Arizona Historical Society Announces Reopening Plans

The Arizona Historical Society is pleased to announce its reopening timeline for the Arizona Heritage Center at Papago Park in Tempe. The reopening includes new policies and procedures for guests, visitors, and staff based on current guidelines from the Arizona Department of Health Services and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The Arizona Heritage Center at Papago Park in Tempe will open Saturday,  June 13, to Members and Tuesday, June 16, to the General Public.

• Saturday, June 13 – Open to Members only
• Tuesday, June 16 – Open to the General Public
• New Museum Hours: Tuesday – Saturday, 10:00 am to 2:00 pm
• Library and Archives: Tuesday-Friday by appointment only, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. Email ahsreference@azhs.gov to schedule an appointment.

Current exhibitions include Current State featuring the work of Thomas “Breeze” Marcus and Still Marching: From Suffrage to #MeToo that examines women’s protest movements during the past century. In addition, guests can enjoy permanent exhibits that explore Arizona history in the twentieth century from Arizona’s role in WWII to the post-war population boom, and beyond.

A few additional updates:

• Museum guests, vendors, and visitors are asked to maintain 6-feet physical distancing in the museums.
• Masks or face coverings for museum guests, vendors, and visitors are highly encouraged but not required. AHS staff will be wearing face coverings.
• The sanitization schedule for public areas and high-touch surfaces has been increased.
• Guests are encouraged to purchase admission online starting on June 12. We encourage the use of credit/debit cards, although cash will be accepted.
• Visits will be limited to 90 minutes, with extensions upon request and availability.
• Drinking fountains will be closed, but guests will be allowed to bring personal water bottles inside museums. Bottled water is also available for purchase.
• Museum Gift Shops will remain temporarily closed through June 30.
• If you are not feeling well, or if you have a fever, we ask that you please stay home. If you purchased admission online, we will work with you to refund your ticket or honor it at a future date.
• For AHS Membership questions, please contact membership@azhs.gov.

The Arizona History Museum in Tucson will also open on the same schedule.

Founded in 1864, the Arizona Historical Society (AHS) is the state’s oldest and most prestigious historical organization, dedicated to collecting, preserving, and sharing Arizona’s rich history. The stories of the people, places, and events that have shaped Arizona – are told through museum exhibits, programs, events, and outreach. The Arizona Historical Society is proud to serve as the steward of Arizona’s history. Our collections, artifact and manuscript holdings offer opportunities for public programming, educational outreach, and exhibitions, as well as academic and community-based research. National History Day in Arizona is a signature program of AHS and a year-long academic program focused on historical research, interpretation, and creative expression for middle school and high school students.