Tempe History Museum

I have been coming here for 20 + years as our go-to library is just next door. The museum is relatively small. It has different exhibits throughout the year and includes interesting fun facts about the history of Tempe. The exhibits feature some different displays of ancient history and Native American history. The displays feature a modern history of the city, buildings, local favorite eateries, and businesses. It's a great place for people and families of all ages. Admission is free but be kind and drop some money in the donation box. There is also a little shop that has a good selection of gifts & trinkets at the entrance/exit

Friends and I went to the kickoff of the history museum's Fall 2024 exhibit, Wild West Tempe. The friendly, knowledge staff was quick to share stories of Tempe's past. It is not a large museum, but it is a definitely a quality one. If you love learning about the history of The Valley of the Sun and specially the town of Tempe, you will find a stop here worthwhile. It also has several children's educational play areas too if your bring your child or grandchild.

A great little museum that's in the same location as the Tempe library (next door building). They have different exhibits quarterly or a few times a year and they're always interesting. Admission is free and it's open Tuesday through Saturdays 10-5. Closed Sundays and Mondays. Currently there's an exhibit on the Old West and it's full of nifty artifacts and memorabilias from the past. A great way for kids to learn by seeing actual historical items and reading and the experiences of people in the past. The staff is friendly and helpful, and the place is clean. It's sad but the outdoors little park/walkways area sometimes have a few homeless people who slept on the benches overnight, but they keep to themselves and don't bother anyone. The museum also has several permanent exhibits about life in AZ, like how to survive the desert (water usage and conservation) and there's a college town section about ASU with a campus corner. Overall, we love coming to this little museum when we visit this area and discovering what new things they've put up that my kids and we can learn about. There's always something new to learn after all. Always learning.

Tempe is my hometown and I am embarrassed to say that I have never been here. Even after all those years of checking out books at the nearby library. But I am happy that I finally discovered this place. Tempe History Museum was founded by Tempe Historical Society in 1972 and is now operated by the city of Tempe. The cool thing about this museum is that admission is free! Here at Tempe History Museum you can learn about Tempe's rich past history and how the city has grown to be what it is today. There are old exhibits, photographs, and artifacts that you can look at. There are also events that you can attend. I spent all my years growing up at Tempe public schools. I graduated from Arizona State University and have seen all the growth and changes this city has gone through. I still remember the day that they first started filling up Tempe Town Lake in 1997. I haven't lived in Tempe in quite some time, but still enjoy dining and attending sporting events here. The museum has a fun exhibit that shows the old uniforms from ASU's early days. Things have changed so much since they were called Tempe Normal School.What brought me to Tempe History Museum was their most recent "Tempe Signs" limited exhibit. I'm a big foodie and have ate and drank at many of Tempe's restaurants and bars over the past few decades. Monti's, House of Tricks, Rúla Búla, Macayo's Depot Cantina - it was fun seeing all these old signs of my favorite hangout spots that are now closed. My parents banked at Valley National Bank and that sign brought back old memories. Tempe History Museum has hosted other limited exhibits like "Trains of Tempe" and "Legend City".If you can't visit Tempe History Museum, check out their website and watch their YouTube channel or listen to their Spotify playlist. Tempe History Museum is closed on Sundays, Mondays and on holidays.

Tempe History Museum is located near the Tempe Library. The same parking lots may be used for the museum as for the library. The buildings are separated by a paved outdoor corridor. Admission to the Tempe History Museum is paid at a donation drop box at the beginning of the museum floor. The museum packs a lot into a small space. This is done without making the area look crowded. High ceilings help make the space feel light and open. There is so much information about Tempe. Everything from the city's early days until today. Walk around and look at all the visuals. Each has a blurb of information. The visuals are impactful enough that even littles who don't want to wait for the explanations will get something. This museum does a good job of trying to be interesting to everyone. Speaking of littles, this museum is very child friendly. There is a toddler corner. Two different vehicles may be climbed on. Put on a performance. Easy costumes and a velvet curtain put children's imagination center stage. There is even a pint-sized football arena. There is a small giftshop area located in the lobby. Giftshop merchandise is primarily desert themed items. There are some items that are Tempe specific. Profits help support the museum.

A really small, but enjoyable history museum focusing on the founding and history of Tempe. Admission is free and there is a lot of information to read and learn, as well as interactive exhibits for the younger visitors. Parking is also plentiful and close by. It is very small, as mentioned, so I left with many unanswered questions, but I can't complain too much considering it's free admission. However, if there was a charge to enter I don't feel it would be worth it.

Great little museum full of awesome Tempe 'blast from the past' memorabilia and fun facts! Donations encouraged. Can spend hours if you really are curious!

Moseyed here after visiting the Tempe Public Library next door, and was surprised to find this gem. Learn about Tempe, from the Hohokam people, later settlers, canals and waterworks (woo urban planning), ASU, what it is today, and more. I pleasantly surprised to see the Humans of Tempe exhibit, which highlighted some diversity I didn't know was present in the area. There is also a small interactive section for kids to play in, if your little ones get distracted.If you're setting up your library card, stop on by! If you're bored on weekend, stop on by! If you want to learn more about Tempe, stop on by!

Free and quick museum with a tiny gift shop as well! Great for kids and adults alike. I went for about 35 minutes and did some basic learning about my new town, Tempe! There's information about the founding of the town, the ancient culture of the Hohokam people, ASU, and present-day living. Here are some fun facts:1- the ancient culture that existed in Arizona for 1000 years was the Hohokam. Their descendants today are the Papago and the Pima ppl. They built the largest irrigation system in prehistoric North America with only digging sticks and baskets. 2- they left bc of droughts, floods, warfare, and social conflicts in the 1300s. 3- casa grande was a major Hohokam settlement, but abandoned in 1450. 4- Tempe was so green and lush that it was named after a beautiful Greek valley. 5- Tempe was an ideal crossing point on the river so there was a constant stream of freight wagons moving goods. 6-alfalfa was the leading crop. 7- Charles Hayden built the first flour mill in 1874 and a ferry boat, aka Hayden's ferry today. 8- Roosevelt Dam was the network of dams and reservoirs, today known as SRP. 9- Mill Avenue is Tempe's first paved street in 1919, named after Winchester Miller, Tempe's first constable. 10- ASU was initially a cow pasture and its color is gold to represent treasure and sunshine.

Good place to go in the summertime if you are in the area and have an hour to spare. It's free and there is semi-covered parking (solar panels). I was surprised they had a fairly large section of the museum dedicated to Cesar Chavez and migrant workers. That's something you don't necessarily think of and perhaps take for granted. There's some fun things for the kids to keep their attention for a few minutes. Well done! I will be back.