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Chaplin Mesa Archaeological Museum

The Chapin Mesa Archaeological Museum is situated on Chapin Mesa in the Mesa Verde National Park, in the U. S. state of Colorado. It is located merely 20 miles (32.1 km) from the Park entrance and nearly 5 miles (8.05 km) from the Far View Visitor Center. The Museum holds a wide range of artifacts that were discovered in and near Mesa Verde. It is through artifacts and impressive exhibits that the Museum illustrates the history of the Ancestral Pueblo People and reconstructs their daily life. The main exhibits include a chronology of Ancestral Puebloan culture, prehistoric artifacts, and several other items related to the Park.

The Chapin Mesa Archaeological Museum is also the best place to commence any tour of Mesa Verde. Besides depicting Ancestral Puebloan life, the dioramas at the Museum also offer many of the answers to the Junior Ranger activity sheets. The Museum also features a 25-minute orientation film that offers an exceptional overview of Anasazi and Park history. This film is shown every half hour. Also, free self-guided tours of Spruce Tree House are offered three times daily in winter, spring, summer, and fall. The Spruce Tree House cliff dwelling, situated in the Canyon below, can be reached by a short walk from the Museum. It is open to the public throughout the year and provides the explorers an opportunity to climb down into an excavated Kiva.

Other facilities offered by the Museum include a bookstore, water, restrooms, gift shop, post office, and a snack bar. The rest rooms are situated near the car park. The Petroglyph Point and the Spruce Canyon Trails also start at the Museum. The Chapin Mesa Archaeological Museum is a great learning experience and is worth a visit during your stay in Colorado.

• Mailing Address: Mesa Verde National Park, PO Box 8, Mesa Verde, CO 81330-0008
• Headquarters Telephone: (970) 529-4465
• Information: (970) 529-4465
• Hours: Early Apr - early Oct, 8 AM - 6:30 PM; early Oct - early April: 8 AM - 5PM

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