Specifications:

Administration and Archives: 9,234 Sq. Feet

Library
Reading Room
Archival Office
Archival Storage


Collections Storage and Research: 19,475 Sq. Feet

Artifact Storage
Research and Conservation
Laboratories Multipurpose Classrooms


Museum: 11,729 Sq. Feet

Exhibit Gallery
Museum Store


Total for Huhugam Heritage Center: 40,435 Sq. Feet


Functions of The Huhugam Heritage Center:

Cultural Learning Center
Exhibitions
Education
Community Engagement
Storage and Care of Archaeological Collections
Archaeological and Ethnographic Archives and Library
Research


The Huhugam Heritage Center Cares for:

Archaeological Collections and Records from the Central Arizona Project
Archaeological Collections and Records from Survey and Excavation Projects on Gila River Indian Community lands
Akimal O’odham and Pee Posh Material Culture


The Heritage Center is located on 68 acres of Gila River Indian Community land.

The Heritage Center was built using tilt-panel construction, where concrete walls are formed horizontally and tilted up into place. This economical form of construction will help facilitate future building expansion.

The main gallery of the Heritage Center is modeled after Sivan Vah Ki (known commonly as Casa Grande Ruins National Monument).

From the top of the main gallery, visitors have clear views of The South Mountains, The Sierra Estrellas, Gila Butte, The San Tan Mountains, The Superstition Mountains, Lone Butte, Pima Butte, and the Sacaton Mountains.

The earth berm that surrounds the Heritage Center is reminiscent of the rim of an olla (water jar). The inside of the berm is stepped like Huhugam agriculture terraces.

The central outdoor area of the Heritage Center is patterned after ball courts used by the Huhugam.

The outdoor portion of the Heritage Center contains an ethnobotanical garden that is based on the Community’s relationship with desert plants.

The outdoor kitchen adjacent to the ball court will be used for special events.

The Huhugam Heritage Center shares the site with the control center for the Gila River Irrigation and Drainage District. The three bodies of water that will surround the Heritage Center will be working irrigation reservoirs.

The Huhugam Heritage Center is located on the Gila River Indian Community 1 mile west of Interstate 10 at the junction of Maricopa Road (Exit 162) and Queen Creek Road (Exit 164).

For further information, contact the Huhugam Heritage Center at (520) 796-3500.

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