-
Sky City, Acoma Pueblo, NM with Enchanted Mesa in the background Photo courtesy of Lee Marmon
ACOMA, NM – The Sky City Cultural Center & Haak’u Museum, a popular, yet hidden gem on the Pueblo of Acoma has enthralled visitors for over 50 years.
How can any tourist site be both hidden and popular? This cultural center is located twelve miles from the Interstate 40 offramp, exit 108, and the Dancing Eagle Casino. It sets below the Sky City Mesa, the ancient, original dwelling place of Acoma Pueblo. People have not only found this fascinating location, but they flock to it.
Acoma Pueblo generously offers its visitors a tour of their ancient dwelling place. Scholars agree that the mesa has been occupied since 1200 A.D. There is evidence, although inconclusive, that is supported by archaeological digs indicating that Acoma’s Sky City was inhabited before the time of Christ.
In 2000 the museum suffered destruction by fire but is now housed in the elegant structure located beneath the Sky City Mesa, ancient home of the Acoma Pueblo people. After viewing the trilevel adobe homes atop the mesa, tourists can relax and have lunch in Yaak’a Café. Yaak’a is the Keresan word for corn in the language still spoken in Acoma and its pueblo neighbor, Laguna.
After the tour of the mesa, the Haak’u (A Place Prepared) Museum is the “must see” of the cultural center. It offers displays of historic items from the pueblo’s history, an exhibit of their private pottery collection, and a smaller gallery with paintings, sculptures, and in April, a new textile exhibit loaned from Denver Art Museum will be opening.
A tour by a very knowledgeable guide, Brandon Vallo, gave an overview of the museum display case exhibits. A few of the items on display are: 1 A pottery collection with nature designs of rain, sun, and clouds; vases and open seed jars, some with parrot designs, an influence from Chaco times brought to the pueblo by travelers from Mexico.
2 Books on Pueblo history.
3 Spanish Influences: mule pack saddle, school bell, spurs. The people were not allowed to own mules or horses when they were under Spanish rule for fear of rebellion.
4 Farmwork tools for oxen and hogs.
5 A room with a video dedicated to Lucy Lewis, a respected potter.
6 Carved doors and beams, a skill taught to natives by the Spanish.
The center also offers the Gaits’i (Beautiful) Gift shop. The charming gifts offered include Jewelry, books, stationery, clothing, and locally related items.
Like most businesses, the Sky City Cultural Center was affected by the COVID 19 pandemic and closed its doors, partially reopening in July 2023. Since January of this year the center has been fully open, offering tours, the gift shop, museum, and serving meals at the café.
Winter hours are: Thursday through Sunday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Summer hours, beginning in April will be: Wednesday through Sunday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.