Education
Tubac Presidio State Historic Park and Museum
The Tubac Presidio is a central site in the history of the Native-American, Spanish, American Southwest, and the quintessential Arizona experience in the town "where art and history meet.” Our Park allows you to explore this spectacular history, bringing relevance and the power of history to today’s global society. We are so grateful for your support in helping the Presidio continue to serve as a cultural, social, and intellectual hub for Southern Arizona.
Our Exhibits
Tubac Presidio State Historic Park is the home of many firsts: the first fort in Arizona; the first European settlement in Arizona; the first American mining community in Arizona; the first printing of a newspaper in Arizona. Tubac Presidio proudly boasts being the very first Arizona State Park. In addition to a notable museum, Tubac Presidio is home to three historic buildings, all on the National Register of Historic Places. The Park is filled with informative and provocative displays with ever changing special exhibitions. Stories abound with 2,000 years of history including native peoples, Spanish colonials, Mexicans, and United States pioneers.
Our Mission
Our mission is to engage and educate the public by providing culturally enriching experiences that make the past more meaningful while also preserving history and our collection for future generations.
Gift Shop & First-Class Bookstore
We carry many historic books, children’s books, nature and hiking books, artwork, wood carvings, pottery, games, cards, and more.
Book lovers, take heart! Tubac once again has a first-rate bookstore, in the heart of the village. It’s at the Presidio. Our “state park”, operated by local volunteer talent, has featured great green thumb gardeners, front desk greeters, maintenance crew, a bird feeder (human), visiting lecturers, exceptional musicians, and an adequate bookstore.
Adequate, until a couple of retired bookstore managers moved into town, found the Presidio collection, looked around, and went to work. The result is stunning, a first-class bookstore with a focus on the Southwest.
The “Southwest History” section features a collection of 100 plus titles, including Native American and Juan Bautista de Anza tomes, as well as a cavalcade of varied southwestern subjects.
Nature and Environment includes volumes on natural history as well as field guides to birds, mammals, trees, cactus, reptiles, insects, wildflowers and even the sky of the southwest.
The Tubac area claims at least 10 titles, including Patricia Hilpert’s new Historic Tubac, Arizona, illustrated with Roberta Rogers’ exquisite local watercolors, and Nick Bleser’s definitive book on the Tumacacori mission.
Other categories include Hiking and Geology, Local Authors, Biography, Border Issues, Fiction, Southwest Food and Gardens, and Women’s Stories.
The best of Children’s Books makes up the dozens of titles in this category, preselected winners sure to please. Find out, and share, for example, why and what dragons love and fear about tacos!
Visitor Center, Park, and Facility Hours
Wednesday - Sunday
9 am - 5 pm
The last self-guided tour ticket is sold at 4 pm.
Open All Day Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve
The last self-guided tour ticket is sold at 11 am.
Park Fees
Adults (14+): $7.00
Youth (7-13): $2.00
Child (0-6): Free
Social Media
“We had no law but love, and no occupation but labor. No government, no taxes, no public debt, no politics.
It was a community in a perfect state of nature.”
Tubac, AZ
Charles D. Poston, Autobiography
Directions:
Google Maps sometimes displays directions to our park via a neighborhood at Exit #34.
We are located in The Village of Tubac at 1 Burruel Street, which is at the eastern end of Tubac Road.
You cannot access our park through "The Barrio" neighborhood at Exit #34.
After you turn onto Plaza Road where the large "Tubac" sign at the entrance of The Village is located, turn right onto Tubac Road, drive 0.3 miles, and we are located at the intersection of Burruel Street and Tubac Road.
Santa Cruz Valley Heritage Alliance
The Tubac Presidio works with the Santa Cruz Valley Heritage Alliance to promote cultural activities in the Valley.
Click to learn more about this wonderful non profit organization!