Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to make a reservation to visit the Museum?

Advance tickets are not required. Tickets are available 60 days in advance. General admission tickets are available at the Museum. Explore all free and discounted admission opportunities here.

Where can I park?

The Museum has a 50-space parking lot in the front of the museum for free public parking.

What should I leave in the car?

The following items are not allowed in the museum building:

  • Large bags, luggage, musical instruments, electronics, and oversize camera equipment. Small backpacks are allowed but need to be carried on the front or side of the body, not on the back, to prevent accidental damage to exhibits.

  • Glass containers, jars, aerosol cans, and liquids other than water

  • Food and drink (other than water in a secure bottle or for medical reasons).

  • Any large objects, such as flags, banners, frames, artwork, shopping carts, sporting goods, and recreational equipment

  • Firearms, weapons, or hazardous materials

  • Oversized strollers, jogging strollers, wagons, bicycles, skateboards, roller-skates, rollerblades, ice skates, helmets, and scooters

  • Selfie sticks, tripods, monopods, drones, and professional video equipment, unless previously arranged and approved by the Executive Director.

  • Any other item that could put the exhibits or visitors at risk, to be determined at the sole discretion of the Executive Director.

How large is the Museum?

Average viewing time is 60 minutes, but visitors may stay as long as they wish. The Museum comprises ten curated galleries on a single floor, with rotations from the Museum’s collections and periodic special limited exhibitions.

Do you offer tours?

Yes! We offer tours for both private groups and school groups. Tours must be booked at least 2 weeks in advance.

Is the museum accessible and ADA compliant?

The museum is committed to providing inclusive experiences for all audiences and is compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Accommodations include accessible facilities and entrances, ADA parking at the entrance, and all exhibits are on a single floor. The museum is accessible to visitors using strollers, scooters, walkers, wheelchairs and mobility devices. There are free manual wheelchair loans on a first-come, first-served basis.

Are pets allowed in the museum?

Only Service Animals, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, and service animals in training, are welcome. The ADA defines a Service Animal as a dog that is individually trained to perform tasks for a person with a disability. Under the ADA, Service Animals must be harnessed, leashed, or tethered, unless these devices interfere with the Service Animal’s work or the individual’s disability prevents using these devices. In that case, the individual must maintain control of the animal through voice, signal, or other effective means.

Are visitors allowed to take photos?

Yes–for personal use. For commercial use (i.e. paid photoshoots), please contact our Executive Director about restrictions and requirements.

Can I use an image from your website for a school project or other personal use?

Yes! We encourage users to download images from our website for non-commercial personal or classroom use, without written permission, within the meaning of the principles of “fair use.” Appropriate credit to the Verde Valley Archaeology Center should appear with the image. Images on our site which are credited to another person or organization may not be used without that party’s permission.

How do I get rights to use a VVAC image or other content for a book or for other commercial purposes?

To use any text, image, audio, or video for commercial use, publication, broadcast, documentary, or for any purpose other than fair use as defined by law, you must request and receive prior written permission from the museum. To request permission and/or image reproductions, please contact our Executive Director.

Is VVAC in compliance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act?

The Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) is a landmark human rights law passed in 1990 that transformed how anthropologists, archaeologists, museums, and Native American communities work together. NAGPRA formally affirms tribal sovereignty and establishes a legal framework for tribes to repatriate their ancestors, cultural patrimony, and items with sacred and ceremonial significance. Its passage transformed the practice of archaeology in the field, labs, research institutions, and museums. Throughout its history, VVAC cultivated valuable working relationships with the Hopi, Yavapai and Apache. VVAC curates cultural objects and records originating in tribal  communities and on their ancestral lands. These tribal resources are sources of community pride and are available for cultural traditional practitioners and tribal members to study. Since the passage of updated NAGPRA regulations and protocols in January 2024, VVAC has expanded its tribal partnerships as we continue to seek guidance about best practices for caring for and repatriating collections subject to NAGPRA.

Can I visit the Library & Archive?

The Library & Archives is open to the public by appointment. Appointment hours: Tuesday – Friday, 10 AM – 1 PM. Appointments must be scheduled at least 5 business days in advance. The library collection is on the Yavapai County Library Network at https://www.yln.info.

Do you offer volunteer opportunities?

Yes, you can be a volunteer. Learn about our volunteer opportunities by visiting our Volunteer page.