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:
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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
| Tucson Rodeo Parade Museum | |
Museum features 150 horse-drawn vehicles from buggies to elaborate coaches, historic artifacts … |
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| Arizona Folklore Preserve | |
| Reservations required: 520-378-6165, off AZ Hwy. 92, 44 Ramsey Canyon Rd. West, Hereford, … | |
| Tucson Museum of Art and Historic Block | |
| Blending the traditional with the inventive, the museum presents original and traveling exhibitions … |
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| Presidio San Agustín del Tucson | |
133 W. Washington St., Tucson, AZ 85701, (520) 837-8119. |
Upcoming Heritage & Culture Events
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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.
100 Years of Arizona’s Best: Minerals That Made The State - Feb. 8 - 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.
Hopi Quilts: Unique Yet Universal - Feb. 24 - 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.
Tucson Rodeo Parade Museum Tours - Feb. 24 - Jun. 2 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.
A Journey: The Art of Glory Tacheenie-Campoy - Mar. 17 - Oct. 31 An exhibit by Diné (Navajo) artist Glory Tacheenie-Campoy, including original paintings, sculpture, mixed-media works, and prints at The Amerind Foundation. March 17 opening celebration will feature the artist and Dr. Ofelia Zepeda., 520-586-3666.
Basketry Treasured - Apr. 28 - Jun. 1 This exhibit of 500 stunning examples of Native basketry represent the staggering depth and breadth of Arizona State Museum’s peerless collection, recently designated an American Treasure., 520-626-8381.
San Xavier Mission Guided Tours - May. 14 - Dec. 2 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.
Locomotive Saturdays - May. 26 Explore regional transportation history, and see a freight trains passing by, or ring the locomotive bell at the Southern Arizona Transportation Museum every Saturday., 520-623-2223.
Wyatt Earp Days - May. 26 - May. 28 Celebrate the life and times of the Old West's famous lawman in Tombstone, "the town too tough to die," with costumed entertainers, gunfights and street skits, a chili cook-off, stagecoach rides., (520) 866-5266, 1-888-457-3929.
Aaron Jones & Claire Mann in Concert - Jun. 7 Global Change Multi-Media presents Aaron Jones and Claire Mann from Scotland in a concert of Celtic folk music at Tubac Plaza Main Stage., 520-398-2542.
Salute to the Buffalo Soldiers - Jun. 9 - Jun. 10 Celebration includes street entertainment, a parade, car show, the Buffalo Soldiers Parade down historic Allen Street, and other activities in Tombstone, AZ..
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See all our Major Events >>
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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.
