clarkdale historical society and museum

This is a very small museum, with an odd assortment of items. There isn't an admission charge, so I guess you shouldn't expect much. The museum workers were very nice. We visited while killing time waiting for our train ride. Nothing special here.

Every third Wednesday the Historical Society has a tour of the Clubhouse. It's like stepping back into time. The Clubhouse was built in the 20's and evokes the feeling of the time. Cindy and Jerry, our guides, brought us back the early days of Clarkdale (a company town) in a very genial manner. Jerry told of his early days as a bowling pin setter at the Clubhouse. Cindy was a great source of history of Clarkdale and the Verde Valley. If you planning on a visit to Sedona and want to take a side trip to Jerome, it worth the time taking the left turn to Clarkdale on 89A and visiting this charming hisotic community.

We learned about Clarkdale history and the Clark family from a volunteer (Mr. Wombacher) who was born and raised in Clarkdale. Both he and his father attended the high school where the copper museum is now located. What a treat this was!!! The building housing the museum was the infirmary for copper smelting employees in this company town. This was our second visit. The archives are held in the basement and the displays rotated, so new things can be learned on multiple visits.

A real town from the 1920's on. town square and all. Try to visit the second week of December when Made In Clarkdale Art Show takes place. But any time its really fun to just walk around the quaint blocks and interesting architecture and talk with very friendly people.

This great little museum offers locals and visitors the opportunity to take a close look at Clarkdale’s history. An all-volunteer organization, the museum rotates displays continually, making return trips interesting and educational. The current display features Senator William Andrews Clark, the founder of Clarkdale, and once one of the richest men in the United States!