About

“Huhugam Ki:” meaning the “House of the Ancestors” in the Onk Akimel O’odham language, is a testament to the Community’s history. Constructed of adobe brick in a style familiar to residents for over half a century, its architecture harmoniously reflects the deep connection between the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community and the Sonoran Desert landscape. A spacious, single-gallery exhibit within showcases the rich cultural and historical heritage of the Salt River Community through compelling narratives and artifacts.

What We Have to Offer

• Guided tours – (Please call two weeks in advance to schedule)
• Exhibit gallery
• Traditional outdoor structures
• Museum store
• Public events and special classes – Visit our Calendar
• Accession of collection and archive donations
• Interview opportunities for the O’odham and Piipaash

Plan Your Visit

Exhibit and Gift Shop Hours

Monday: 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM

Tuesday: 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM

Wednesday: 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM

Thursday: 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM

Friday: 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM

We are closed for Federal & Tribal Holidays. Please call ahead to confirm our hours and ensure we are open during your visit.

Parking Information

Parking is available north of the Museum and is free.

Admission

Admission to the Museum is free. However, if you would like to donate to the Museum, you can.

Tours

Join us for engaging tours of the main gallery and the traditional structures surrounding the museum. To ensure availability, we kindly request a two-week notice when booking your tour in advance. We can accommodate small groups of up to 15 people per tour.

For special requests, please provide a minimum of three weeks’ notice to allow us to arrange sufficient staffing for an exceptional experience. While general tours are free, some special requests, such as demonstrations and tasting events, may incur a fee. We look forward to providing you with a memorable visit!

Local Food Options

Round House Café – serving the Community since 2009 the café offers a grill, salad bar, pizza, grab-n-go stations and a Starbucks.

Walking distance from the Museum.

Breakfast: Monday – Friday, 7:00am – 10:00am

Lunch: Monday – Friday, 11:00am – 1:30pm

The Stand – Local favorite serving up delicious frybread sandwiches or tacos.

Approx. a mile from the Museum at 3996 N. Alma School Road, Scottsdale 85256.

Hours: Monday – Saturday, 12pm – 6pm (hours may vary)

Restaurants Within the Community

There are various eateries, within Community boundaries and along the 101 Freeway.

To learn more visit: https://www.discoversaltriver.com/restaurants/ 

Exhibit Gallery

Discover the rich traditions and culture of the Salt River Community in our exhibit gallery, which features a diverse collection of objects, photographs, and artifacts expertly curated by our knowledgeable museum staff. One highlight is our ongoing Veterans exhibit, showcasing the stories of community members and their service throughout various military actions in history. Photography is encouraged, but please refrain from using flash. To ensure the preservation of our artifacts, food and drink are not allowed in the gallery space. Guided tours can be arranged with a two-week notice by contacting the front desk. We look forward to welcoming you to this immersive experience!

Gift Shop

Payment Options:

We accept both cash and card. Please note that we do not offer exchanges or returns

Sales:

Take advantage of our seasonal sales throughout the year, including events like Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Christmas, Back to School, and Valentine’s Day. For more details, feel free to call ahead.

Outdoor Structures

Explore historic structures from the community during your visit to the Huhugam Ki: Museum. The museum grounds showcase examples that reflect the O’odham and Piipaash’s remarkable ability to utilize the natural environment and their technical skills. Be sure to browse the west side of the museum to appreciate these impressive structures up close.

Olas Ki: / Va

Made of arrow weed, mesquite poles and willow branches, this one room structure housed a family during inclement weather and cold nights.  Used also as a storage house, the “Pit house” was dug into the ground at a depth of 12-18 inches. Willow branches were bent toward a center 4-post frame built out of mesquite poles and tied to it. Willow branches were also tied in place around the structure and the house was thatched with arrow weed. To finish, the top was layered with wet earth to dry and keep the rain out.

Ukṣa / ‘iish

This is a windbreak for cooking outdoors. Poles of mesquite or willow, whatever was available, were stood in the ground in a circular pattern. Lateral bands of arrow weed were placed around the poles to create a place where arrow weed, cattail, cornstalks, or other brush were used to keep wind out, These could be as small as four feet high to over 5 feet in height. The fire for cooking was usually placed in middle.

Va’to / Mathkyaaly

A ramada made of mesquite poles and topped with assorted brush. This structure was the main area of occupation for the family. Built at just the right height, so the sun would not walk under it, the vato was where the daily living was done. Open on 4 or 3 sides, the people would cook, clean, prepare materials and sleep under the structure. Babies would be tucked in blanket swings in the corner, supported by expertly tied ropes. A water ola was positioned in the center and wrapped with a wet cloth to keep the water cold by evaporation. Naps were done during the daytime and beds were kept under there for a night of cool sleeping under the stars and the listening to the howl of coyotes in the distance.

Video Tour of the Huhugam Ki: Museum

Cultural Repository

The Huhugam Ki: Museum Repository serves as the central hub for preserving and protecting the invaluable collections and historical archives of the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community. Here, state-of-the-art facilities and professional expertise combine to ensure the long-term care and preservation of our cultural heritage.

Our new, expanded facility provides ample space to house the Museum’s existing collections and accommodate future acquisitions, all while meeting the highest museum standards for artifact storage and environmental control. This commitment to best practices ensures that these vital resources will remain available for research, education, and community engagement for generations to come.

Permanent Objects Collection

The Objects Collection showcases a rich array of three-dimensional artifacts that illuminate the history and culture of the O’odham and Piipaash peoples. The collection also includes both historic and contemporary objects reflecting the unique story of the Salt River Community.

Archaeology Collections

The Huhugam Ki: Museum serves as the dedicated repository for artifacts and associated documentation recovered from professionally conducted archaeological projects on Salt River Community lands.

Contemporary Art Collection

The Huhugam Ki: Museum features a dynamic contemporary art collection, with a primary focus on showcasing the exceptional work of artists from the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community. The collection also includes significant works by artists from the other Four Southern Tribes, enriching the representation of contemporary O’odham and Piipaash art in the region.

Archives Collection

The Archives hold a treasure trove of historical documents, photographs, and other two-dimensional materials documenting the rich history of the Salt River Community. We are committed to preserving these vital resources for future generations. Through careful conservation methods, we ensure the long-term accessibility of these artifacts for community members and researchers.

Currently, we are working diligently to inventory and catalog our collection into a comprehensive online database. This will greatly enhance its accessibility and searchability. While the online catalog is under development, please contact us if you have research interests related to the Salt River Community. We are happy to assist you.

Digital Archives Collection

The Digital Archives ensure the long-term preservation and accessibility of our rich cultural heritage. We house a diverse collection of materials, including:

Digitized Physical Materials: High-resolution scans of photographs, documents, and other historical artifacts.

Born-Digital Materials: Digitally created content such as videos, emails, and audio recordings.

And More: A growing repository of valuable information integral to understanding the SRPMIC’s history and culture.

Contribute to Our Legacy – Help us preserve our shared history! We encourage community members to donate their digital materials or physical items for digitization and inclusion in the Cultural Repository. Your contributions will significantly enhance historical preservation efforts and support future research on the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community. Contact us to learn more about how you can participate.

Education Collection

Explore the rich material culture of our O’odham, Piipaash, and Huhugam ancestors through direct engagement with authentic artifacts. Unlike reproductions, our collection offers a unique opportunity to learn and connect with the past through hands-on interaction (under the careful supervision of our museum staff). Through outreach programs and educational classes, we bring these significant objects to life, providing participants with an immersive and enriching experience of O’odham and Piipaash traditions and culture.

Yearly Events – The Huhugam Ki: provides visitors with a chance to experience the culture and traditions of the Salt River Community. Annual events include the Tortilla Festival in the spring, the Mesquite Pancake Breakfast in the summer and fall, and semi-annual anniversary celebrations for the museum.

Classes – These sessions are offered to enrolled community members, focusing on traditional arts central to the lifestyles of the O’odham and Piipaash. Participants can learn about harvesting, preparing, and serving traditional foods, as well as engaging in arts such as pottery, beadwork, weaving, and chicken scratch dancing. Contemporary artists are also invited regularly to share their expertise in various media, including weaving, silkscreen, and other creative practices.

Demonstrations are conducted during the Second Saturday at the Huhuhgam Ki: event or other special occasions. The museum operates from 9:30am to 2:30pm on these Saturdays. Visitors are encouraged to call ahead to confirm our availability.