Arizona Historical Society Presents 2023 Al Mérito Awards Frank Barrios, Dr. Michael M. Brescia, the Navajo County Historical Society, and Arizona Barrio Stories are all honored for their contributions to Arizona’s history as recipients of the Al Mérito Award TEMPE, AZ  (September 29, 2023) –    The Arizona Historical Society (AHS) is proud to recognize […]

Juneteenth Celebration at the Arizona Heritage Center on June 18, 2023 Brings Community Members and Local Organizations Together The 2023 Annual Juneteenth Celebration will be held at the Arizona Heritage Center in Tempe from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, June 18, 2023 The Arizona Historical Society (AHS) will host their Annual Juneteenth Celebration […]

February 19, 2023 On this day in 1942, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt signed Executive Order 9066, commanding the military “to prescribe military areas in such places and of such extent… from which any or all persons may be excluded.” The term “persons” was never defined as a specific group, but Executive Order 9066 was only […]

On June 19, 1865, Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas, bringing word that the war had ended and the enslaved people of the Gulf Coast island were free. Celebrations of June 19th – known early on as “Emancipation Day” or “Jubilee Day,” and later, “Juneteenth” – began in Texas soon after, spreading to other communities […]

The COVID death toll in the United States has climbed to more than 900,000 lives lost. In Arizona alone, we have lost over 27,000 lives. Each death leaves behind family and friends who mourn the loss of their loved ones. Public memorials are a way for grieving families to come together to share their stories […]

“On Air: Broadcasting the News in Arizona” opens February 25, 2022 at the Arizona Heritage Center in Tempe, Arizona   “On Air: Broadcasting the News in Arizona” opens February 25 at the Arizona Heritage Center in Tempe/Phoenix. Highlighting media history in the Arizona market, “On Air” not only tells the story of Arizona’s growth, but […]

The Arizona Heritage Center at Papago Park is excited to announce a new exhibition featuring the photography of contemporary artist Katharine L. McKenna. During her gap year from college in upstate New York, McKenna spent the summers of 1977 and 1978 volunteering at the Museum of Northern Arizona in Flagstaff. While there, she assisted the […]

The Arizona Historical Society holds thousands of precious objects in the collections. We protect and preserve these artifacts that share stories from Arizona history to show how people lived and worked in their everyday lives. Some of these objects are large and some are very small. How did women create their signature beauty looks in […]

Stuck at home? Looking for things to do? Let creativity be your guide this season with the Smithsonian’s new “Winter at Home” learning guide for elementary and middle-school students. The “Winter at Home” Guide includes 40 pages of educational activities, puzzles, and games for kids and families in English and Spanish. Discover your culinary creativity, […]

October 26, 2020, recognizes 150 years of the Phoenix townsite layout. Did you know Phoenix was once called Pumpkinville? Learn about the history of how the Phoenix got its name and celebrate 150 years of the townsite. October 26th, 2020, marks the 150th anniversary of the townsite layout. While this sprawling city is home to […]