Yuma Territorial Prison State Historic Park [AZ]

Description

The Yuma Territorial Prison State Historic Park preserves Arizona Territory's first prison, in use between 1876 and 1909. Visitors can see the solitary chamber and original strap iron holding cells. The site presents information on the prison itself, the prison lifestyle, and a selection of the 3,069 prisoners to have been housed there. The most common crime represented within the prison body was grand larceny. The site offered prisoners a library, an electrically powered ventilation system, and electric lighting.

The site offers exhibits, interpretive signs, junior ranger activities, and a picnic area.

McFarland State Historic Park [AZ] Anonymous (not verified) Tue, 01/08/2008 - 13:38
Description

McFarland State Historic Park contains an 1878 courthouse, which displays the transition between Sonoran and Anglo-American architecture. Between 1891 and 1938, the structure was used as a county hospital. The site also served as a jail in the late 1800s. The site interprets Arizona Territory history and law enforcement.

The park offers exhibits, period rooms, guided walking tours of the Florence historic district, archival access, courtroom talks for students, guided building tours for students, and picnic areas.

The park is currently closed while exhibits are being changed.

Bisbee Mining and Historical Museum and Muheim Heritage House Museum [AZ]

Description

The Bisbee Mining and Historical Museum, housed in the former corporate headquarters of the Copper Queen Consolidated Mining Company, interprets the rise of the copper mining industry in the region. The Museum also maintains the Muheim Heritage House Museum, an 1898 home restored to its turn-of-the-century state.

The museum offers exhibits and research library access; the Muheim Heritage House offers tours.

Hall of Flame Museum of Firefighting [AZ]

Description

The Hall of Flame Museum of Firefighting is located in Phoenix, Arizona, and is one of the nation's largest firefighting museums. The museum has over 90 pieces of firefighting equipment on display, and is home to the National Hall of Firefighting Heroes, where firefighters who have died in the line of duty or who were decorated for heroism are honored.

The museum offers exhibits and guided tours. The website offers basic visitor information

Pioneer Living History Village [AZ]

Description

The Pioneer Living History Village is a 90-acre living history 1800s town. Structures are either period or reproductions based on historical research. Sights include an opera house in which Lilly Langtry (1853-1929), famed English actress and beauty, once sang; the childhood home of Henry Fountain Ashurst (1874-1962), one of the first Senators of Arizona; and a circa 1880 cabin which survived an Apache raid.

The museum offers period rooms, demonstrations, living history interpreters, and re-enactments. The museum is closed on rainy days.

Tombstone Courthouse State Historic Park [AZ] Anonymous (not verified) Tue, 01/08/2008 - 13:36
Description

The Tombstone Courthouse State Historic Park is located in the Tombstone, the seat of Cochise County. Built in 1882, the structure was designed in the Victorian style and once house the offices of the sheriff, recorder, treasurer, and board of supervisors, as well as the jail and courtrooms of Cochise County. Today, the structure serves as a museum of law enforcement in the wild west.

The courthouse offers guided tours and exhibits on law in the wild west and local history. The website offers visitor information, a calendar of events, and a history of the structure and of Tombstone.

Apache County Historical Society [AZ]

Description

The Apache County Historical Society chronicles the history of Apache County, from the original Indian tribes, through the pioneers in the 1880s, up to the modern day. The society runs a local history museum, which serves to showcase the society's holdings.

The museum offers exhibits, guided tours, and presentations. The website offers basic visitor information.

Fort Verde State Historic Park [AZ]

Description

The Fort Verde State Historic Park commemorates Fort Verde, which was in use between 1865 to 1891, rendering it an Indian Wars period fortification. By 1865, area settlers had demanded protection from the local Native American peoples, and the Army responded by sending volunteer units—almost entirely of Mexican heritage. A number of original structures still stand. Visitors can enter three historic living quarters (those of the commanding officer, bachelors, and the doctors and surgeons), furnished in the style of the 1880s.

The park offers exhibits, period rooms, an introductory film, and a picnic area.

Newton County Historical Society [AZ]

Description

The Newton County Historical Society seeks to preserve and share the history of Newton County, Arizona. To this end, the society operates a museum and genealogical library with records from Newton and surrounding counties. Collections include the original post office boxes from the local post office, the county's first telephone switchboard, Native American artifacts, historical photographs, farming tools, and furniture.

The society offers museum exhibits.

Jerome Historical Society and Mine Museum [AZ]

Description

The Jerome Historical society seeks to preserve and share the history of Jerome, Arizona, once known as the “Wickedest Town in The West.” To this end, the society operates a museum and an archival collection. The museum presents local history through displays covering mining history; gambling; the Chinese, Slavs, Italians, Russians, Mexicans, and Irish in Jerome; and other topics. Collection highlights include mining equipment and a Colt pistol used by Marshal Johnny Hudgens.

The society offers exhibits and archival access.