Welcome to the Arizona Heritage Center
An interactive museum with permanent and changing exhibits, the Arizona Heritage Center hosts lectures, workshops, community and youth programs, and other special events throughout the year. The facility is also home to the Arizona Historical Society library and archives, a research destination for schoolchildren, family historians, and academics.
Hours
Monday – Thursday: 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Friday & Saturday: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Closed on Sundays and Federal Holidays.
For Library Hours, visit Library and Archives
Admission:
AHS Members: Free
General Admission: $12.00
Seniors (65+): $10.00
Students (14+) with ID: $10.00
Youth (7-13): $6.00
Children 6 and younger: Free
Ask about free admission for veterans.
The Arizona Heritage Center is committed to providing a comfortable environment for all visitors to enjoy the facilities.
Located at the edge of Papago Park in Tempe, near the Loop 101 and Scottsdale Road, our central location is convenient to the metropolitan Phoenix area
Public Transportation
Valley Metro bus service serves the area with several stops near the museum. For more information visit https://www.valleymetro.org/.
City of Tempe Orbit also serves the area, and has a bus stop adjacent to the museum on Weber Street near College Ave. For more information, visit the Orbit website at https://www.tempe.gov/city-hall/public-works/transportation/bus/orbit.
Passenger Unload/Load Zone
There is a 15 minute loading zone at the curb in front of the entrance to the museum. Parking is not permitted in this area.
Parking
There is plenty of free parking at the museum, including numerous handicapped parking spaces. Our handicapped visitors may use the wheelchair accessible ramp located to the left of the stairway entrances.
Wheelchairs
A wheelchair is available free of charge in a first come, first serve basis. Please ask at the lobby front desk. The museum offers accessible entrances, galleries, elevators, and bathrooms for wheelchair use.
Service Animals
Registered service animals are welcome to the museum.
There are no events on the calendar at this time.
January 23, 2019 - December 31, 2019
This exhibition explores the African American experience, evoking the power of oration and freedom stories, the brilliance of artistic achievement, and the soaring heights of cultural expression, philosophy, sports, and politics through a series of posters from the Smithsonian Institution National Museum of African American History and Culture. The posters serve as the backdrop for displays telling the story of African Americans in Arizona. From the churches and schools to the boardroom; to the battlefields and to the neighborhood barbershops and beauty shops where important news of the day was discussed - the stories weave a rich tapestry of African American heritage.
Check our website frequently for associated programming.
November 13, 2019 - September 26, 2020
The Arizona Heritage Center is proud to present Current State, an exhibition featuring the works of local artist, Thomas “Breeze” Marcus. Curated in collaboration with the Arizona Historical Society, Current State is a collection of works that explore Breeze’s personal experiences and identity as a part of the Akimel and Tohono O’odham communities. Displayed in conjunction with cultural artifacts and stories, the exhibition showcases how history, cultural heritage, and identity influence contemporary works.
Opening Reception: Wednesday, November 13 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Free and open to all.
Opens October 24, 2019.
The Historical League is proud to present the 2019 Historymakers Lobby Exhibit. 2019 Arizona Historymakers: Betsey Bayless, Dr. Arthur DeCabooter, Michael J. Fox, Alfredo Gutierrez, Merrill Mahaffey and Vernon D. Swaback. The exhibit will showcase the exceptional contributions the 2019 honorees have made to our state and provide viewers direct access to the amazing oral histories and accomplishments of each diverse group of Historymakers since the program's inception in 1992.
Educators will find school tours at the Arizona Heritage Center are a great way to expand your students’ knowledge of Arizona and Natural History.
Museum Tours
Students and adults alike will enjoy learning about Arizona’s past through interactive and interesting exhibits. Our Natural History Gallery includes rocks, minerals, fossils and meteorites from Arizona and around the world.
School Tours
We offer guided and self-guided tours for student groups. To request more information or to reserve a tour, please complete the School Tour Request Form.
Group Tours
We also offer guided and self-guided tours for groups of 10 or more people. To request more information or to reserve a tour, please complete the Group Tour Request Form.
We look forward to seeing you soon!
Dreaming of the perfect wedding venue?
Need an auditorium for your theater troupe performance?
Looking for meeting and event spaces for your next corporate event?
You’ll find what you are looking for at the Arizona Heritage Center. Nestled against the base of the Papago Park, the Arizona Heritage Center is a hidden paradise. Outdoor spaces provide scenic desert views and magnificent sunsets. Indoor spaces include a majestic sandstone lobby with grand staircase, auditorium, theater and a variety of meeting spaces.
Whether you are hosting an intimate birthday celebration, or a 2,000 person corporate event, we are just the place for you!
Visit our Meeting and Event Guide for more information.
Contact our Meeting and Event Planning Department at 480-387-5367, email [email protected] or visit us on WeddingWire.com.
Visit the gift shop and select from a wide selection of books, jewelry, bookends and minerals. Kids can select from a variety of children’s books, polished rocks and souvenirs.
We are proud to feature the highly acclaimed, “Tastes and Treasures II, A Storytelling Cookbook of Historic Arizona.” Published by the Historical League, this beautifully illustrated cookbook includes recipes and stories from some of Arizona’s most iconic restaurants and well-known Arizona families. Retail value: $30
Arizona Historical Society members receive a 10% discount off gift store merchandise.
