History of the Museum

The Tempe Historical Museum (now Tempe History Museum) was founded by the Tempe Historical Society and opened to the public in the east wing of the Tempe Public Library in 1972. In 1984, the museum became a division of the City of Tempe’s Community Services Department.

In the following year, a bond issue was approved and work began on converting the entire library building into a new museum. The Tempe Historical Museum opened its new doors to the public on June 15, 1991.

In 2006, Tempe voters once again approved a bond that would fund a major renovation of the museum. The new "Tempe History Museum" is currently under construction and will open to the public in Spring 2010.

The museum also operates the Petersen House Museum, a restored Queen Anne Victorian house built by one of Tempe's pioneers in 1892.