ACOMA PUEBLO – There is a sign warning non-residents that Acoma Pueblo is closed, and that is true except for the Sky City Cultural Center and Haak'u Museum. The scenic drive to reach the museum is about 36 minutes from Grants. Whether you choose to take I-40 or take the old Route 66 and Indian Service route 38, it’s well worth the time. Ancient lava flows border the winding frontage road to Pueblo Road until a large brown sign directs the visitor to Haak’u Museum on Haaku Road. Haaku Road takes the visitor back in time to the old west where a working windmill moves water, and huge building-size boulders perch precariously above a paved road that may be the only indication of modern times. The twelve-mile drive on Haaku Road to the Cultural Center and Museum is tantamount to venturing into a desertscape rivaling the Grand Canyon. Prepare for the lookout that offers a wide-angle view of the venerated sandstone monoliths lining the road on the descent into what could be mistaken for another beautiful planet.
The stillness in the air whispers to the visitor, and one immediately realizes that Haak’u Museum truly is “A Place Prepared” as is the meaning of Haak’u. The Cultural Center is a formidable earth and stone building that blends into the serene landscape. Inside, the muted tones help to maintain an air of quiet sacredness. The Pueblo of Acoma is currently closed for in-person tours, but a virtual tour of Sky City is available to anyone. The 20-minute virtual tour takes visitors through a brief history of the Pueblo of Acoma, its battles with Spanish conquistadors, its architectural evolution, and explains that even now residents of Sky City do not use electricity or have plumbed water but instead use propane and oil lamps for light and haul water in.
The museum features handcrafted artifacts including pottery from this 2,000-year-old community. There are displays of silverware dating back to the pueblo’s early days as well as photographs from more modern times and even collectibles from its involuntary relationship with the Spanish.
Operations Manager, Melvin Juanico, said that he is not sure when in-person tours of Sky City will resume. “It’s up to the traditional leaders to give permission.” He added that there were only two full-time staff and himself at the current time, so the cafe is also closed. The museum and gift shop are open. There are also Acoma Pueblo artisans selling handcrafted art work to visitors. Make sure to bring cash as not all of the artisans are able to accept credit cards, and the Bank of Albuquerque ATM machine is currently out of service. The cost to experience the oldest continuously inhabited community in North America is $20 for the full virtual tour with access to the museum and gift shop. To visit the museum and gift shop without the virtual tour, the cost is $6. The hours of operation are Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 9 am to 5 pm.