Tubac, AZ — January 2, 2026 — The Friends of the Tubac Presidio State Historic Park and Museum has been awarded a substantial American Latino History grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), marking the largest grant in the organization’s history.

 


Arizona’s first state park, Tubac Presidio State Historic Park and Museum, is operated by the Friends of the Tubac Presidio, a nonprofit organization working in partnership with Arizona State Parks and Trails and Santa Cruz County. The IMLS award will support a multi-year initiative to expand and deepen interpretation of Latin American histories across the park and museum.

 


“This transformational support allows us to strengthen every facet of our work,” said Executive Director, Kendyll Collins. “With this grant, we will redesign two museum exhibits to more fully share Latin American histories, install Spanish-language signage throughout the park, enrich interpretation in the historic Rojas House, translate marketing materials, and even provide Spanish classes for our volunteers. We have tried to inch towards these goals incrementally for years. This funding allows us to realize them holistically, and we are deeply grateful to IMLS.”

 


Guests are invited to join the Friends of the Tubac Presidio as annual members to enjoy unlimited visitation and witness this multi-year transformation in person. Those outside the region can follow progress and behind-the-scenes updates on the organization’s social media channels.


About the Friends of the Tubac Presidio

he Friends of the Tubac Presidio is a nonprofit 501 (c)(3) organization dedicated to cultivating curiosity of the history of the Tubac Presidio and the diverse cultures of Southern Arizona. To learn more, visit www.tubacpresidio.org.


About IMLS

The Institute of Museum and Library Services is the primary source of federal support for the nation's libraries and museums. IMLS advances, supports, and empowers America's museums, libraries, and related organizations through grantmaking, research, and policy development. IMLS envisions a nation where individuals and communities have access to museums and libraries to learn from and be inspired by the trusted information, ideas, and stories they contain about our diverse natural and cultural heritage. To learn more, visit www.imls.gov and follow on Facebook and X.

 

###