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The 8 Best History Museums in Tucson, Arizona (AZ)
Although Tucson's fantastic weather, national parks and forests and desert provide the perfect environment for tons of outdoor recreational activities, this city of half a million people also has its share of history and culture. With a history that goes back much further than many of its southwestern neighbors, Tucson boasts turn-of-the-century architecture, historic neighborhoods, museums and the Mission San Xavier del Bac, a still-functioning 18th-century mission considered one of the most beautiful in the U.S. Mexican and Native American influences are pervasive, and the city has a distinctly Western flavor. There's also a college-town atmosphere, thanks to the University of Arizona, which has its own share of museums and a science center. Whether golfing at a world-class golf resort, horseback riding, hiking in the wilderness, discovering desert flora and fauna at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum or exploring pre-Columbian and other art at the Tucson Art Museum, you'll have a mind-boggling array of things to do.
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1. 390th Memorial Museum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 25 reviews
The 390th Memorial Museum honors and memorializes those veterans who provided ground support and flew the B-17 in the 390th Bombardment Group of the Eighth Air Force in WWII. The Museum serves as a window on the air war over Europe by the 390th and related Bomb Groups in that conflict, educating the public on the 390th Bomb Group's service and sacrifice in the cause of freedom.
Reviewed By juliebfromindy - Indianapolis, United States
This museum was spectacular!!! 390th has a beautiful B-17, fully restored and this plane is captivating! We were able to talk with one of 9 remaining pilots and what a privilege that was!! He is there only on Thursdays. They have restrooms and a gift shop. The building is handicapped accessible as well as bathrooms. They have a wonderful display of nose art and the meanings behind them. I loved the area where you got to hear stories/ recounts of their time by the actual person. This should not be missed!!!
2. Tucson Museum of Art and Historic Block
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 260 reviews
The Tucson Museum of Art was founded 1924. It is Southern Arizona's premier presenter of fine art and art education programs. The Museum features permanent and traveling exhibitions of Modern and Contemporary, Native American, American West, Latin American, and Asian art. The main Museum, a contemporary architectural gem, has nearly 20,000 square feet of exhibition space. The Museum's Historic Block of 19th and 20th C. adobe and Mission Revival-style buildings, encompassing an entire four-acre city block, includes the John K. Goodman Pavilion of Western Art, displaying the Museum's notable art of the American West collection, the national award-winning Museum restaurant Café a la C'Art, and additional exhibition spaces.
Reviewed By seb36 - Tucson, United States
We just visited the art museum after it re-opened following Covi19 closure. It was in the afternoon and there we only 2 other couples there and 2 singles. We never even got close to anyone! Of course masks and social distancing are required. We went to visit the opening of the new Kasser Latin American wing and the exhibits were really wonderful, as were the brief descriptions next to each display . Lot of ancient Peruvian art which was a treat for us. The new Southwest Art exhibit was incredibly interesting and fun. Very, very colorful and it is cultural as well as artistic. Again, the descriptions were terrific. Both of these 2 nre exhibits were on the entry level, along with a charming and varied gift shop full of unique items. There is a slowly declining ramp that goes down about two floors that is full of wonderful paintings, sculptures from the permanent collection.-- with lots of rooms at each level full of treasures. Since the space is huge, the objects are not crowded and the effect is impressive. Items are grouped by culture or style or artist so it all makes sense. We are members so we go fairly often, especially for new exhibits. It is always a treat and makes you think of new areas of exploration and thoghts. There is a link to the floor plan for your smartphone so you will know where you are during your tour.
3. DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 573 reviews
On the National Register of Historic Places, this legendary landmark of Southwestern art and architecture was designed and built by acclaimed Arizona artist Ted DeGrazia. The 10-acre foothills site includes the adobe gallery with permanent and rotating exhibits, mission with interior murals, gift shop, cactus courtyard, the artist’s home, and his grave. Open daily 10-4, closed on these days: New Year’s, Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas. Plenty of parking and handicap accessible. Admission Fees – $8.00 for adults, $5.00 for ages 12-18, under 12 are free. An annual individual membership is $25.00, with two buddy passes or an annual family membership is $55.00, with four buddy passes.
Reviewed By Kkoleary - Scottsdale, United States
This museum was well laid out. Each room represented a different theme for the artist. I had never heard of DeGrazia so really appreciated all the interesting details of his life along with seeing and hearing his views of his work. You really need to explore the compound to fully appreciate this museum. There is a nice courtyard where you can wander amount the cacti with a fountain. To the left of the museum is a church, little space for visiting artists, and his original house tucked in the back. If you plan to watch the video (recommended) this should take 1.5 to 2 hours.
4. Arizona History Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 98 reviews
The Arizona History Museum's focus is southern Arizona history from Spanish colonial through territorial eras. Exhibit topics include mining and transportation. The Arizona's Treasures exhibit features Geronimo's rifle, 18th-century Spanish silver artifacts, and hands-on exhibits for children.
Reviewed By 866TaylorB - Chicago, United States
The Arizona State Museum in Tucson, founded in 1893, is the oldest and largest anthropological research museum in the southwestern United States with expansive collections that are exceptional resources for the teaching, study and understanding of the region's 13,000-year-old human history. Located at 949 East 2nd Street, on the University of Arizona campus, near the center of the Tucson metropolitan area, in a historic Josias Joesler-designed building, it houses the stories and artifacts of Arizona personalities such as Geronimo and Wyatt Earp as well as Emperor and Empress Maximilian and Carlotta of Mexico. Family-oriented exhibits include an 1870s underground mining tunnel and a hands-on-recreation of 1870s Tucson. The museum has 38,000 cubic feet of archaeological research materials and curates millions of modern objects created by the Native American cultures of the region. The collections include 525,000 photographic prints, negatives and transparencies, 300,000 archaeological artifacts, 100,000 books and journals, 40,000 ethnographic objects, 35,000 basketry and fiber specimens dating back 7,000 years, 6,000 maps, 20,000 whole ceramic vessels dating back 2,000 years, over 1,000 sound recordings, 250 movie films, 1,200 microfilm reels of Spanish colonial documents, 1,500 linear feet of archival documents and 4,000 vertebrate specimens. The museum holds the world's largest and most comprehensive collections of Southwest Indian pottery and American Indian basketry. See Wyatt Earp's pistol and Geronimo's rifle and binoculars, old stagecoaches and buggies, even a chuck wagon and Santa Ana's uniform. Not to mention a history of the Apache Indians in the Southwest, descriptions of early pioneer and ranch life along the Arizona/Mexican border and exhibits on "Tucson's Black History" and "Mine Workers of Bisbee." This is a well organized museum that covers an enormous amount of history of southern Arizona that you can't find anywhere else.
5. Jewish History Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 29 reviews
Reviewed By RaymondP1597 - Tucson, United States
We thoroughly enjoyed our visit to this historically significant site. Our docent was quite personable and very knowledgeable. The displays related to the Holocaust are a must-see.
6. Ignite Sign Art Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 13 reviews
Ignite Sign Art Museum opened in October 2018 with the mission of preserving and restoring historically significant signs. More than twelve Arizona roadside signs have been rescued and saved from destruction and are now in the museum, along with others from the Southwest and Midwest. There are over 350 signs and items on display. We’ve also restored 23 historic neon signs in the Tucson area that are out in the community to be enjoyed by the community at large and visitors to the area.
Reviewed By flynhippo - Temecula, United States
Wow - what a great museum! They have so much information about the history of signs, tons of signs on display and an incredible neon demonstration on Saturdays. If you’re a Tucson local you will even feel nostalgic about some of the old signs they have. It’s great for kids too - they offer two different scavenger hunts to keep the kids engaged and learning. Highly recommend taking one to two hours out of your day and visiting.
7. Arizona Historical Society - Downtown History Museum
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 15 reviews
The AHS Downtown Museum has a wide range of exhibits that tell the story of Downtown Tucson history. Many of the exhibits depict early Tucson businesses, including drugstores, police and fire departments, and the Romero barbershop. Daily life in historic Downtown Tucson is also a major feature with displays and artifacts related to theater, music, social clubs, and sports. We currently offer a special exhibit on the John Dillinger gang that includes Dillinger's bullet proof vest. Come check out our brand new gift shop! Admission is always free, donations are always welcome.
8. Prehistoric Journey Dinosaur Discovery Center
Overall Ratings
2.5 based on 6 reviews
