

Texas Canyon Nature Preserve

The preserve is part of the 1,900-acre campus that includes the Amerind Museum. More than six miles of trails wind past balanced granite rocks carved by wind, rain and time.

Published works