Culture

Historic Block Walking Tour
From Gadsden to Gatsby
On this half-day walking tour of the Tucson Museum of Art and Historic Block, discover the varied architectural styles found in the area. Along Main Avenue in Tucson's first neighborhood, the El Presidio Historic District, view Sonoran row houses, bungalows, and homes combining Spanish colonial and prairie elements. Tour the interior of the 1907 mission revival style J. Knox Corbett House and visit the Palice Pavilion for a glimpse of Art of the Americas. Afterward, spend time shopping at the Museum Shop, or stay longer at Café à la C'Art.

Length: 2½ hours
Hours: Tues.-Sat. 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sun. noon-4 p.m.; no tours Monday, major holidays, and Memorial Day through Labor Day. 
Contact: Education Center

Tucson Museum of Art and Historic Block 
140 N. Main Ave., Tucson, AZ 85701
(520) 624-2333
education@tucsonmuseumofart.org , www.tucsonmuseumofart.org

Castañeda Museum of Ethnic Costume
Trunk Show
The colors of Mexico and Guatemala come alive during this trunk show of ethnic costumes brought to you by the Castañeda Museum of Ethnic Costume. Many of the materials, techniques, designs, and implements used today in creating these costumes have survived and flourished for centuries. Indulge in this visual language that conveys religious beliefs, social status, and traditions distinctive to these communities. The trunk show begins with the costumes of Southern Arizona and northwest Mexico, then continues south through Mexico into the highlands of Guatemala. Take home three ethnic-costume postcards and handouts.

Attendees: 5 min./45 max.
Length: 1 hour
Availability: Tues. mornings and all day Sat. and Sun.
Requirements: Will come to your hotel or restaurant location for the show. One hour is needed to set up as well as 2-3 long tables, 2-3 easels, and assistance from your facility's staff to unload and load props and costumes.
Contact: Gayle Castañeda

The Castañeda Museum of Ethnic Costume 
(520) 299-4129
castanedamuseum@aol.com, www.castanedamuseum.org  

Arizona State Museum
Behind-the-Scenes Tours
Experience the indigenous cultures of Arizona, the greater Southwest, and northern Mexico at the Arizona State Museum (ASM)-the largest and oldest anthropology museum in the Southwest. In addition to viewing dynamic exhibits, your group can go behind the scenes to view the storerooms of the museum's many collections including the following: Paths of Life-A curator-guided tour of ASM's award-winning permanent exhibition featuring the ten native cultures of Arizona and northern Mexico. Discuss exhibit preparation, native participation, and exhibit concepts. Prehistoric Pot Storeroom-This room features more than 12,000 prehistoric pots of the Hohokam, Mogollon, and ancestral Pueblo cultures. Ethnographic Storeroom-A peek into one of the museum's storerooms, featuring historic and more contemporary items such as textiles, kachina dolls, and smaller materials from all over the world. Archaeology Lab-Learn about laboratory research procedures-the equally important counterpart to field excavation. See computer models and reconstructions, as well as learn how artifacts are catalogued and used as research tools.

Attendees: Because the storerooms are cramped with narrow walkways, the museum can accommodate only 15 people at one time. If more than 15 people are interested, staff will split into small groups or make other arrangements to accommodate group size.
Length: 30 minutes each
Contact: Darlene Lizarraga

Arizona State Museum 
1013 E. University Blvd., Tucson, AZ 85721-0026 
(520) 626-8381
dfl@email.arizona.edu

More Cultural Ideas:
The Amerind Foundation & Museum  A glimpse of ancient life-the dwellings, tools, ceremonies, clothing and even children's toys.

Chiricahua National Monument  A 12,000-acre "Wonderland of Rocks" with incredible rock spires, stone columns, and balanced rocks. 520-824-3560, www.nps.gov/chir

Mission San Xavier Del Bac  Located on the Tohono O'odham Indian Reservation, the church was built between 1783 and 1797 and is a graceful blending of Moorish, Byzantine, and late Mexican Renaissance.

Tohono O'odham Reservation  An area of vivid contrasts, rough terrain, dry mesquite, and rock outcroppings. The town of Sells was originally called "The Place Where the Turtle Sticks in the Mud." West of Tucson.

Tubac Presidio State Historic Park  Founded in 1752 as a Spanish presidio to defend the mission at Tumacácori and the village of Tubac-known today as the oldest European-settled city in Arizona.

Tumacácori National Historical Park  The abandoned ruins of three ancient Spanish colonial missions are here on 45 acres.

Heritage Experiences of the Santa Cruz Valley Website  Take a look at the online heritage trail map for our region.