Arizona State Museum: Preserving Southwest Heritage

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Explore the ancient and enduring cultures of the Southwest at the Arizona State Museum, home to world-renowned collections of pottery and basketry.

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Arizona State Museum

The Arizona State Museum (ASM), established in 1893 on the University of Arizona campus, is the oldest and largest anthropological research museum in the U.S. Southwest. It safeguards and showcases the region's rich cultural and archaeological heritage, with a focus on the Native cultures of Arizona, the American Southwest, and northwest Mexico.

A brief summary to Arizona State Museum

1013 E University Blvd, Tucson, University of Arizona, Arizona, 85721, US
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From Eve

Know before you go

Hi, I'm Eve. Here are a few practical things to know before exploring Arizona State Museum.

Check the Arizona State Museum website for updates on the reopening of exhibits and available online resources.
Consider exploring the museum's online exhibits and virtual tours during the closure.
If visiting the University of Arizona campus, be aware of parking regulations and rates.

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Getting There

Walking

The Arizona State Museum is located on the University of Arizona campus at the northeast corner of Park Avenue and University Boulevard. From anywhere on campus, follow signs towards the Main Gate. The museum is just inside the gate on your right.
Public Transport

Sun Tran Bus Route #1 stops right in front of ASM on Park Ave, just north of University Blvd. The Sun Link Modern Streetcar's closest stops to ASM are at University and Tyndall (northeast bound) and Second and Park (southwest bound). Check the Sun Tran website for routes, times, and fare information. A single ride on Sun Tran or the Streetcar costs $1.75.
Parking

The closest garage parking is available at the Main Gate Garage (815 E. Second Street) or the Tyndall Avenue Garage (880 E. 4th Street), both accessible from Euclid Avenue. Hourly rates are $2/hour. Payments are taken at Exit Gates and Pay Stations 24/7 with Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, Apple Pay, Google Pay. You can also pay via the Passport Mobile app.

Discover more about Arizona State Museum

The Arizona State Museum, a Smithsonian affiliate, boasts an impressive collection of over 2 million artifacts, including the world's largest collections of Southwest Indian pottery and American Indian basketry. These collections, some dating back thousands of years, have earned the distinction of being recognized as American Treasures.The museum's exhibits and programs explore the ancient and enduring Indigenous cultures of the region. Through exhibits, tours, and online resources, ASM provides educational opportunities for visitors of all ages. The museum also houses a research library and archives, open to the public, specializing in the archaeology, ethnology, and ethnohistory of the Southwest and northern Mexico.ASM's mission extends beyond preservation and exhibition. Museum staff actively investigate archaeological sites, studying the lifeways, art, and communication of past inhabitants of the region. ASM also serves as the official archaeological repository for the State of Arizona.**Important Note:** As of August 1, 2024, the Arizona State Museum's exhibits are closed to the public for an extended period (two to three years) while the 100-year-old North Building undergoes extensive maintenance and upgrades. However, the museum continues to offer online exhibits and programs.