History of the Museum

The Tempe Historical 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.

The museum also operates the Petersen House Museum, a restored Queen Anne Victorian house that used to interpret daily life in Tempe around the turn of the century.