Arizona History Museums

Part of the University of Arizona, the museum features collections of artifacts and exhibits related to the history of the peoples of the Greater Southwest.  Located at 1013 E. University Blvd in Tucson, AZ.

Explore the rich history of St. Johns and the surrounding area in Apache County.  From dinosaurs to Indians and Pioneers, this history museum has exhibits about all of them.  Located at 180 W. Cleveland in St. Johns, AZ.

Amarind Foundation Native American History   [Exhibits]

Big Nose Kate Saloon

Bisbee Mining and Historical Museum

Learn about the history and importance of copper mining in Bisbee, AZ through exhibits and photographs.  Visitors can take a Queen Mine Tour and go underground to a real copper mine to search for copper, gold, turquoise, silver and other minerals.  Located at 5 Copper Queen Plaza in Bisbee, AZ.

Crystal Palace Saloon

Douglas - Williams Historic House Museum

Fort Bowie National Historic Site

Hike to the historic Fort Bowie, on the way, you will see the remains of a Butterfield Stagecoach Station, the Chiricahua Apache Indian Agency, and the original fort.  Located at 3203 S. Old Fort Bowie Rd. in Bowie, AZ.

Fort Huachuca Historical Museum    [History]

Built in 1877 as a post to protect against the Chiricahua Apache attacks.  There is still an active Army post on the location but the historic district remains and includes an 1884 adobe house (The Pershing House) and many other historical structures.  Location is on AZ 90, four miles west of Sierra Vista, AZ.

Muheim Heritage House Museum

Erected in 1898 by Joseph and Carmelita Muheim, the home is furnished with period furnishings.  Tours are offered and the property may be rented for special occasions.  Located at 207 Youngblood Hill in Bisbee, AZ.

OK Corral, Tombstone, Arizona

Tombstone Courthouse State Historic Park

John Welsey Powell Memorial Museum

[History of Page]

This history museum for Page, features Native American artifacts as well as early pioneer items and history.  One of the main features is the long boat replica along with the photos and memorabilia related to John Wesley Powell's famed Colorado River voyages which took place in 1869 and 1871.  #6 N. Lake Powell Blvd in Page, AZ.

Riordan Mansion State Historic Park

Walnut Canyon National Monument   [History & Photos]

Explore the cliff dwellings in Walnut Canyon where early peoples made their homes over 700 years ago.  Guided hikes are available but do require reservations.  Hikes are of different levels from easy to strenuous.  The canyon is east of Flagstaff off of Interstate 40.

Wupatki National Monument   [History & Photos]

Pueblo ruins which were abandoned ca 1400 AD. 

Located at Fort Apache in Arizona.

Graham County Historical Museum

Housed in the old Thatcher School building, the Graham County Historical Society operates the museum dedicated to the history of Graham County, AZ.  Over 500 historic photos are contained in their collection along with many rooms of exhibits.  Located at the corner of 4th and Main Streets in Thatcher, AZ.

Just 30 minutes away from downtown Phoenix, AZ, you will find a place to step back in history to the days when there weren't any cars, life moved at a much slower pace and people worked hard.  The Village is a living history museum featuring a blacksmith shop, working ranch, jail and the staff is dressed in the spirit of the old west.  Located at 3901 West Pioneer Road in Phoenix, AZ.

American Museum of Nursing

This museum is in the process of moving.

Located in Glendale, AZ, the museum is one of the few in the United States which focuses on the history of nursing.

Arizona Capitol Museum

The 1901 Arizona Capitol Building features the history of Arizona from territorial days to present day.  Guided tours are offered.  Located at 1700 W. Washington in Phoenix, AZ.

Arizona Military Museum

Arizona Railway Museum

Arizona State Library, Archives & Museum

Arizona Wing Commemorative Air Force Museum

Offers a fascinating opportunity to ride in an old B17. 

[Warbird Rides]   [Museum Exhibits]

Chandler Museum

Operated by the Chandler Historical Society, the museum is focused on the preservation and display of the history of Chandler, Arizona.  Collections include historical artifacts, documents and photographs.  Located at 178 E. Commonwealth Avenue in Chandler, AZ.

Glendale Police Museum

Heard Museum

Historic Sahuaro Ranch Museum

Manistee Ranch

Home to the Glendale Historical Society

Mesa Historical Museum  [Mesa History]

Petersen House Museum

The house is currently closed for repairs.

1414 W. Southern Avenue in Tempe, AZ.

Pueblo Grande Museum and Archaeological Park

Scottsdale Historical Museum   [History]

Tempe Historical Museum  [History]  [Photos]

Learn about Tempe's past.  Located at 809 E. Southern Avenue in Tempe, AZ.

Bonelli House

The home was built in 1915 of the local tufa stone.  Furnished in period pieces, antiques and heirlooms, the Bonelli House is operated by the Mohave County Historical Society and visits are arranged through the Mohave Museum of History and Arts.  Located at 430 E. Spring Street in Kingman, AZ.

Colorado River Historical Museum

Dedicated to preserving the history of the tri-state area (Arizona, California and Nevada), the museum is housed in the 1947 building which was erected for the workers who built Davis Dam.  Exhibits and collections include Indian artifacts, an Indian village display, memorabilia of Bullhead City, the building of Davis Dam, Fort Mojave, old documents, photographs and more.  Located on Highway 95 just north of the Laughlin Bridge in Bullhead City, AZ.

Downtown Kingman Historic Walking Tour

Explore over 60 buildings listed on the National Historic Register in downtown Kingman, AZ.  The walking tour map is available at the Powerhouse Welcome Center

Kingman Army Airfield Museum  [Photos]

Used for training during WWII, the airfield is today a museum which preserves the history of this much used airfield and is one of the few places where you can see the B17 Bombers and other antique airplanes.  Located at 4540 Flightline Dr. in Kingman, AZ.

Mohave Museum of History and Arts  [Photos]

Preserving and presenting the history of NW Arizona through words and photography.  Located at 400 W. Beale Street in Kingman, AZ.

Route 66 Museum

The Kingman Powerhouse served Kingman, Arizona from 1907 throuth 1938 when the coming of the Hoover Dam which produces cheaper power made it obsolete.  Today the building has been saved for it's historical significance and is now known as the Route 66 Museum.  Stop in to learn about the historical evolution of travel along the famed Route 66.... often referred to the "Mother Road".

120 W. Route 66 in Kingman, AZ.

Fort Apache Historic Park

Featuring the White Mountain Cultural Center and Museum which is housed in a structure made to resemble a gowa (the Apache traditional holy home), this is the place to learn of the culture of the American Apache Indians.  The Apache Tribe has an impressive and growing archives which includes historic documents, manuscripts and photos.  The historic district offers 27 historic buildings for visitors to explore.  Located on the Fort Apache Reservation.  For 24 hour information, call 928-338-4525.

Margaret McCleve Log Cabin

This historical log cabin was built in 1884.  Home to Margaret McCleve Hancock and husband Mosiah.  She was well known as a midwife in the Taylor, Arizona area where she delivered over 1500 babies.  Located at the corner of Main Street and Willow Lane in Taylor, AZ.

Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park

Shumway School

A brick one room schoolhouse built in 1904.  Now restored, names of early students are carved in the brick walls.  Located on State Route 77 in Taylor, AZ.

Stinson Pioneer Museum

A museum dedicated to the preservation and display of historical artifacts and photos from the pioneer days in Snowflake, Arizona.  Located at 102 N. 1st Street E in Snowflake, AZ.

Taylor Pioneer Museum

Housed in a 1930 home, the museum tells the story of the pioneer days of Taylor, Arizona through display and artifacts. 

14 South 400 East in Taylor, AZ.

White Mountain Apache Culture Center & Museum

[Map and Directions]

This museum has been telling the story of the Apache Tribe for almost 40 years.  Learn about the Apache heritage while viewing arts which are available for purchase.  Admission to the Culture Center includes admission to the Kinishba Ruins National Historic Landmark. 

Colossal Cave Mountain Park  

[History Timeline]   [Virtual Tour]   [Museums]

I have visited this cave sometime in the mid 1980s.  What I recall is a road leading to this place that seemed like a roller coaster.  The caves were wonderful and the history of robbers and Indians made it feel adventurous.  If you like caves, these are great.  Since the time I visited, they have added some museums in the area.  La Posta Quemada Ranch Museum which focuses on the history of the Cienega Corridor and Colossal Cave Mountain Park.  You will also find a museum dedicated to the CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps) who undertook the Colossal Cave project in 1934 and helped to make it what it is today.

Manning House   [History]

San Agustin de Tucson Archaeology & History

Bob Jones Museum   [History of Superior]

Featuring exhibits related to local history, the collection includes photographs, mining equipment, historical artifacts and geological samples.  A favorite exhibit is the life sized miner.  Located at 3031 E. Manor Drive in Phoenix, AZ. 

Superstition Mountain Museum

Wells Fargo History Museum at Phoenix, AZ

Featuring the history of the Butterfield line with artifacts, stagecoaches, telegraph exhibits and an art gallery with Western artworks of N.C. Wyeth, the museum is located at 100 W. Washington Street in Phoenix, AZ.

World's Smallest Museum

A working mission still today, visitors are welcome to view this historical vision of beauty.  Located at 1950 W. San Xavier Road in Tucson, AZ.

Tumacacori National Historic Park  [Park Tour and Photos]

Explore the mission church, cemetery and grounds while learning of the first Europeans who settled in Arizona and the Native Americans who lived there.

Fort Verde State Historic Park

Mine Museum and Gift Shop

Sharlot Hall Museum  [Virtual Tour]

Sedona Heritage Museum   [History]

Sanguinetti House Museum

Built in the 1870s, the home was sold to E. F. Sanguinetti in 1890.  The family created a beautiful Italian oasis which included bird aviaries.  The aviaries are still maintained today and there are displays and exhibits related to the history of the lower Colorado River area.

240 Madison Avenue in Yuma, AZ.

Yuma Territorial Prison State Historic Park

Erected in 1876 by the inmates who occupied it.  Imprisoning over 3000 prisoners during it's 33 years of existance, the prison today is a historic site offering tours.  Special events sometimes provide re-enactments and living history exhibits.  Located at 1 Prison Hill Road off I-8 in Yuma, AZ.

Museum Index for Other States

Arizona Census Records