National Register of Historic Places

Old Library Building

Tucson, Pima County, Arizona
Listed
November 28, 1979
Type
Building
Period
Industrial
Ref No.
79000422

About this property

The Arizona State Museum (ASM), founded in 1893, was originally a repository for the collection and protection of archaeological resources. Today, however, ASM stores artifacts, exhibits them and provides education and research opportunities. It was formed by authority of the Arizona Territorial Legislature. The museum is operated by the University of Arizona, and is located on the university campus in Tucson. Native peoples have existed in the North American continent for more than ten millennia. ASM investigates habitations, lifeways, art and communication in which these peoples in the Southwest engaged. Museum staff investigate archaeological sites of past occupiers of North America to discover how people lived, what they ate, what they wore and how they created their art. These people lived day-to-day, created homesites and villages that, in many cases, have crumbled or been destroyed by natural forces. An early and significant director of the museum, Emil W. Haury, conducted numerous archaeological excavations in the Southwest and taught students and others about his methods and discoveries. The museum has been closed to the public since August 2024 due to "outdated and faulty electrical and plumbing systems, HVAC, fire alarms, smoke detectors, and sprinkler systems" in the Raymond H. Thompson Building which houses the museum. ASM holds artifacts created by cultures from the past as well as those presently active. The types of artifacts include pottery, jewelry, baskets, textiles and clothing. Archaeological objects were unearthed during excavations by museum staff and others. Ethnological items (those not acquired from excavation) have been donated by Native American tribes, acquired from individuals, as well as purchased by ASM. Furthermore, the Arizona State Museum possesses a vast photographic collection, containing more than 350,000 prints, negatives, and transparencies illustrating the prehistory and ethnology of the American Southwest and northern Mexico (ASM Photographic Collection).. This number of photographic materials does not include the growing digital collection that the museum continues to develop. Noteworthy photographers in this collection includes Forman Hanna, Emil Haury, Helga Teiwes, and Greenville Goodwin. ASM continuously exhibits the objects it holds. A list of current and upcoming exhibits can be found here: https://statemuseum.arizona.edu/exhibits In addition to engaging university students through classroom, laboratory, and field instruction, ASM offers a full calendar of public programs celebrating the ancient indigenous and enduring Native cultures of the region, sharing its expertise and collections with visitors of all ages through exhibits, school programs, lectures, hands-on activities, workshops, and travel tours.

Location

Tucson, Pima County, Arizona
32.23240, -110.95565

Categories

EDUCATIONARCHITECTURE
National Register nomination ›
Sources

Property data from the National Register of Historic Places, National Park Service (public domain).

Description adapted from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

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Overview
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The Land
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Geology
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LiDAR Terrain
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Conflict & War
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The Civil War
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The Soldiers
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Native Heritage
The Native nations who held this land, mapped across time from before European contact to today.
Settlement
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The Community
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Nearby Historic Sites

Old Main, University of Arizona
Civil War
0.1 mi
University of Arizona Campus Historic District
Listed
0.2 mi
Cannon, Dr. William Austin, House
Industrial
0.3 mi
Smith, Professor George E. P., House
Industrial
0.3 mi
West University Historic District (Additional Documentation)
Listed
0.3 mi

Questions about this property

When was Old Library Building listed on the National Register?

Old Library Building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on November 28, 1979.

What type of historic resource is Old Library Building?

Old Library Building is classified as a building in the National Register of Historic Places.

What is the period of significance for Old Library Building?

The period of significance for Old Library Building is recorded as the industrial era.

Can I research the history near Old Library Building?

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