Tucson Heritage & Culture
Enjoy a fascinating journey through Southern Arizona's diverse history. Explore ancient Native American archaeological sites from Murray Springs and Signal Hill to Dankworth Village. Stroll historic Tubac, Arizona's first European settlement and follow the trails of early Spanish explorers and missionaries. See reenactments of the Gunfight at the OK Corral. Learn how mining shaped Western towns like Bisbee or stroll through the Dragoon Mountains-a historic homeland of the Apache Indians and former hideout of Chief Cochise.
Tucson Heritage and Culture in Video:
 |
 |
Historic Anza Trail
Follow the same trail the Spanish did to colonize California.
Western Experience
Walk in the footsteps of Wyatt Earp, Pancho Villa and Cochise.
Military History
Discover Native American Warriors, Spanish Conquistadors, the U.S. Calvary and even Cold War missiles.
Missions & Churches
Experience the beauty of our places of worship dating back hundreds of years.
Our Rich Past
Learn about ancient native Americans, Spanish colonization, mining history and more.
Featured Heritage & Culture Partners
| Amerind Museum | |
Museum of Archaeological, ethnographic exhibits of Native American cultures. Art gallery, museum … |
|
| Presidio San Agustín del Tucson | |
| The Presidio San Agustín del Tucson was established in August of 1775 and remained in use until … | |
| Arizona Folklore Preserve | |
| Reservations required: 520-378-6165, off AZ Hwy. 92, 44 Ramsey Canyon Rd. West, Hereford, … | |
| Mission San Xavier del Bac | |
| Acclaimed as finest example of mission architecture in U.S. southwest of Tucson on Tohono O'odham … |
Upcoming Heritage & Culture Events
|
Interwoven Traditions: The Cultural Legacy Of Southwestern Textiles - Jan. 17 - Nov. 18 The Amerind Museum exhibits beautiful rugs and other textiles from its collection of treasures from Navajo, Hopi, Tarahumara, Rio Grande, and other weavers., 520.586.3666.
Many Mexicos: Vistas de la Frontera - Jan. 17 - Nov. 17 Arizona State Museum's 2010 Mexico bicentennial-centennial exhibition interprets a broad sweep of Mexican history from the perspective of the Arizona borderlands. Closed federal holidays., 520-621-6302.
Tucson Rodeo Parade Museum Tours - Jan. 17 - Apr. 25 Tour displays of 150 buggies and wagons; see Old West artifacts, a typical western streetscape, and historical Tucson memorabilia at the Tucson Rodeo Parade Museum., 520-294-1280.
Hopi Quilts: Unique Yet Universal - Jan. 20 - Aug. 20 Arizona State Museum hosts an exhibition of 20 inspiring examples of Hopi quilts from the 1970s to today, which demonstrate adaptation and use of this old American tradition., 520-621-6281.
San Xavier Mission Guided Tours - Jan. 23 - Aug. 12 Docents lead 45-minute tours of the National Historic Landmark, Monday - Saturday, and explain the mission's rich history and ornate interior that includes painted murals and original statuary., 520-294-2624.
Arizona Centennial Art Exhibit at Tohono Chul Park - Jan. 26 - Apr. 22 A juried exhibit at Tohono Chul Park celebrates Arizona’s centennial birthday with artworks that focus on the flora, fauna, landscape, and culture that defines the Grand Canyon State., 520-742-6455.
74th Annual Tohono O'odham Nation Rodeo & Fair - Feb. 2 - Feb. 5 Arizona's longest-running American Indian rodeo has a powwow, carnival, parade, Waila dances, and food/crafts at Eugene Tashquinth Livestock Complex in Sells, 60 miles west of Tucson., 520-383-2588 OR 520-383-1800.
100 Years of Arizona’s Best: Minerals That Made The State - Feb. 3 The UA Mineral Museum's new exhibit commemorates Arizona’s State Centennial with a dazzling display of Arizona minerals on loan from top collectors., 520-621-4516.
20th Cochise County Cowboy Poetry & Music Gathering - Feb. 3 - Feb. 5 Celebrate Arizona's rich cowboy heritage with performances by acclaimed poets and musicians from throughout the United States at Buena Performing Arts Center, Sierra Vista., 800-288-3861 (Sierra Vista CVB).
CCOBRA Barrel Race - Feb. 4 The Town of Marana Western Heritage Committee hosts regular rodeo events with variations of barrel racing, bronco riding, calf roping, team roping, and bull riding at Heritage Arena., 520-248-1736.
Locomotive Saturdays - Feb. 4 Explore regional transportation history through interactive museum exhibits and see real freight trains passing by, or ring the locomotive bell at the Southern Arizona Transportation Museum every Saturday., 520-623-2223.
Tucson Gem & Mineral Society: Minerals of Arizona - Feb. 9 - Feb. 12 Tucson Gem and Mineral Society presents Tucson's original gem show with displays featuring "Minerals of Arizona" and more at Tucson Convention Center., 520-322-5773 (Tsn Gem/Mineral Society).
Arizona Centennial Celebration, Downtown Tucson - Feb. 10 - Feb. 12 Celebration marking Arizona's 100th anniversary of statehood includes free concerts, fireworks displays, street musicians, food vendors, rides, historical re-enactments, and more for all ages in Downtown Tucson..
The Centennial Exhibit at Jewish History Museum - Feb. 10 - Feb. 24 Tucson Jewish History Museum celebrates the rich history of the state and the contribution the Jewish community has made to that history., 520-670-9073.
31st Fort Lowell Day Celebration - Feb. 11 Old Fort Lowell Neighborhood Association presents self-guided walking tour to historical sites (maps available at Ft. Lowell Park) and cavalry drills, food, music., 520-318-0219.
Life at the Fort - Living History Presentation - Feb. 11 Arizona History Museum-Tucson presents the US Cavalry Regimental Band in concert, with historical re-enactors at Ft. Lowell Park, next to the museum, Nov 5, Feb 11, April 7., 520-628-5774 OR 885-3832.
Living History Day: Arizona's Centennial Celebration - Feb. 11 The Tucson Presidio celebrates Arizona's 100th birthday with a Tucson Living History Day featuring Spanish colonial food, craft demonstrations, soldier drills, storytelling, and more..
Arizona Centennial Quilt Project: 100 Years - 100 Quilts - Feb. 18 - Dec. 31 An exhibition of 100 handmade quilts from around the state, including the cornerstone Arizona Centennial Commemorative Quilt, at the Arizona Historical Society Museum., 520-628-5774.
Coors Tucson Barn Dance - Feb. 18 - Feb. 26 Coors Rodeo Dance features live western music, great eats, and cowboys galore every rodeo day at the Tucson Rodeo Grounds., 520-741-2233.
La Fiesta de los Vaqueros (Tucson Rodeo) - Feb. 18 - Feb. 26 The Tucson Rodeo, or La Fiesta de los Vaqueros (Celebration of the Cowboy), is one of the top 25 professional rodeos in North America. Located at the Tucson Rodeo Grounds., Tickets 1-800-9645662.
Southwest Indian Art Fair - Feb. 18 - Feb. 19 Arizona State Museum presents "Southern Arizona's premier American Indian art show and market" with 200 native artists and their wares, a rug auction, live entertainment, foods, and more., 520-626-8381.
Tucson Rodeo Parade - Feb. 23 Tucson's mostly horse-drawn parade has been presented since 1925, and is considered the country's largest non-motorized parade. For more information, visit tucsonrodeoparade.org., (520) 294-1280.
'Cowgirls with Heart' Rodeo Dance - Feb. 24 Kick up your heels with true country music, featuring Pat James, and dancing in real rodeo fashion at the historic El Casino Ballroom., 520 940-0973.
Western Swing Dance Party - Feb. 24 Enjoy boot-scootin’ western-swing dance music and dancin' with award-winning vocalist Carolyn Martin from Nashville and local band Way Out West at Plaza Palomino., (520) 320-6344.
Jewish Storytelling Festival - Feb. 26 - Mar. 25 Tucson's Jewish History Museum hosts a Jewish Storytelling Festival at the Jewish History Museum., 520-670-9073.
|
See all our Major Events >>
 |  |  |
 |  | |
 |  |  |
Browse Heritage & Culture Businesses
What's New
Green Valley and Sahuarita have an incredibly diverse history and rich culture. Download the PDF and read for yourself.
Take a look at the new online heritage trail map for our region.
The National Geographic Society has made our Sonoran Desert the subject of its first bi-national Geotourism MapGuide.
Southern Arizona's Santa Cruz Valley is designated as a National Historic Area.
