Native American Heritage Pathway & Gardens

The Center's property in Camp Verde contains a prehistoric pit house village below ground. The initial investigation identified eight to ten pit house structures. Subsequent surveys have revealed that there are twenty archaeological features, mostly pit houses but extramural hearths (fire pits outside a dwelling) as well. They are arranged in an arching pattern along the east and north end of the property. One pit house was excavated. The Center decided to leave the majority of the property undeveloped and designated as a Native American Heritage Preserve with an educational pathway and traditional use garden.

The Center received a grant from the National Park Service River, Trails and Conservation Program in 2016 that provided expert assistance in determining the location of the pathway. Since the site is understood to have been a Hopi ancestral site, Hopi Tribe representatives were invited to review the plans for the path before construction. They visited the site and approved the trail location. The pathway is part of the Verde River "String of Pearls" system that that runs along the river.

PATHWAY AND GARDEN OPEN HOURS VARY. The pathway and gardens are located at 330 N. Homestead Parkway in Camp Verde, not at the Museum.

About the Native American Heritage Pathway

  • Verde River String of Pearls sign at Verde Valley Archaeology Center, featuring details about the Native American Heritage Pathway, including an Ancestral Garden, Classroom, Archaeological Site information, and Pathway Exhibits with a scenic background.

    Welcome

    The primary purpose of the pathway is to provide an educational opportunity for members, residents, visitors, and children to learn about the people who lived on this property as early as 540 CE. This Welcome sign was sponsored by Ruthmary Lovitt.

  • Informational poster on Simonton Ranch Archaeological Investigation featuring details about pit houses. Includes a map, excavation and reconstruction photos, and text about archaeological findings and pit house living from 1050 to 1150 A.D. Describes surrounding archaeological site etiquette and historical significance. Sponsored by Mary Byrd.

    Pit House

    This exhibit describes the construction methods of the pit house that was excavated. The Center will be seeking a grant to construct a replica pit house on this spot. The exhibit is sponsored by Mary Byrd in memory of Harris Byrd and the bench is sponsored by Nils and Janet Anderson.

  • Informational panel about Sinagua village life, covering topics such as village structure, farming, gathering, trade, and pottery styles in the Verde Valley. Includes text on Sinagua settlement, pit house excavations, agriculture, local trade resources, and pottery details. Various images of artifacts and maps are present.

    Village Life

    This exhibit describes the structure of this pit house village - how the dwellings were arranged as well as a description of the artifacts found that tell the story of trade with neighboring people. The exhibit is sponsored by George and Carole Dvorak and the bench is sponsored by Bridget Highfill.

  • Informational display about wildlife in the Verde Valley region, detailing the presence and use of big game by Paleo-Indians, Archaic and Sinagua wildlife, and current wildlife like coyotes and deer. It also discusses the gathering of wild foods and tools made from animal parts. Includes images of animals like a woolly mammoth, deer, bears, and bobcats. Sponsored by Joseph and Sonya Landholm.

    Wildlife

    The excavation of the pit house included various animal bones. This finding together with historical information, presents the wildlife that these people would have experienced. This exhibit is sponsored by Joe and Sonya Landholm and the bench sponsored by Mary Byrd in memory of Harris Byrd.

  • Educational panel on hunting tools used by Paleo-Indians and Sinagua people, including the atlatl, bow and arrow, rabbit sticks, nets, and snares. Illustrations and descriptions highlight their use in hunting large and small game like deer, elk, rabbit, and squirrel. Sponsored by Dr. F. Dennison and Janet Shaw.

    Hunting

    The Paul Dyck Collection was from a site in nearby Rimrock, less than two miles from this site. The collection includes a variety of snares, nets, and bows and arrows that would have been used in their hunting techniques. This exhibit is sponsored by Dr. and Mrs. Dennison Shaw, Jr. and the bench is sponsored by Mike and Barbara Cadwell.

  • Informational panel about Yavapai-Apache Wickiup, including text on the Yavapai and Apache tribes, construction of wickups, and photos of a completed wickiup and its frame. Includes information about the Yavapai-Apache Nation and its Great Seal.

    Yavapai-Apache

    Most Yavapai and Apache Indians lived in wickiups. Wickiups are small round or cone-shaped houses made of a willow frame covered with brush. While there is no direct evidence that either the Yavapai or Apache lived on this property, it is likely that the Yavapai associated with the people of this pit house village. This exhibit is sponsored by George and Pat Witteman and the bench is sponsored by Todd and Heidi Bostwick.

  • Informational poster titled "6 - The Heritage Garden: Mixing Old with New," detailing native plants used in traditional agricultural practices in the Verde Valley.

    The Garden

    The Center maintains a garden of traditional Native American plants. This exhibit is sponsored by Donalyn Mikles of the Kling Family Foundation. The garden benches are sponsored by Susan and Avrum Cohen, Jim and Elaine Worthington, and Stan and Sue Loft. For more information about the Garden CLICK HERE.

  • Informational poster titled "7-Prehistoric Farming: High Desert Farmers of the Southwest" discussing early farming methods by the Sinagua of the Verde Valley.

    Prehistoric Farming

    This part of the Heritage garden features corn, squash, beans and cotton, typically grown in this type of village. This exhibit is sponsored by Dean and Kathi Olson.

  • An informational poster titled Essential Equipment of the Ancient Farmer' highlighting tools like mano and metate, digging stick, hoe, and agave knife. The poster includes historical context, usage descriptions, and images of stone tools such as mortars and metates.

    Prehistoric Tools

    Prehistoric farmers used a variety of tools such as metates and manos to grind corn and other items. This exhibit is sponsored by Larry Watkins.

The Native American Heritage Gardens

The Verde Valley Archaeology Center maintains a Native American Heritage Garden that represents plants that were important to the prehistoric and Native American people of the Verde Valley.  These plants include various domesticated foods eaten by the ancient and historic inhabitants of the region, as well as wild or non-domesticated plants that were collected from the surrounding area and used for food, medicine, containers, dyes, cordage, architectural elements, and other purposes.  Examples of some of the domesticated plants to be grown will include corn, different kinds of beans, squash, gourds, and cotton. Some of the wild plants will consist of wild tobacco, amaranth, beeweed, agave, yucca, sunflowers, and others.

The garden is a place where visitors can see up close the plants used by the Native peoples of the Verde Valley.  Center members and others will have opportunities to learn about and participate in the growing of domesticated plants and collection of wild plants used on a daily basis by the Sinagua, Hohokam, Yavapai and Apache.  This learning experience will foster an understanding of how Native peoples used their farming skills and knowledge of their surrounding environment to provide a sustainable lifestyle for many centuries.

Donations to support the Garden are always needed and welcome. To make a garden donation CLICK HERE. Thank You!

Close-up of a white cotton flower with its delicate petals and central stamen, surrounded by leaves and a partially closed pink flower bud.
Thriving green plants in a garden bordered by rock pillars and a wire fence, with a hose and a bench in the background.
Close-up of a white flower with a central cluster of small yellow stamens, surrounded by green leaves and a partially visible pink flower bud.
Close-up of a sunflower with a yellow butterfly perched on one of its petals. The sunflower has vibrant yellow petals and a dark brown center. Green leaves and metal fencing are visible in the background.
Close-up of a flowering amaranth plant with deep red, purple, and green leaves and clusters.
Man preparing rows in a garden for planting with a hose nearby, surrounded by sparse vegetation and trees.
Yellow squash blossom and young squash on a vine with green leaves, growing near a wire fence and rocks.
Sunflower behind a wire fence in a garden with trees and mountains in the background.
Vegetable garden with various plants, including sorghum and leafy greens, surrounded by wire fencing; clear sky above.
Aerial view of a desert landscape with a circular garden surrounded by rocks and plants. There are pathways, trees, and two small buildings nearby.
A small field of corn plants with a dry, arid landscape in the background. The corn is supported by tripods and surrounded by a few wooden stakes.
Group of five people outdoors with trees and clear blue sky.
Nine ears of blue corn labeled 'Hopi Blue 2nd Mesa' on a green wooden surface.
Dried corn plants in a field, each labeled with numbers 1 to 4, under a clear blue sky.
Hopi blue corn cobs and labeled paper bag on a green wooden surface.
Small ears of corn placed on a paper with orange stripes and the number one, on a green wooden surface.
Person in a garden holding large gourds.
Group of people gardening, raking soil around trees with protective covers in a dry landscape.
Garden area with rocky borders and stone columns, people working in the soil, under a cloudy sky.
Metal gate with floral cutout design, stone walls, and padlock