Tucson, AZ---Looking for a fun and interesting way to celebrate Arizona’s birthday? The state was established as the 48thstate by the U.S. government on Feb. 14, 1912.  That’s why it’s often called the Valentine State.  On Saturday, Feb. 15, from 10 am-1 pm, the Presidio Museum’s January Living History Day will celebrate Arizona’s Statehood.  The event is included in admission, the Presidio's Statehood event celebrates Arizona's history and the different ethnicities and cultures that make Arizona the state it is today.

 

The event will include:

·      A lecture by local historian and tour guide Mauro Trejo, The Journey to Statehood: Arizona, The Valentine State at 11:45 am. 

·      A display on the 1912 Arizona National Guard

·      A display of Arizona's firearm history (the various firearms that have been used in Arizona)

·      Performances of musket volleys and fire the cannon by the Spanish Garrison

·      Samples of tortillas and Mexican hot chocolate cooked on our comal 

·      Demonstrations of colcha embroidery, a craft that emerged from New Spain

·      Raising of the 1912 US flag (48 states flag) and the Arizona flag

 

The Salon & Saloon Lecture this month is The Arrival of the Railroad in Tucson. Gene Caywood, president and CEO of Old Pueblo Trolley, the umbrella corporation for the Southern Arizona Transportation Museum, will discuss the iconic event that was the arrival of the railroad in Tucson.  The elements involved in building the tracks as well as the events that resulted will be discussed.  Karrels will also cover how Tucson was greatly affected after the arrival of the train in many aspects, including architecture, food, fashion, reduced shipping times, and the development of Tucson. Gene is the founder of Old Pueblo Trolley and was instrumental in the establishment of the Southern Arizona Transportation Museum. The lecture will also be held on Feb. 15, beginning at 2 pm, in the Monsoon Room at JoJo’s Restaurant, 201 N. Court Ave.  It is $5/person to attend the lecture.  Fees can be paid at the door, or pre-registration is available at www.TucsonPresidio.com/calendars.

Our popular walking tours will continue this month.  The cost is $35/person and $20/Presidio Museum members unless otherwise noted.  Pre-registration is required at https://tucsonpresidio.com/walking-tours/

 

Mainly Murals – Feb. 1, 10 am-12 pm
Mainly Murals + Wine Tasting at JoJo’s Restaurant – Feb. 1, 1-4 pm ($65/non-member, $50/member)

Mansions of Main Ave. – Feb. 8, 10 am to12 pm

Turquoise Trail – Feb. 8, 10 am to 12:30 pm

Barrio Viejo – Feb. 9 AND Feb. 23, 10 to 11:30 am

Death After Dark – Feb. 9 AND Feb. 23, 7 to 9 pm

Presidio District Tour – Feb. 14, 10 am to 12:30 pm

University of Arizona – Feb. 18, 9 am to 11:30 am

Evergreen Cemetery – Feb. 21, 10 am to 12 pm

Public Art & Murals – Feb. 22, 9 to 11 am

Public Art & Murals with Wine Tasting at Leo Kent Hotel – Feb. 22, 1 to 4 pm ($65/person, $55/member includes wine tasting)

Murals & More of the 4th Avenue District – Feb. 23, 11:30 am to 1 pm

Murals & More + Margaritas of the 4th Avenue District – Feb. 23, 2 to 4:30 pm

Santa Cruz River History – Feb. 28, 10 am to 12pm ($40/non-member, $25/member includes admission to Mission Garden

 

The Presidio San Agustín del Tucson Museum is located on the northeast corner of the original Presidio at 196 N. Court Ave. The Presidio Museum is a reconstruction of the original Tucson Presidio built in 1775. Docent tours give visitors a glimpse of what life in the Presidio was like for soldiers and other residents.  Additional highlights include an original 150-year-old Sonoran row house and a 2,000-year-old prehistoric pit house. 

Admission to the museum is $9 for adults, $6 for children ages 6-13 and free for children five and under and Presidio Museum members. Pima County residents, seniors 65+ and members of the military receive a $3 discount with ID. The Presidio Museum is managed by the Tucson Presidio Trust for Historic Preservation, a not-for-profit entity whose mission is to guide and aid in the interpretation of history at the Presidio San Agustín through research, education and living history experiences.

In 2025, the Presidio Museum will be the official host of the 250+ Celebration of All Things S-cuk Son/Tucson, the anniversary of the Aug. 20, 1775, founding of the Presidio San Agustin and modern-day Tucson, as well as Tucson’s thousands of years of history and culture. The event will be held on Saturday, Aug. 23.