Western Spirit is a cultural attraction and museum in Scottsdale that provides visitors with information regarding the transition from the Old West into the place that Arizona is today. By offering interactive exhibits, educational opportunities, community outreach events, and live demonstrations, Western Spirit can help describe the story of how the Greater Western region has evolved over the years.
Learn About the Old West
This sprawling museum features over 40,000 square feet of exhibits, interactions, galleries, and artwork. Located in Old Town, it is easy for both tourists and locals alike to get here via walking, public transportation, or driving.
After first opening back in 2015, this high-end museum has continued to rise in fame. Former mayor, Herb Drinkwater, came up with the concept of the museum and spearheaded the beginning of its construction in January of 2014. Herb’s vision was to help Scottsdale become the focal point and center for the education of the region’s history and legacy, including the past of Indigenous people, Spanish settlers, and those of Mexican heritage.
Drinkwater wanted to create an interactive space that would illuminate artworks, cultural artifacts, important objects, experiences, and presentations to help bring to life the history of the Western portion of the United States. After one year of intensive building, the large-scale museum finally opened, featuring eight exhibition areas, theater, auditorium, sculpture courtyard, museum store, and outdoor spaces.
Not only is this museum one of the most important in terms of Western history, but this museum has featured notable exhibits that have really withstood the test of time, including works by Marjorie Thomas, Charles M. Russel, and Maynard Dixon. The inaugural exhibitions included famous works, such as ‘The Story of Lewis and Clark’, ‘Wil James: Cowboy Artist and Author’, ‘Fine Art of the American West: People and Places’, and ‘Courage and Crossroads: A Visual Journey through the Early American West’.
Today, ‘Light and Legacy: The Art and Techniques of Edward S. Curtis’ is a bustling exhibit that hosts over 900 photographs, objects, and artifacts from Indigenous peoples across the country. Other ongoing exhibits include information on the Lewis and Clark Expedition, the American West in the 20th century, the Hopi and Nampeyo tribes, and Wild West shows.
Plan Your Scottsdale Stay
For visitors who are interested in learning more about the region’s history in an interactive and exciting way, this museum is a must-visit during your time in Scottsdale. Plus, you can pick up a souvenir to bring back home to your friends from the Sue and Robert Karatz Museum Store!
