Valentine’s Day falls on a weekend this year, offering couples a perfect opportunity to enjoy a romantic getaway at the Amerind Museum, the oldest museum in Cochise County. Whether you’re taking a scenic nature walk through Texas Canyon or admiring the artistry of live Mata Ortiz pottery demonstrations, the Amerind Museum offers a one-of-a-kind experience.
Discover the Art of Mata Ortiz Pottery:
The Mata Ortiz pottery tradition comes from the small village of Mata Ortiz in Chihuahua, Mexico. This modern revival of ancient Casas Grandes pottery is thanks to Juan Quezada, who, in the 1950s, recreated ancient pottery techniques after studying fragments left behind by the Paquimé culture—a significant pre-Columbian settlement with a rich pottery tradition.
Mata Ortiz pottery is handmade without the use of a potter’s wheel. Potters employ techniques like coiling, pinching, and smoothing, using fine clay sourced locally. After shaping the pieces, the pottery is burnished with smooth stones to create a glossy finish before being fired in open pits. This process, combined with unique firing techniques using local woods and cow dung, results in stunning patterns and colors. The pottery’s designs feature intricate geometric shapes, fine lines, spirals, and stepped motifs in natural tones of black, red, brown, and cream.
During Valentine’s Day weekend, visitors will have the rare chance to see these artisans in action and purchase their works directly. From simple bowls to intricate vessels, there’s something for every art lover.
Mata Ortiz Pottery Show and Sale
Friday-Sunday, February 14-16, 2025
10:00am-4:00pm each day
Admission
Adults $12.00
Seniors (62+) $10.00
College Students (w/ID) $10.00
Youth (10-17) $10.00
Children (under 10) Free
Group Rate $8.00 by reservation for 10 or more call (520) 586-3666
Blue Star Museum Program Free
Native Americans with Tribal Enrollment Free
Dual Passes to Museum & Trail--Adults $20.00, Senior/students $15, Children (under 10) Free
Frequent hikers can purchase an annual membership to the trails starting at $50/year.
Nature and History Combine on the Texas Canyon Nature Trail:
Under the leadership of CEO Eric Kaldahl, who has been with Amerind for 17 years, the museum has expanded its programs and services, offering new ways for visitors to connect with nature and Native American history. One of the museum’s most popular additions is the Texas Canyon Nature Trail, completed in 2023. This eight-mile trail offers breathtaking views of the canyon and is perfect for hiking, running, or cycling.
Courtesy Photo: Gary Smith
The trail features wayfinding signage and will soon have interpretive signs explaining the geology, flora, and fauna of the area. Throughout the year, Amerind hosts events focusing on botany, geology, and birding. The trail is closed from late April through Independence Day due to fire season, but it reopens just in time for the museum’s 12th Annual Texas Canyon Trail Run/Walk on March 22, 2025.
This event attracts hundreds of participants each year. The 5K entry is $30 for adults and $15 for youth, while the 10K costs $40 for adults and $25 for youth. The 10K starts at 9:00 a.m., followed by the 5K at 9:20 a.m. For more details, visit the Amerind website.
April 26th 2025 will host A long and short cycling event will be hosted April 26, 2025. The competitive race will be 15.8 miles or 7.9 miles. The pleasure ride held after the race, is 7.9 miles. Entry for either event is $45. Last year’s events had around 125 participants. The 15.8-mile course starts at 7:30am, followed by the 7.9 mile course at 7:40, and the 7.9-mile non-competitive Fun Ride at 7:45.
Get more information here.
A Treasure of Native American Culture:
Founded in 1937 by William Shirley Fulton, the Amerind Foundation is a landmark in Dragoon, Arizona. Fulton’s passion for archaeology and Native American culture led him to purchase property in Texas Canyon and transform it into a research center and museum. Today, the Amerind Museum houses one of the world’s largest turquoise and silver collections, along with extensive Native American cultural artifacts.
Eric Kaldahl has brought fresh energy to the museum, expanding scholar programs to focus on Native American and cross-border collaborations with Mexico. The museum draws 15,000–20,000 visitors annually and also offers online programs and events in Tucson.
One of Amerind’s biggest events is its Annual Autumn Fest, a cultural celebration held every October that attracts 500 to 800 attendees. The day-long event features live music and dance performances, public talks from scholars on Apache history, and a marketplace for Native American arts and crafts.
For history enthusiasts, the Dragoon Pioneer Cemetery on the Amerind grounds is a must-see. It’s the final resting place for local settlers, cowboys, and pioneers, offering a glimpse into Arizona’s past. Amerind’s founders, William and Rose Fulton, left an enduring legacy, transforming the small community of Dragoon into a hub for cultural exploration and education.
The Amerind Museum continues to make Dragoon a better place to live, drawing visitors from near and far. For more information on Dragoon’s history and other local attractions, visit DragoonArizona.com.
Local Coverage Provided by Dos Cabezas Coffee Company
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