Tucson, AZ -- The Museum Association of Arizona recently announced the Presidio San Agustín del Tucson as the recipient of the MAA’s 2023 Institutional Award of Excellence. The award is given to a museum that has exhibited leadership qualities by achieving excellence in it work, including in the areas of collection, preservation, research, interpretation, and education.
In an email notifying Presidio Museum staff, the MAA stated that their Awards Committee was impressed by the wide range of the museum’s work with the Tucson community, including the expansion of walking tours, children’s programs, and collaborations with the Tohono O’Odham Nation, Archaeology Southwest, and the Fort Lowell Museum, of which the Presidio Museum staff have taken over management.
“We are truly humbled and appreciative of this award,” said Amy Hartmann-Gordon, Presidio Museum executive director. “This honor acknowledges the work we are doing to teach the community about our regional history and the diverse people who have contributed to our rich local culture.
The award will be presented at MAA’s Annual Business Meeting and Awards Luncheon on Monday, May 1, at the Tempe History Museum.
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 is $8 for adults, $5 for children ages 6-13 and free for children 5 and under and Presidio Museum members. Special events have separate rates. 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.
###