Arizona History Museum (Front of building)
The Arizona History Museum is near the main campus of University of Arizona and is located near the center of Tucson Metro area, which is a seven minute walk from the Student Union Memorial Center. The museum holds stories and artifacts of Arizona of a three-hundred year span from the Spanish Period to Statehood; its boundaries have changed tremendously in that time frame. It’s a part of the oldest historical agency’s in the state, AHS (Arizona Historical Society), which was established in 1864 by the first territorial legislature. Attempts were made for preservation of the territory’s history, including stories of those who fought the desert heat and the Apaches, also known as one of the first pioneers. It’s also home to a library, archive, and artifacts collection of over a thousand artifacts which ascribes to the state’s long history. One exhibit that expresses astute dedication to the Shaping of Arizona includes various photos and artifacts from Mexican President Santa Anna, Border Patrol, and Statehood. The transformation of the land, boundaries and borders and how these changes have shaped Arizona with its past, present and future communities ideas and cultures.
Other facts about this Arizona History Museum and AHS:
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Building total square footage of 3,168.
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The largest room being 2,593 square feet.
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It's currently ranked #43 out of 490 things to do in Tucson from Tripadvisor Traveler Rating.
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The logo for the Arizona Historical Society is the alchemist symbol for copper.
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The Arizona Historical Society first used the alchemy copper symbol in 1956, when it appeared on the cover of one of the Society’s first publications.
John Campbell Greenway Statue (1872-1926)
Eusebio Francisco Kino, S.J. (1645-1711)
There are some interactive retelling of the history long since past and even activities for all ages to experience while traveling throughout the museum. An example of this comes from a visit to the 1870s Tucson exhibit where multi-cultural heritages of 1870s Tucson is seen through the lives of three fictional families. Tohono O'odham, Mexican-American, and Anglo. A hands-on exhibit for the children.
Housing 50 known exhibits, though four permanent exhibit:
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Transportation History (Exhibit 11): Looking at the history of transportation of Arizona includes exhibits of wagons, a buggy, and the Stuart Baker car. Arizona’s first automobile arrived by train in 1899. It was a spindle buggy, ordered by a Tucson doctor.
Stuart Baker Car
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Arizona History Treasuries: Some of these treasures are of Spanish and Mexican lineage such as Repousse Silver Tureen(c. 1700s), Candle Sconces from Spanish Silver Mining(c. 1800s), and the Solid Silver Chest (c. 1600s). All within the range of many displayed artifacts that have been preserved for viewing. Thes treasure galleries of (Arizona Historical Society (AHS) are a representation of open storage and more of downtown Tucson’s collection.
Spanish Silvers (incased behind glass)
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Mining Hall (Exhibit 7): Replication of underground mines, working conditions and engineering behind how the uses of heat helped separate (smelting technology), the extraction of metal from the ores harvested from mining excavations. Its walkthrough of an underground mine and Arizona minerals are displayed in courtesy of the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum and the American Mining Hall of Fame. Mining camps sprang up in isolated, mountainous areas near the mines. Back in the 1860’s and 1870’s life was very rough as drinking water was scarce, fresh fruits, vegetables, meat, and ice were seen as luxuries. It didn’t let up the concerns as attacks from Apache, diseases, fires, and floors were everyday threats to life and property. Despite all of this it eventually led to a huge mine payrolls which attracted merchants, tradesmen and professionals. Upon their arrival supplied many goods and services which were not available at the time in the ranching or farming towns. These collective initiates of unity brought electricity, railroads, running water, and ice plants which were all conveniences for the community.
Mining Hall Entrance
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Geronimo (Exhibit 6): Who was Geronimo? Exhibit features a warrior with a spiritual gift which allowed Geronimo to see what would become of his homeland and people. He did what anyone would do when it came protecting what he deemed was his and the Apache people. The famous “kneeling image” was taken by photographer and correspondent for Leslie’s Weekly Newspaper, A. Frank Randall. It also includes his rifle and C.S. Fly photographs. Unfortunately, Geronimo's original refile was taken down for preservation which can only be displayed up to 5 years in a museum at a time. Currently displayed is an 1863 U.S. Springfield rifle that is the same make and model that he owned.
Geronimo "Kneeling Image"
Definitions to help elaborate on some terminology (some not all):
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Apache—Today, the word is accepted as a Southeastern American Indian group, sharing a common language. It is a Zuni Indiaword meaning, “enemy.”
Fun Fact: “Apache” is a name imposed by others upon groups of Indians linked to share a linguistic heritage. Used to identify or categorize them in a manner Spanish, Mexicans, and Americans could understand.
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Band—A permanent sub-division of a tribe, composed of a group of extended families.
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Four Allied Tribes—An association of four “Apache” tribes which united in war to fight a specific enemy.
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Indian Reservations—A tract of land which American Indians were required to live on.
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Manifest Destiny—America’s national policy in the 19th Century, guided by the belief that the right to acquire territory—was created by a divine right.
Featured Exhibit! Drinking Local: A Toast to the Southwest (Exhibit 12 & 13)
Focused on the Southern Arizona alcohol industry, this exhibit explores the includes and changes overtime to the alcohol business. By buying from local distillers, breweries, and wineries, it helps foster industry growth. Also, it saves water and gets specialty products with local ingredients only found in Arizona. There are pictures with illustrated images that show the process of making beer, whiskey, and red wine. Each process is different depending on the alcoholic drink being produced.
An example being from the process of making red wine where there are six steps. It starts with (1) harvesting wine grapes predetermined by a vintner; (2) preparation as grapes being sorted to remove spoiled fruits; (3) crushing which involves the juice, pulp, and skins collected from the grapes; (4) fermentation as yeast and nutrients are added; (5) pressing the freshly-fermented liquid in a press and squeezed; and finally (6) aging process in barrels or tanks from anywhere between a few months to many years.
Other Information:
Arizona History Museum
949 E 2nd St.
Tucson, AZ 85719
520-628-5774
website:azhs.org/tucson
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