Arizona Archaeology and Heritage Awareness Month March 2011

Date: February 15, 2011
Contact: Hallie Larsen, 928-524-6228 x274

Join Petrified Forest National Park in celebrating the 28^th Arizona Archaeology and Heritage Awareness Month. There will be Cultural Demonstrators, tours of historic and archeological sites, hikes to special places that most visitors don't get to see, and family oriented activities. Park activities and programs include:

12 pm Daily—Painted Desert Inn National Historic Landmark tours: discover this charming historic inn. Meet the ranger at the inn for this easy walk around the historic building.

11 am, 2 pm, and 3 pm Daily—Puerco Pueblo tour: explore an ancestral Puebloan village. Meet the ranger at the Puerco Pueblo trailhead.

10 am to 12 pm Fridays in March—"Make Your Own Crafts" Workshops: Perfect for families and kids! Take a moment to learn a new craft, such as making your own postcard or creating punched tin art; new activities will be featured every week. Events will be held in the Painted Desert Visitor Center (no fee) and the Painted Desert Inn National Historic Landmark (entrance fee applies).

March 4^th Painted Desert Inn National Historic Landmark 10 am–12 noon "Make Your Own Crafts Workshop—Hand-painted Skylight Panels"

March 11^th Painted Desert Inn National Historic Landmark 10 am–12 noon "Make Your Own Crafts Workshop—Punched Tin Art"

March 18^th Painted Desert Visitor Center 10 am–12 noon "Make Your Own Crafts Workshop—Mini Petroglyphs Plaques"

March 25^th Painted Desert Visitor Center 10 am–12 noon "Make Your Own Crafts Workshop—Postcards and Souvenirs"

10 am to 1 pm Saturdays in March—Sandbox Archaeology: Be an Archaeologist! Get down and dirty as an archeologist for a day. Children will a chance to excavate in a sandbox for artifacts that reflect the long human history of park. Activities are led by a park ranger. Meet at the Painted Desert Visitor Center (no fee).

9 am-5 pm Saturday, March 5—Cultural Demonstrator Otto Lucio of Zuni will share his skills in silversmithing at the Painted Desert Inn National Historic Landmark. He will offer some of his beautiful jewelry for sale.

10 am Sunday, March 6—Backcountry Petroglyph Hike: Lacey Point: Join a ranger for a hike into the Painted Desert to discover some of the best petroglyphs in the park. Meet at the Painted Desert Visitor Center at 10 am, the group will drive to Lacey Point (entrance fee will apply). Bring plenty of water, use sun protection, and wear sturdy shoes. This hike is not accessible. Children over 12 are welcome. We will start accepting reservations after February 20. Please call 928-524-6228 x274. If leaving a message, include your name, how many will be attending, and a phone number.

1 pm Saturday March 12—Puerco Pueblo Walk with an Archeologist: Join park archeologist for a walk and hike to visit a prehistoric site and petroglyphs. Suitable for children ages 8 and above. Meet at the Puerco Pueblo parking lot at 1 pm. 0.3 miles easy hike. Be prepared: appropriate shoes, hat, sunscreen and lots of water. 

10 am Sunday, March 13—Backcountry Petroglyph Hike: Petroglyph Canyon: Join a ranger for a hike in Rainbow Forest to discover some of the best petroglyphs in the park. Meet at the Rainbow Forest Museum at 10 am (entrance fee will apply). Bring plenty of water, use sun protection, and wear sturdy shoes. This hike is not accessible. Children over 12 are welcome. We will start accepting reservations after February 27. Please call 928-524-6228 x274. If leaving a message, include your name, how many will be attending, and a phone number.

9 am to 5 pm Saturday March 19—Living History Demonstration: the Winslow Harvey Girls will tell stories, answer questions, and share their treasure trove of the Fred Harvey Company at the Painted Desert Inn National Historic Landmark.

1 pm Saturday March 26—Historic Route 66 Hike with an Archeologist: Join this moderate-to-difficult, two-mile round trip, off-trail walk (sand and difficult footing) with a park archeologist. Hikers will see some of the historic and prehistoric sites of the Petrified Forest National Park. Suitable for children ages 8 and older. Meet at the Painted Desert Visitor Center.Be prepared: appropriate shoes, hat, sunscreen and lots of water. We will start accepting reservations after March 12. Please call 928-524-6228 x274. If leaving a message, include your name, how many will be attending, and a phone number.

For the entire month of March 2011, the Arizona State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) is coordinating activities throughout the state. Visit the Arizona State Park website page for Arizona Archaeology and Heritage Awareness Month events throughout the state at http://azstateparks.com/find/arch_calendar.html

For information call [phone], 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Mountain Standard Time; or write to the Superintendent, Petrified Forest National Park, P.O. Box 2217, Petrified Forest, AZ 86028; or e-mail the park Superintendent.