List of museums in Arizona facts for kids

Deer Valley Rock Art Center Museum

This article is about museums in Arizona. Museums are special places that collect and take care of interesting objects. These objects can be about culture, art, science, or history. Museums then show these collections to the public so everyone can learn from them.

We'll explore different kinds of museums you can find in Arizona. From ancient artifacts to cool science exhibits, there's a museum for almost anything!

What are Museums?

Museums are like giant treasure chests filled with amazing things from the past and present. They help us understand the world around us and how people lived long ago. Some museums are run by groups that don't make a profit, while others are government-owned or private businesses. They all share the goal of sharing knowledge and wonder.

Exploring Arizona's Museums

Arizona has many different types of museums. You can find places that show off ancient tools, beautiful artwork, or even old trains! Let's look at some of the exciting kinds of museums you might visit.

History Museums

History museums tell the stories of people and places. In Arizona, you can learn about the state's past, from early settlers to important events.

• The Arizona Capitol Museum in Phoenix teaches you about Arizona's state history and culture.
• The Arizona Historical Society Pioneer Museum in Flagstaff focuses on the history of Flagstaff and northern Arizona.
• The Tempe History Museum shares the story of the city of Tempe. It also has a community art gallery.
• The Pioneer Living History Museum in Phoenix is like stepping back in time. It's an Old West town from the 1800s, showing how people lived.

Native American Culture Museums

Arizona is home to many Native American tribes, and several museums celebrate their rich history and traditions.

• The Heard Museum in Phoenix has amazing collections of ancient and modern Native American jewelry, baskets, and art.
• The Arizona State Museum in Tucson shows Southwest Indian pottery and artifacts. It helps us understand their religion and culture.
• The Navajo Nation Museum in Window Rock explores the history and culture of the Navajo people.
• The Deer Valley Petroglyph Preserve in Phoenix lets you see ancient Native American rock art right in the desert.

Science and Natural History Museums

These museums are perfect for curious minds! They explore everything from dinosaurs to outer space and the natural world.

• The Arizona Museum of Natural History in Mesa has exhibits on dinosaurs, ancient cultures, and even Mars!
• The Arizona Science Center in Phoenix offers hands-on exhibits that make science fun and easy to understand.
• The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum in Tucson is unique. It's a zoo, a natural history museum, and a botanical garden all in one! You can see plants, animals, and fossils from the Sonoran Desert.
• The Center for Meteorite Studies at Arizona State University in Tempe has a collection of meteorites on display.
• At Meteor Crater near Winslow, you can learn about space, meteorites, and asteroids.

Art Museums

If you love art, Arizona has many galleries and museums showcasing beautiful creations.

• The Phoenix Art Museum has a wide range of art, including American, Asian, European, and modern art. It also features fashion design.
• The Arizona State University Art Museum in Tempe focuses on contemporary art, ceramics, and art from Arizona and the Americas.
• The Tucson Museum of Art features art of the American West and modern art.
• The DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun Historic District in Tucson is a special art gallery and architectural site created by artist Ettore DeGrazia.

Transportation and Military Museums

You can find museums dedicated to how people traveled and the history of the military.

• The Arizona Railway Museum in Chandler has a collection of old railroad cars and artifacts.
• The Pima Air & Space Museum in Tucson is huge, with over 275 commercial and military aircraft and spacecraft.
• The Arizona Military Museum in Phoenix tells the story of Arizona's military history.
• The Titan Missile Museum in Sahuarita is a former missile site where you can see a real ICBM missile.

Historic Homes and Sites

Many museums are located in old houses or important historical places, letting you see how people lived in the past.

• The Riordan Mansion State Historic Park in Flagstaff is a beautiful 1904 Arts and Crafts style mansion.
• The Rosson House in Phoenix is a Victorian-era house located in Historic Heritage Square.
• The Montezuma Castle National Monument near Camp Verde preserves ancient cliff dwellings built by the Sinagua people around 700 AD. It also has a museum about them.

Defunct Museums

Sometimes museums close down. For example, the Arizona Mining and Mineral Museum in Phoenix closed in 2011. The Bead Museum in Glendale also closed in 2011, and its collections were moved to another museum in California.

See also

• Nature Centers in Arizona