A Hopi-Inspired Pueblo that was built from re-purposed materials collected in the desert by Cabot Yerxa is the home of Cabot’s Pueblo Museum in Desert Hot Springs, California.

The 5,000-square foot pueblo is divided into 35 rooms and is 4-stories tall.

History

Cabot Yerxa began construction of the Hopi-Inspired pueblo in 1941 as a place to live and display his collections of Hopi artifacts. Cabot kept the floor as bare dirt and built the pueblo 5,000 square feet, with 35 rooms, 150 windows, 65 doors, and 4 stories tall. The pueblo is surrounded by natural plants that attract wildlife and are devised to keep the museum cool naturally on 160 acres of land. Cabot also built the Pueblo using nearly 100% recycled materials and repurposed materials he found in the desert. The entire structure is completely handmade, including the sun-dried brick that was created on site in the courtyard.

Cabot Yerxa continued to live and work on the home and museum until his death in 1965 when he was 81 years old. He was best known for his work as a human rights activist and his discovery of the hot mineral springs of Desert Hot Springs and the Mission Springs Aquifer. He was described as a visionary, writer, architect, idealist and entrepreneur depending on how one knew him. Cabot was highly involved in the Masonic Order and founder of the Theosophical Society in 1947 in Desert Hot Springs as well. Besides being a world traveler, Cabot Yerxa went to school at the Cademie Julian Art School in Paris, France.

Cabot’s Pueblo Museum is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Tours of Cabot’s Pueblo Museum

Guided tours are offered of the Pueblo Museum and hours vary according to the seasons. More tours are offered during the fall and winter months when the weather is milder. Tours are limited to 12 people and tickets are sold on a first come first serve basis.

Groups tours for students can be specially organized with educators through a Group Tour Coordinator by contacting the museum by phone.

Waokiye was created by Peter “wolf” Toth in May of 1978 and was dedicated in a ceremony on May 20th. The Name means “Traditional Helper” in Lakota Sioux Language. The artist was a Hungarian immigrant who started the project The Trail of Whispering Giants as a way to highlight the plight of the American Indians and their struggle for Human Rights in their own land. This wood sculpture is the 27th in the series of more than 70 statues through the United States, Hungary, and Canada. Waokiye is carved from a 750-year-old Sequoia Redwood log that was donated from the California Division of Forestry for the project. The entire statue stands more 40 feet tall and weighs more than 20 tons.

Special Events

Cabot’s Pueblo Museum is dedicated to raising awareness of the Hopi culture, and other Native American tribes in the region. There are many cultural events that take place on the grounds of the museum including artist open houses, Hopi Kachina Carvers, Mata Ortiz Master Postter, Oaxaca Artists, and other events for the community that are outlined on the website events calendar.

Evening At The Pueblo is the annual fundraising gala event that Is held at the pueblo each year. This event is closed to the public and requires advanced ticketing. The event includes a raffle, impressive dinner, and entertainment.

Shopping

The Trading Post is a unique shop at Cabot’s Pueblo where visitors can purchase gifts and collectibles. There is a wide assortment of handmade jewelry and pottery, souvenirs, educational toys and games, clothing, paintings and more. There is also a Book Nook with topics ranging from Nature to cook books, adult coloring books and children’s books, history on Cabot, and the Pueblo Museum.

The Gallery also showcases the Mata Ortiz Pottery collection that is for sale. This small village from the Chihuahua state along the Palangas River in Mexico has a population of only 2,000 people but is known for their pottery inspired by the ancient style of Paquime. The Gallery and Trading Post has also recently started featuring Oaxacan Wood Carvings which come from the indigenous and peasant communities in Oaxacan. These carvings are used to create masks that are used in cultural festivals and folk art in Mexico. These carvings are also popularly used as toys and in figurines such as dolls.

Educational books and DVDS can also be ordered online through the Cabot’s Pueblo Museum website. A gallery with photographs of pieces of the collections is also available for online viewings.

67616 E. Desert View Avenue, Desert Hot Springs, CA 92240, Phone: 706-329-7610, website, Map

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