Tempe
Arizona
Tempe History Museum
Mission Statement
The mission of Tempe History Museum is to be a place where the community comes together to explore Tempe’s past, share its present and imagine its future.
We work together with Tempe’s diverse residents to preserve and tell their stories. The Museum comprehensively explores Tempe history through exhibits, activities, speakers, collections, research services, and programs that captivate, connect with and delight audiences throughout the community and beyond. We embrace the important responsibility of collecting and caring for the artifacts and the written, spoken and pictorial records of Tempe.
Vision and Values
Tempe History Museum is a stimulating public forum acting as a catalyst for lively dialogue.
The Tempe History Museum is a community history museum that explores Tempe’s identity and builds connections between residents and their community. We recognize the power of history to provide insights for making decisions relevant to contemporary and future life in an ever-changing society.
As a community history museum, the Museum staff recognizes that Tempe’s history belongs to the community and it is their responsibility to involve community members in collecting, preserving and sharing those stories with the public. The Museum has a large volunteer workforce that works in all aspects of the Museum’s operation, bringing both their talents and points of view. The staff also works with advisory committees composed of members of the Hispanic, Southeast Asian, Muslim and African American communities. Working with volunteers and advisory committees, curators act as facilitators rather than authoritarian interpreters of history. It is important that the Museum’s operation be inclusive so that all aspects of the community are represented in the Museum’s collections and programs.
The Museum, as a municipal institution, follows the City of Tempe’s values. We adhere to a policy of inclusion that provides open access to all of our facilities, operations, and services.
Upcoming Events at Tempe History Museum
Exhibition - Tempe's Old West: It's Not What You Think
Exhibition - Tempe's Old West: It's Not What You Think
Exhibition - Tempe's Old West: It's Not What You Think
Exhibition - Tempe's Old West: It's Not What You Think
Azure Family Concert with Tetra String Quartet
Exhibition - Tempe's Old West: It's Not What You Think
Exhibition - Tempe's Old West: It's Not What You Think
Exhibition - Tempe's Old West: It's Not What You Think
Exhibition - Tempe's Old West: It's Not What You Think
Exhibition - Tempe's Old West: It's Not What You Think
Exhibition - Tempe's Old West: It's Not What You Think
Exhibition - Tempe's Old West: It's Not What You Think
Lunch Talk: Tempe's Images on Stone by Amy Douglass
Exhibition - Tempe's Old West: It's Not What You Think
Recent News
Tempe History Museum Happenings Newsletter: January 2025
Check out what's coming up at the Tempe History Museum this month! View the full event list below or visit tempe.gov/MuseumEvents for more information. Explore Tempe's Historic Houses With Docent Guided Tours and Self-Paced Open Houses …
Read More »Find Thoughtful Holiday Gifts at Tempe History Museum on Museum Store on Sunday, December 1, 2024
Tempe History Museum invites shoppers to participate in Museum Store Sunday, an annual holiday shopping day supporting cultural institutions and their stores on Sunday, Dec. 1. Enjoy special deals, promotions and light refreshments, plus find…
Read More »Tempe History Museum Newsletter - October 2024
Check out what's coming up at the Tempe History Museum this month! View the full event list below or visit tempe.gov/MuseumEvents for more information. Tempe History Society Lunch Talks Emergence and Evolution: A Celebration of Tempe…
Read More »Tempe History Museum Newsletter - January 2024
Tempe History Museum January News & Events A new year brings a calendar full of engaging discussions, exciting live performances, insightful African American Advisory Committee events and adventures behind the doors of Tempe's most historic…
Read More »Tempe History Museum Newsletter - December 2023
'Tis the season for free events, tours, shopping, music and more! Check out the full list of upcoming events below or visit tempe.gov/MuseumEvents for more information. Christmas at Petersen House Saturdays: Dec. 9 and 16 Sundays: Dec. 10 and 17 …
Read More »Tempe History Museum Newsletter - October 2023
Tempe History Museum October News & Events This month, we're kicking off new seasons of Performances at the Museum, Community Chats and Historic House Open Houses! Check out the full list of upcoming events below or visit…
Read More »Tempe History Museum Newsletter September 2023
Tempe History Society Lunch Talks “Tempe’s Early Presence of Hispanic Leadership” By Dr. Pete Dimas Wednesday, Sept. 13, 11:30 a.m. The founding of Tempe was very much a part of the centuries-old movement of people north…
Read More »Tempe History Museum Newsletter - August 2023
Tempe History Museum August News & Events Get ready for fall events the Tempe History Museum! Check out what's going on at the Museum, from insightful lunchtime talks to the launch of the museum's newest featured exhibit. Check out the…
Read More »Tempe History Museum Newsletter - May 2023
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Read More »Tempe History Museum Newsletter March 2023
Tempe History Museum February News & Events Spring has sprung at the Tempe History Museum! Check out what's going on at the Museum this March, from insightful lunchtime talks to exciting live music performances. Check out the full list of…
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