Arizona Historical Society Awarded Re-Accreditation from the American Alliance of Museums The Arizona Historical Society (AHS) has achieved accreditation by the American Alliance of Museums (AAM), the highest national recognition afforded the nation’s museums. Accreditation signifies excellence to the museum community, to governments, funders, outside agencies, and to the museum-going public. The Arizona History Museum […]

The Arizona Historical Society (AHS) announces the departure of Executive Director W. James Burns after three years with the agency. Burns will assume the role of Executive Director of Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West in the fall of 2021. Burns’ departure from AHS will be coordinated to ensure a smooth transition to new […]

A new coordinator, new rules, a new rubric, and a virtual contest? This National History Day (NHD) cycle couldn’t have been more different if we’d planned it! Despite all that, Arizona students had a strong finish in the National History Day Contest this year. The theme for 2021 was Communication in History: The Key to […]

“Ready to Launch: Arizona’s Place in Space” opens May 20, 2021   Start the countdown! “Ready to Launch: Arizona’s Place in Space” is coming to the Arizona History Museum in Tucson. This new exhibition investigates the impact that the people, landscape, and universities in Arizona have played in space exploration. “Ready to Launch: Arizona’s Place […]

And that’s a wrap on NHDAZ 2021! Despite a challenging year, Arizona’s students had an impressive showing, as always! Students tackled this year’s theme, Communication in History: The Key to Understanding, with gusto, choosing diverse topics that covered World War II, racism and racial violence in the United States, women’s political and civil engagement, ancient […]

Welcome to the Arizona Historical Society In the months before the pandemic hit, the Arizona Historical Society was creating a video project that showcased the power of Arizona history through our museums, programs, and exhibits at AHS properties across the state. As with many projects, events, and gatherings, we put the video on hold until […]

The Arizona Historical Society is honored to announce the receipt of the Migrant Quilt Project into its collections. Founded in Tucson in the mid-2000s, The Migrant Quilt Project memorializes the stories of migrants who have died seeking refuge in the United States. It is a collaborative effort between artists, quiltmakers, and activists to document the […]

During these historic times, Arizona students are making history by sharing the past… one project at a time. The Arizona Historical Society (AHS) congratulates the 58 Arizona students who competed against thousands of students all over the world at the National History Day® (NHD) Virtual Contest June 14-20, 2020. Middle school (junior division) and high […]

For press/media inquiries, please contact Tawn Downs, Vice President of Marketing, Communications, and Revenue Enhancement. Tom Zoellner Wins Sonnichsen Award (March 5, 2020) Still Marching: From Suffrage to #MeToo Exhibition Opens March 5 at the Arizona Heritage Center at Papago Park (February 25, 2020) Current State, A New Exhibition Featuring Artist Thomas “Breeze” Marcus Opens November […]