History and culture - Western Slope
The big archaeology museum near Dolores changed its name in 2018
The regional archaeology museum near Dolores, long called the Anasazi Heritage Center, was renamed the Canyons of the Ancients Visitor Center and Museum in 2018.
Published June 10, 2026 - Last verified June 11, 2026
If you look up the main archaeology museum near Dolores, you may find it under two different names, and that can be confusing. Here is why.
For decades the Bureau of Land Management ran the building as the Anasazi Heritage Center. In 2018 the agency renamed it the Canyons of the Ancients Visitor Center and Museum. The new name ties the building to the surrounding national monument and reflects that it serves as the monument’s headquarters and the main starting point for exploring the area’s archaeological sites. You may still see the old name on signs, maps, and older articles.
The museum sits on Highway 184 between Dolores and Cortez. It holds artifacts and records gathered during decades of archaeological work in the valley, including the large Dolores Archaeological Program, and these collections matter to descendant tribes as well as to researchers.
The grounds themselves are part of the experience. A short paved trail leads up to Escalante Pueblo, a site noted in a 1776 Spanish expedition journal, and Dominguez Pueblo sits near the building. Both are small Ancestral Puebloan structures from the 1100s.
For people new to the county, this is the place to get oriented before heading out to more remote sites. Check the BLM’s visitor center pages for hours, exhibits, and current access, since these can change by season.