La Casa Cordova: A Window into Tucson's Past

La Casa Cordova, located in the heart of Tucson's El Presidio neighborhood, stands as a testament to the city's rich history. Built in the mid-1840s, it began as a modest two- or three-room adobe structure. In 1879, Gabino Ortego and his wife expanded the home, adding three rooms along Meyer Avenue. The Cordova family acquired the home in 1934, and it is named after Maria Navarette Cordova, who lived there until 1973.La Casa Cordova offers visitors a unique opportunity to step back in time and experience the atmosphere of a 19th-century Tucson home. The house showcases the architectural style of the Spanish-Mexican and early American periods, with its thick adobe walls and simple design. Inside, a series of installations and interpretive exhibitions highlight the diverse histories, businesses, and families of downtown Tucson, including Barrio Presidio.Exhibits within La Casa Cordova include Maria Luisa Tena's El Nacimiento, the largest and longest-running nativity scene in the Southwest, and Vivamos Siempre Como Hermanos, created by Feng-Feng Yeh and The Chinese Chorizo Project. The building itself has undergone several renovations, most recently in 2024, to stabilize its exterior and preserve it for future generations. La Casa Cordova reopened to the public on November 10, 2024, as part of the Tucson Museum of Art's Centennial Block Party.