Petrified Forest Museum Association (PFMA) is the official non-profit cooperative partner of Petrified Forest National Park. As an independent association, all of our activities are focused on supporting the park in a myriad of ways.
We have served in this capacity since our formation in 1940 and have grown from initially supporting park museum collections into research, publishing, education, interpretation, cultural demonstration programs, park publications and trail guides, development of park-specific materials, outreach and staffing assistance, to name a few.
Among recent efforts, our association has developed and is operating a Field Institute that provides unique opportunities for visitors to interact more deeply with aspects of the park than would be possible in a typical day trip to the park.
Through our publishing program, PFMA has developed and published several titles specific to Petrified Forest National Park and beyond, utilizing the latest information and finds from ongoing research at the park.
Dawn of the Dinosaurs, our most recent title, delves into the world-class Triassic Era deposits exposed and preserved at Petrified Forest National Park, as well as deposits exposed worldwide.
It was coauthored by Christa Sadler; Dr. William Parker, Chief of Resource Management at Petrified Forest National Park; and Dr. Sidney Ash, a long-term researcher and contributor to the park, and author of the park’s principal book, Petrified Forest — A Story In Stone.
Since the 1990s, PFMA has offered a variety of Cultural Demonstration programs at the park, giving visitors the opportunity to meet and interact with regional neighboring cultural artisans, view crafts as they are being created, purchase finished crafts by the artist on-site, and learn more about the culture and crafts of the artisans.
Visit www.petrifiedforestbookstore.com to see upcoming programs; as always, our schedule is subject to the health, weather, or other conditions beyond our control.
We are proud to be active participants and supporters of Petrified Forest National Park and its initiatives to expand park services, education, interpretation, services and opportunities for the visitors to park.