Permanent Exhibits

Our permanent exhibits explore Southern Arizona's vibrant history and celebrate the diverse inhabitants who call the Santa Cruz River Valley home.

A top-down view of a 19th century type case, with small metal letters for use in a printing press.

1885 Washington Press

Built in Ohio and shipped across the country to Tubac, this press printed Arizona's first newspaper and still operates to this day.

A close-up image of archaeological remains, with exhibit labels pointing out different layers revealed through excavation.

Stairway to the Past

Descend underground to come face to face with the layers of Tubac's history, as revealed in a 1974 archaeological excavation.

A low angle image of a replica of a 19th century covered wagon. It is in the interior of a building, and mounted on the surrounding walls are numerous oil paintings.

1850s Ambulance

Used for travel rather than for medical uses, this restored wagon demonstrates the historic ingenuity that took Americans across the frontier.

A close-up image of an exhibit about the Tohono O'odham culture, with various displays of pottery and carved shell jewelry.

Ancestral O'odham

Developed in partnership with Tohono O'odham cultural leaders, this exhibit celebrates the tribe's history, heritage, and vision for the future.

A view of a museum hallway, with exhibits on either side of the view and at the end of the hall. In the mid-ground is a tabletop display of a 19th century map.

Colonial & Territorial Arizona

Trace your way through Arizona's history, from Native American settlement, to Spanish Colonization, and the long road to statehood in these unique exhibits.

A low angle view of an arrastra, a historic tool used for grinding. In the background is a patio filled with tables, chairs, and various historic tools.

Living History Patio

Explore the tools, trades, and technology of early settlers throughout Arizona's history, including a functioning Arrastra.

The World on Your Table

Opened August 30, 2024

Imagine your last meal shared with friends. It may have been a holiday dinner, a backyard BBQ, or a quick lunch from a local food truck. No matter the occasion, the origins of every ingredient can be traced to an intricate system of trade that circumnavigates the globe.

The food we eat and how we get it is influenced by heritage, culture, environments, politics, weather, and industry.

Every time you pick up your fork – you are literally eating the world.

An image of a woman thoughtfully reading an exhibit, which contains images and props of various foods and a reading rail with interactive elements.

Generously funded by a grant from the Santa Cruz Valley National Heritage Area, this experience provides a holistic look into how the natural resources of this region and the movement of people over time have resulted in the unique Southwestern food that we know and love. Trace the path of ingredients into Tubac in the exhibit, then go out into our Spanish Garden and Rojas House Huerta to see those ingredients grow.

Permanent Exhibits

The World on Your Table

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