3101 N. Ft. Valley Rd.
Flagstaff, AZ 86001
Phone
928-774-5213 |
About
the Museum
Mission
Statement |
The
mission of the Museum of Northern Arizona is to inspire a sense of
love and responsibility for the beauty and diversity of the Colorado
Plateau through collecting, studying, interpreting, and preserving the
region’s natural and cultural heritage.
The Museum reaffirms the core tenets
of the mission established by the founders in 1928:
- Research – “to increase knowledge
of science and art”
- Collections – “to collect and
preserve objects of art and scientific interest”
- Education – “to diffuse knowledge
and appreciation of science and art”
- Conservation – “to preserve and
protect the region’s historic and prehistoric sites, works of art,
scenic places, [plants], and wildlife from needless destruction”
- Place – “to maintain a museum in
the city of Flagstaff that provides facilities for research and
aesthetic enjoyment”
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Director |
MNA is
headed by Director Robert G. Breunig, PhD. Dr. Breunig joined
MNA as Director in January, 2004. Learn more about Dr. Breunig
here. |
Museum
History |
Founded in 1928 as a community effort by a group of Flagstaff
citizens, the Museum of Northern Arizona (MNA) is a private, nonprofit
institution that was originally established as a repository for Native
American artifacts and natural history specimens from the Colorado
Plateau. The original founders, zoologist Dr. Harold S. Colton and
artist Mary-Russell Ferrell Colton, who were from Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania, were dedicated to preserving the history and cultures of
northern Arizona.
Over its 75-year history in Flagstaff,
MNA has evolved into a regional center of learning with collections,
exhibits, educational programs, publications, and research projects
that serve more than 100,000 people each year. As the only accredited
museum within 150 miles of Flagstaff and the only natural history
museum within 250 miles, the Museum of Northern Arizona plays a vital
role as interpreter of the
Colorado Plateau.
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Museum
Campus |
To
enhance the lives of those who share an interest in and love for the
natural and cultural heritage of the Colorado Plateau, the Museum of
Northern Arizona has created a dynamic and ever-evolving community
where people of all ages, interests, and cultures come to build
relationships with each other on a forested, nearly 225-acre
intergenerational campus.
Map/Driving Directions
The intergenerational campus includes the Museum and its treasure
house repositories for more than five million Native American
artifacts, natural science specimens, and fine art pieces; Flagstaff
Arts and Leadership Academy, a nationally and
internationally-acclaimed charter high school; The Peaks, a
senior living community offering independent, assisted, memory-loss,
and skilled nursing residency; the Colton Research Center; a
residential field camp for Native American interns, college students,
and researchers; Coyote Springs, a single family residential
community;
Branigar/Chase Discovery Center,
The Historic Colton House, an historic retreat center, and
Pearson Hall.
Many of the Museum's 52 buildings are on the National Historic
Registry.
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The Museum
Logo |
Photo by Marc Gaede 1973
Nampeyo pottery jar
MNA's logo is an adaptation of a Hopi design
on this Nampeyo pottery jar purchased by the Coltons in 1912.
Dr. Colton sketched a simplified design from the jar, which had been
created by the legendary potter Nampeyo. (Photo by Marc Gaede, 1973.)
The logo has been somewhat altered throughout
the years, although it remains true to the original design. The
jar is now is MNA's ethnology collection.
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Museum
Governance |
The
Museum of Northern Arizona is governed by the rules set forth in the
MNA Bylaws
and the MNA
Articles of Incorporation. |
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