Built by Kids

 

Most Scout Troops and Scout organizations operate on a shoe string and work diligently to make enough money to get by. However, here a group of Boy Scouts with dedicated leadership have purchased for our community a building, a museum, and a program that attracts interested people from all over the world.

The Museum

It is rare to discover that a museum - with a significant collection like the one you will find in the Koshare Indian Museum - was built by the efforts of boys and one man's vision and intuition. The link between the dancer program and the Koshare Indian Museum is strong. The connection began when the Koshare Dancers were introduced to our area's heritage through art and artifacts as well as by visits from noted artists. This artistic exposure continued throughout their tenure as Koshare Indian Dancers.The dancers gained an appreciation of Native American and Southwestern art and soon began collecting and purchasing Native American art and artifacts of their own.

It was not until 1949 when the Kiva was built that the Koshares were able to display their gowing collection. Over the years, graduating Koshare classes purchased a piece of art to leave to the museum on behalf of their senior class. As word of the Koshares' efforts grew, many - including noted artists - donated pieces to the museum. As it was in the beginning, it continues today, the museum is sustained by the Koshares' love of their Southwestern heritage and financed by their dancing feet.