 A
New Beginning
In 2003, Eastern Arizona College officially dedicated its
new Student Services Building designed, in part, to display the Mills
Collection, a significant assortment of ancient Native American pottery
and other fascinating and colorful artifacts, donated to the College
by Jack and Vera Mills of Elfrida, Arizona.
Origins
The Eastern Arizona College Foundation originally acquired the Mills Collection
in 1983. Because their roots were in southern Arizona, the Mills family offered
the collection to EAC for considerably less than they could have received
from other sources (they actually turned down two offers from European museums).
Mr. and Mrs. Mills wanted the artifacts to remain in southeastern Arizona
as valuable documentation of the ancient cultures and crafts of the people
who once inhabited this area.
The Collection
The Mills Collection contains artifacts from what is known as the Salado Period
(1250 A.D. to 1450 A.D.), and is an extensive display of the culture and
lifestyle of the people who inhabited this region long ago.
The artifacts were originally displayed in EAC’s Museum of Anthropology
from 1984 to 1995. “We believe the collection to be ‘world
class’,” says EAC President, Mark Bryce.
Eastern’s new Student Services Building was designed with the
Mills Collection in mind. Built-in cabinets lining the walls and hallways
of the lower floor contain artifacts ranging from arrowheads to jewelry.
Freestanding cases filled with intricate pottery, greet visitors as they
come into the building’s main entrance. The colorful and intricate
Mills Collection, gives the new building a sense of history, geography,
and art all rolled into one.
Eastern Invites You to Come Explore
Along with its primary function of serving the needs of students, the
Student Services Building has become Eastern Arizona’s newest Anthropological
Museum. The public is invited to come and view the Mills Collection during
regular business hours, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday, located on
the first floor of the new Eastern Arizona College Student Services Building,
615 N. Stadium Ave. Thatcher, Az.
For large groups, or if you have any questions about the Mills Collection,
call (928) 428-8320. |
