HEARD
MUSEUM
An Icon of Phoenix and Native American Culture
By Norman Hill
R
ecently, when some friends visited, they
In 1926, the Heards purchased LaCiudad
One recent notable addition to Heard is a
were interested in learning more about
Indian ruin, located in Phoenix, which
section saluting Native American roles in the
native culture. Our first thought was The
contained a considerable amount of
U.S. armed forces. Intended as a federally
Heard Museum. Phoenix has many world-
archeological material. From this small
funded project some 20 years ago, private funds
class museums, but the Heard is outstanding
beginning, Heard now provides over 40,000
have now built this section. Native American
with its descriptions of all aspects of Native
items in its 180,000 square feet and eleven
sculptors have furnished statues of soldiers in
American life. Since they had done their
exhibit galleries (comprising over 130,000
battle situations. Numbers are truly startling:
homework and showed us the Heard had
square feet). Over the years, other collectors,
44,000 Native American soldiers during World
three Michelin stars in their guidebook, they
such as Senator Barry Goldwater, have
War II; 29,000 in Korea; 42,000 in Vietnam; and
were pleased with our choice.
donated their works to the Museum.
equally impressive contributions during the two
Its official mission is to educate the public
Iraq wars. The well-known photo of U.S. troops
The Heard Museum of Native Cultures and
about cultures, arts and heritage of Native
mounting the American flag on Iwo Jima includes
Art is nationally renowned for its collections
Americans. Heard considers itself a living
Native American Ira Hayes.
that illustrate the culture, past and present,
institution, not a museum of history. It
of Native Americans, especially in the
includes both artifacts and contemporary
An older section of the Heard Museum is a key
Southwest. Its 1929 founding was intended
art of Native Americans. The Heard now
to U.S. history, although not a positive one. From
to accommodate the mammoth collections
attracts about 250,000 visitors each year and
1879 through 1928, huge numbers of Native
of a wealthy Phoenix couple, Dwight and
is internationally recognized for the quality of
Maie Heard. Their home was located in what
its collections.
is now Museum property.
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FEBRUARY 2014 • LUXE BEAT MAGAZINE