It’s getting warmer, so the Presidio Museum is moving its events to the earlier mornings and the evenings when being outside in Tucson is still enjoyable.
Our popular walking tours continue this month, and the museum is offering a new tour called History of Congress Street on Saturdays, June 6, 13 and 20, from 6:30-8 pm. Tour guide Ken Scoville takes attendees on a 1-mile tour to discover how Congress Street has changed over the years. In the 1870s, going east of Stone on Congress Street meant getting out of town. The arrival of the railroad would pull development east to the railroad station, and then vacant lots on Congress began filling in along the entire length of the street. In the 1940’s and 50’s, Congress Street was the place to be for a day of shopping, a movie, and lunch. With the arrival of suburban malls and strip commercial shops, Congress Street declined to the point of being boarded up, including the Fox Theatre. The rebirth of Congress Street began in the late 1980’s with the recognition that preservation of the historic buildings would revitalize downtown. This guided walking tour covers this growth, demise, and rebirth of Congress Street. Ken Scoville, a historian and you tour guide, was also involved directly with helping to redevelop downtown and Congress Street from 1985 to the present. This tour begins at the Fox Theatre, 17 W. Congress Street and costs $30/person or $20/Presidio Museum member. Pre-Registration is required at https://tucsonpresidio.com/walking-tours/.
Several other tours are also being held this month. The following tours are $30/person or $20/Presidio Museum Member, unless otherwise indicated..
Mainly Murals – Saturday, June 1, 8-10 am
Mansions of Main Avenue – Saturday, June 1, 8-10 am
History of Congress Street – Thursday, June 6, 13, AND 20, 6:30-8 pm
Turquoise Trail – Saturday, June 9, 7:30-10 am
Barrio Viejo – Sunday, June 9, 5:30-7 pm AND Sunday, June 23, 5:30-7 pm
Public Art & Murals – Saturday, June 22, 8-10 am
Public Art & Murals + Wine Tasting – Saturday, June 22, 5:30-8:30 pm
Murals & More in the 4th Avenue District – Sunday, June 23, 5:30-7 pm
Santa Cruz River History Tour – Friday, June 28, 8-10 am ($35/Person or $25/Member)
See https://tucsonpresidio.com/walking-tours/ for tour descriptions and to register.
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 $9 for adults, $6 for children ages 6-13 and free for children 5 and under and Presidio Museum members. A $3 discount is available for Pima County residents, seniors, and members of the military with appropriate identification. 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.
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