Preserving the Past and Creating Our Shared Future… Watch Our New Video

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 […]

Beauty Haul: Powders, Creams, and Makeup from the 1920s

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 […]

Free Smithsonian “Winter at Home” Activity Guides for Kids and Families

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, […]

Preserving The Migrant Quilt Project

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 […]

The Pioneer Hotel Fire of 1970

It was an exciting evening at the Pioneer Hotel on December 20, 1970. Hughes Aircraft, now Raytheon, held their annual Holiday Party in what was one of Arizona’s premier hotels–hundreds of people were in attendance. Winter visitors from all over the US and Sonora were either snuggled up in bed or enjoying the holiday festivities. […]

Unmasking the Past

It started suddenly. Few people, if any, saw it coming. Even the ones who knew it was coming, some doctors perhaps, couldn’t predict the ferocity of the virus that was spreading across the globe. One day, everything was normal. The next day, suddenly, there were 24 cases of the virus in Tucson. The numbers soon […]

Arizona Historical Society Awards $35,434 in Grants to 29 Arizona Organizations

Certified Historical Institutions Awarded Grants to Support Local History Projects The Arizona Historical Society (AHS) awarded $35,434.69 in grants to 28 Arizona museums and organizations. This annual grant program supports preserving, interpreting, and promoting Arizona history with Certified Historical Institutions across the state. This year’s grant awards include scanning equipment and software to digitize photographs […]

Memorials and Monuments at the Arizona Historical Society

Starting A ConversationSometime between closing on November 4th and opening on November 5th, the two statues―honoring John Greenway and Padre Eusebio Kino―in front of the Arizona History Museum in Tucson were painted with red spray paint. As a history institution, we paused to reflect on what this means.  First, we have to ask questions about […]

Día de los Muertos, History and Celebrations

Día de los Muertos, celebrated across the Catholic feast days of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day, is a holiday popular in Mexico, Latin America, and the United States. Like the European traditions Samhain, All Hallows Eve and Halloween, Día de los Muertos is a night where the veil between worlds is lifted.  Unlike […]

A Pipe, a Coin, and a Name: Phoenix at 150

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 […]

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