Storyteller Museum
Gift Shop: 505 722 7534
AMTRAK 1 800 331 0008
Angela's Café con Leche: Mon - Thurs 8:30 am - 5pm; Friday 8:30 - 9 pm - 505 722 7526
Director Ken Hodges: 505 863 4131 - kent@cia-g.com
PR and Projects: Rhonda Ray 505 722 3730 - gcc@cia-g.com
A project of the Southwest Indian Foundation located in the Old Train Station on Historic Route 66 in Downtown Gallup, New Mexico
Museum hours: Monday - Friday 9 am to 4 pm. Closed on weekends.
Native American Dances free and open to the public: 7 pm nightly, Memorial Day to Labor Day
In 1996 the City of Gallup, New Mexico turned to the Southwest Indian Foundation with a request to take possession of the historic and newly renovated Santa Fe Railroad Stateion. The concept for the Cultural Center is centered on the Public Square, where the community, school children, and visitors can gather together for forums, lectures, and celebrate the extraordinarily diverse heritages of our region.
The Gallup Cultural Center was built in 1918 as headquarters for the Santa Fe Railroad. Shortly thereafter a much larger addition, the Fred Harvey House christened El Navajo was connected to the west wing of the building (the old Hotel in this building was demolished in 1950). Still, one can appreciate the old Hotel in this building which was designed in the same style by Fred Harvey's personal architect, Mary Colter.
We invite you to stop by the Center when you find yourself in our part of the world. Here, in addition to the Storyteller Museum and Gallery of the Masters, you will find the Kiva Cinema where we feature documentaries on the area - downstaris is our gift shop that contains many of the items that re found in our catalougue as well as discontinued and other unique pieces. In additino to Galler of the Masters is our coffes shop "Angela's Café con Leche", and a working train station wher AMTRAC stops twice a day! This is one of the best places to experience and learn aobut the fascinating cultures and art of Native Americans in the Southwest.
Residing in the Gallery of the Masters is the Magnificent 12 foot bronze sculpture depicting the Navajo Code Talker by the world renowned artist Oreland Joe. At the unveiling of the sculpture on Navajo Code Talker remarked, "This is the perfect setting for this work of art. In 1943 I caught a train from this building to San Diego to become a Code Talker, little did I think that 60 years later there would be a statue honoring the Marines I served with!"
Once a year renown Native American Artists gather for a special show, and the first weekend of December these same artists gather under the banner of "Reunion of the Masters", "Art of the People" to award, in conjunction with Southwest Indian Foundation, $25,000 in scholarships to student artists in the region.
Storyteller Museum
El Navajo Hotel was famous for its many sand paintings. The museum includes exhibits on silversmithing, pottery, basketry, rug weaving, kachina dolls, model trains, and traditional sandpaintings. Donated by local families.
Angela's Café con Leche
Angela and Ramón Chávez serve all of your coffee, sandwich, and refreshment needs at the Gallup Cultural Center, and are available to cater your private reception in the Center's Gallery of the Masters.
AMTRAK
The tradition of rail travel continues on the Southwest Chief Line with and East/West stop.