Hopi House, Grand Canyon South Rim

Nominated as a National Historic Landmark (1987), Hopi House in Grand Canyon National Park (south rim) has been retailing genuine Native American artwork to tourists for over a century. Its amazing architectural history and native building techniques are still as fascinating today as it was when the house was built.

Using ancient Native American techniques, the Grand Canyon National Park's Hopi House, on it south rim, has intrigued tourists for over a century. In fact, it has been selling varied aboriginal arts and crafts for equally as long.

Fred Harvey Company first opened it to the public in 1905. It was created by Mary Elizabeth Jane Colter, a famed architect of the day, and a person who had a great appreciation for aboriginal architecture. She stuck to tradition and made sure that all work was done by local Hopi tribesmen, artisans in their own right in the use of local wood and stone.

The house was completely renovated in 1995, including the walls and a new roof. With the help of the Arizona Historic Preservation Office and the National Park Service, its authenticity was preserved. As Miss Colter would have wished and approved of, local Hopi joined in the restoration work.

The store carries a broad selection of different types of Hopi and Navajo pottery, rugs, handicrafts, jewelry and kachinas. Its second floor, houses an art gallery, with museum standard pieces that are easy to get if one is willing to pay the prices.

The museum part is open daily during the summer from 9am to 9pm. Admission is nominal and donations are gratefully accepted.