tohono o odham cultural center and museum

Beautiful, we had a great conversation with Bernard, it was just a neat place, a long drive but a nice trip

It is worth the time to drive to this out-of-the-way place. Learn the history of the Tohono O'odom people and enjoy their beautiful intricate basketry in a beautiful new museum. Stop in Sells at the Desert Rain Cafe that features the original ingredients of the Tohono O'odhom diet in updated ways. Take time to stroll the grounds of the museum and enjoy the desert.

Well worth the journey! From the Soldiers corridor, to the basket shaped exhibit room, we were in awe of the stories of the Native People, an how even now, how government policy effects the Native traditions. When you go, check out the Desert Rain Cafe!

The cultural center and museum is beautiful, with attractive exhibits on the history, culture, and art of the Tohono O'odham. Beautiful basket designs. We visited in the morning and stopped for lunch in Sells at the Desert Rain Cafe, where you can dine on local Tohono O'odham food, to round out our day. Bring some drinks for the car ride from Tucson, as it does take some time to get to this center, even once you get to Sells.

This is an amazing museum that the Tohono O'Odham nation people must be very proud of. The history and culture of the people comes to life at the museum. It is a little hard to find but it is certainly worth it. I highly recommend this museum.

I've always enjoyed visiting American Native lands and this offering is no exception. To arrive at the Tohono O' odham people's Cultural Center & Museum near the village of Topawa, travel first to Sells, Arizona in the heart of the Sonoran Desert. The GPS coordinates for the Center are 31.800713,-111.8074, located 9.6 miles south of Hwy 86. I recommend you check your onboard supplies because you might need to stock up on food and beverages in Sells, as such items are not available at or near the Cultural Center. Visitors enter through an attractive courtyard featuring traditional Tohono O' odham ranch dwellings. Once inside, you will be welcomed by friendly staff and directed to the Museum halls. Rest rooms, water, seating areas, libraries and conference rooms are available. Highlights of the Museum viewing areas include displays of famous Tohono O' odham basketry and other crafts. A lengthy, grand curving promenade hallway honors the many Tohono O' odham men and women who have honorably and often heroically served in all American military campaigns from the late 1800s to current conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. All graphic displays and artwork are very interesting. Teenage relatives of mine that accompanied our party were fascinated by the exhibits and had many questions... which were "priceless" towards their education and respect for Native Americans. The grand promenade looks out upon new gardens and patios and east towards the prominent and instantly recognizable Baboquivari Peak, the traditional mountain home of Tohono O' odham deities and site of the world's creation according to their belief system. A spacious, peaceful library offers plenty of reading material and an opportunity to contemplate the heritage and culture of the Tohono O' odham, or "People of The Desert".Military service displays and historic exhibits about the Mission Period, when first contact with Europeans occurred give evidence that the Tohono O' odham have always been a peaceful, hard-working people, rarely in conflict with other Native tribes. What also impressed me was the people's adherence to their traditional "Himdag Ki:" or way of life. Overall, the well-appointed and air-conditioned Cultural Center buildings are very modern and architecturally significant. If you guessed that casino gaming income helped fund their construction, you are correct. Also, some observers believe the Center could eventually house many administrative offices and even become the "capitol" of the Nation, similar to what other Native tribes have built. Bottom line: Take time to visit the Center and learn about the Tohono O' odham People. You won't regret the time spent.