Arizona Historical Society facts for kids
AHS Logo (alchemist's symbol for copper)
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| Founded | November 7, 1864 |
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| Founder | Arizona territorial legislature |
| Type | non-profit |
| Purpose | Connecting people through the power of Arizona's history |
The Arizona Historical Society (AHS) is a non-profit group. Its main goal is to help people connect with Arizona's amazing history. It does this through four main areas across the state. Each area has its own special museum. These areas are in Tucson, Tempe, Flagstaff, and Yuma. The society was started way back in 1884.
Contents
How the Historical Society Began
The Arizona Historical Society started on January 31, 1884. It was first called the Society of Arizona Pioneers. A doctor named John C. Handy and his father-in-law, William Fisher Scott, helped create it. They were joined by 58 other early settlers in Tucson.
A new railroad was being built, bringing big changes to Tucson. These early settlers, called pioneers, worried that their stories might be forgotten. They had faced tough challenges, like the desert heat and conflicts with Native American groups. So, they formed the society to save these important stories. They also wanted to help people in their community. For example, members would attend funerals and raise money for widows.
Over time, the society grew. It began to store official state papers. It also collected the histories of many Arizona citizens. The society has faced money problems and challenges in keeping its collections safe. Its collections often grew too big for its buildings. Eventually, a large basement was built at the main museum. This space helps store many records and documents safely.
As of 2015, the society ran several museums. It had financial help from over 3,000 members. Many volunteers also gave their time to support the AHS.
Explore Arizona's History at AHS Museums
The Arizona Historical Society manages several museums. Each museum focuses on different parts of Arizona's rich past.
Flagstaff Museums
- Arizona Historical Society Pioneer Museum – This museum is in an old hospital building. It shows exhibits about local history, ranching, logging, and how people traveled long ago. You can also learn about what life was like for pioneers.
- Riordan Mansion State Historic Park – The AHS helps manage this beautiful mansion. It was built in the early 1900s. It shows the Arts and Crafts style of that time.
Tempe Museum
- Arizona Historical Society Museum at Papago Park – This museum focuses on Arizona's history from the 1900s to today. You can see exhibits about World War II. It also covers how desert cities grew. Learn about Arizona's pop culture, sports, and even the state's geology.
Tucson Museums
- Arizona History Museum – This is the largest AHS museum in Arizona. It often changes its exhibits to show different parts of Arizona history. You can always see displays about southern Arizona. These cover the Spanish colonial times up through when Arizona became a territory. There are also exhibits on mining and transportation.
- Downtown Tucson Museum – This museum shows what early downtown Tucson was like. It has items from old barbershops, hotels, and drugstores. You can also explore how people spent their free time. Learn about music, theater, dance halls, and churches in old Tucson.
- Fort Lowell Museum – This museum is located at Fort Lowell Park. The park is where the old Fort Lowell used to be. Parts of the fort's medical building still stand. Trees planted to mark the road to the fort are also there. The small museum has exhibits about the fort's history. It also covers military history in Tucson. You can see old uniforms and photos of military life.
- Sosa-Carrillo-Fremont House – This is an adobe house built in the 1870s. You can visit it by making an appointment.
Yuma Museum
- Sanguinetti House Museum and Gardens – This is an adobe house from the 1870s. It shows what homes were like during that time.
Library and Archives: A Treasure Trove of History
The Arizona Historical Society has a huge collection of historical documents. These include published books and papers that have never been printed before. This collection is kept in its library and archives. The documents are spread across four locations in Arizona. Each location specializes in certain types of history.
For example, the Tucson collection is strong in the Territorial era. It also has many documents about southern Arizona and border areas. The Tempe collection focuses on the 20th century. It has oral histories and architectural drawings. The Yuma collection is great for learning about western Arizona. It covers agriculture and early transportation. The Flagstaff collection is strong in northern Arizona history. It includes records about the lumber industry and railroads.
Knowledgeable librarians work at the AHS libraries. They can help students and researchers. They can answer questions about Arizona's past.
The Journal of Arizona History
The historical society publishes a magazine four times a year. It's called the Journal of Arizona History. It was first named Arizoniana. This journal is sent to all members. It contains interesting articles about Arizona's history. You can also find photo essays and book reviews inside. The Historical Society also publishes books. You can find a list of these books on their website.
