As the quintessential western state, Arizona’s rich and vibrant history is impressively documented at the State Capitol Museum. The numerous exhibits represent an array of topics regarding Arizona’s unique heritage in our nation. Although the buildings which have housed the state’s various government entities have evolved considerably over the past 120 or so years, the original capital building erected in 1901 (when Arizona was still a territory) now serves solely as the museum.
Many of the exhibits focus on the period from territory to statehood and provide a particularly detailed account of those who pioneered the economic and political evolution of Arizona during the early twentieth century. Yet, I found the exhibits about the battleship Arizona sunk during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941 and the displays about the state’s extensive mining history to be among the most interesting ones. The rich deposits of copper, gold, silver, turquoise, and numerous other minerals were largely what attracted non-indigenous settlers to the future state in the first place.
In fact, the dome on the State Capitol building is covered with sheets of copper which have been replaced several times over the decades, most recently in 2022. The museum also contains numerous paintings from many prominent Arizona artists, who have captured the essence of the state’s natural beauty. Another unique collection here is called the “Merci Train” which was sent to the United States by France in the aftermath of World War Two. This train contained a large number of gifts to thank our country for the material assistance provided after the war, in which France had suffered so greatly.
Each state received one of these gift-laden trains, and much of what Arizona received can be seen at the State Capitol Museum, each gift telling a story about the French donors. There are also many vintage objects such as phones and typewriters on display, used by past state governors, legislators, and Arizona’s own Sandra Day O’Connor – who became the first woman to serve as an American Supreme Court justice in 1981. Of course, there are also many exhibits related to the flora and fauna of the state, some of them rarely seen, such as the venomous Gila Monster lizard, or desert plants like the famed Saguaro and Organ Pipe cactus native only to the Sonoran Desert.
Without a doubt, the Arizona State Capitol Museum contains a great deal to see and read about. This is a must visit for anyone who would enjoy learning more about the history of the state, especially about the various native tribes who inhabited the region long before Europeans and others arrived here. To adequately view all of the exhibits and artifacts at the museum, a visitor should plan on spending at least two hours here. Since there are numerous opportunities to take some great photos, that should be factored in when touring the building as well, so two and a half hours might be more realistic. Typically, the site hosts around 70,000 yearly visitors and provides an uncrowded and relaxed touring experience.
For further information, check out the following site: http://www.visitarizona.com
