We will serve 50 to 75 children (Ages 5 – 18)
Students Will Get: FREE Swim Bag, Flip flops, Goggles, Swim Towels, and Free Lessons! Historically…. Children of Color were not allowed to swim due to racial prejudice. Let’s work on changing that! Lessons take place at The University’s Student Recreation Center Pool on 6th Street. Certified swim instructors will instruct the children.
For information or to register, scan the QR code!
Video production by AAMSAZ
After the combined efforts of our Executive Director Beverely, interns, and volunteers, our virtual tour is now live!
Even if you’re unable to visit the museum in person, we invite you to explore the incredible history of African Americans in Southern Arizona through our virtual tour.
For the best viewing experience, we recommend using the latest version of Chrome or Firefox browser on a computer or laptop. To enhance your experience, please switch to full-screen mode and select 4K quality for optimal image quality. While watching the video, feel free to drag your mouse or adjust the angle to view the entire museum.
If you have a VR headset, you can immerse yourself in the tour and feel like you’re truly here with us!
Virtual Tour Presenter: Beverely Elliott/Emma Márquez Peterson/Mingde Li/Jenny Li/Melora Hutcheson
Virtual Tour Producer: Mingde Li & Jenny Li
Margaret Campbell’s Niece, Cornelia, who lives in Georgia, contacted the museum, to share this wonderful herstory.
Mrs. Margaret Campbell was the first female African American novelist published in Arizona. She published her book, Iba the Dawn, which is available in UA Special Collections. She lived in the South Park neighborhood at Santa Rita and 29th Street in an underground home. Mrs. Campbell began digging to build the foundation in her home by herself and brought in workmen to complete the job. Her home had three floors, one of which housed a piano. She spoke five languages and gave piano lessons to neighborhood children.
Video recorded by Margaret Campbell’s Niece, Cornelia
After the combined efforts of our Executive Director Beverely, interns, and volunteers, our virtual tour is now live!
Even if you’re unable to visit the museum in person, we invite you to explore the incredible history of African Americans in Southern Arizona through our virtual tour.
For the best viewing experience, we recommend using the latest version of Chrome or Firefox browser on a computer or laptop. To enhance your experience, please switch to full-screen mode and select 4K quality for optimal image quality. While watching the video, feel free to drag your mouse or adjust the angle to view the entire museum.
If you have a VR headset, you can immerse yourself in the tour and feel like you’re truly here with us!
Virtual Tour Presenter: Beverely Elliott/Emma Márquez Peterson/Mingde Li/Jenny Li/Melora Hutcheson
Virtual Tour Producer: Mingde Li & Jenny Li
Video produced by Jenny Li
After the combined efforts of our Executive Director Beverely, interns, and volunteers, our virtual tour is now live!
Even if you’re unable to visit the museum in person, we invite you to explore the incredible history of African Americans in Southern Arizona through our virtual tour.
For the best viewing experience, we recommend using the latest version of Chrome or Firefox browser on a computer or laptop. To enhance your experience, please switch to full-screen mode and select 4K quality for optimal image quality. While watching the video, feel free to drag your mouse or adjust the angle to view the entire museum.
If you have a VR headset, you can immerse yourself in the tour and feel like you’re truly here with us!
Virtual Tour Presenter: Beverely Elliott/Emma Márquez Peterson/Mingde Li/Jenny Li/Melora Hutcheson
Virtual Tour Producer: Mingde Li & Jenny Li
Video narrated by Dr. Michael Engs
Video edited by Jenny Li (AAMSAZ)
After the combined efforts of our Executive Director Beverely, interns, and volunteers, our virtual tour is now live!
Even if you’re unable to visit the museum in person, we invite you to explore the incredible history of African Americans in Southern Arizona through our virtual tour.
For the best viewing experience, we recommend using the latest version of Chrome or Firefox browser on a computer or laptop. To enhance your experience, please switch to full-screen mode and select 4K quality for optimal image quality. While watching the video, feel free to drag your mouse or adjust the angle to view the entire museum.
If you have a VR headset, you can immerse yourself in the tour and feel like you’re truly here with us!
Virtual Tour Presenter: Beverely Elliott/Emma Márquez Peterson/Mingde Li/Jenny Li/Melora Hutcheson
Virtual Tour Producer: Mingde Li & Jenny Li
Video narrated by Dr. Michael Engs
Video production by Mingde & Jenny Li (AAMSAZ)
On September 14th, we were excited that Ex. Dir. Beverely (AAMSAZ) collaborated with Mission Garden, Geico, TUSD’s Booth Fickett K8 (Ms. Parish, Ms.Bray and Jeff Sawyer), The UA School Gardens Workshop, and The Tucson Chapter of the Links, Incorporated to develop a STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering and the Arts and Math) education program.
This program engaged 4th and 5th-grade students in a unique learning experience.
As part of this program, the museum provided terra cotta pots for the children to decorate, promoting creativity and the arts. Students also learned practical math skills by measuring the circumference and diameter of their pots.
Thanks to the U of A School Garden Program, students received an Almanac to enhance their understanding of science. Additionally, Geico generously provided SWAG items, including water bottles and sunglasses, allowing students to explore the science of hydration.
The program introduced students to the science of companion planting, emphasizing the importance of diverse plant interactions in gardening.
To further enrich their experience, students toured the gardens and learned about their historic significance, integrating technology into their learning journey.
The program included a cooking and tasting demonstration, where students had the opportunity to savor the herbs and vegetables they had planted.
Thank you Dr. Jason R. Jurjevich of the University of Arizona.
We were honored to have played a small part in this grant.
The importance of housing equity cannot be overstated, as it lies at the heart of various social and economic challenges facing the United States. This issue is closely tied to historical and ongoing systemic racism, and it has far-reaching implications for individuals, communities, and society as a whole.
Why housing equity is crucial:
Narrated by Dene Wallace
Video by African American Museum of Southern Arizona
Dene Wallace is an Arizona native, born in Nogales, Arizona, in the 1950s. While Dene has her own compelling story, her passion lies in preserving the memory of her mother’s extraordinary life, that of Mildred Eveline Simpson Bennett. Mrs. Bennett was a distinguished educator, a tireless Civil Rights activist, and a revered leader in the Nogales community.
According to the photos generously provided by her daughter, Dene, it becomes evident that these young ladies, and many others, were fortunate students of Mrs. Bennett. These pictures were submitted during a 1994 reunion held in Nogales to honor the legacy of Mrs. Bennett. Notably, the majority of these photographs feature the children of Buffalo soldiers, reflecting their unique heritage as they had Black fathers and Hispanic mothers.
Among these cherished images, there are a few capturing children who were actually siblings of Mrs. Bennett herself, further highlighting the deep impact of her teaching legacy. Mrs. Bennett’s influence extended far and wide, leaving an indelible mark on the lives she touched.
Copyright © 2023, African American Museum of Southern Arizona. All Rights Reserved. No image, sound or text from this site can be used without the expressed written permission of the museum’s Board of Directors.
On August 15, 2023, members from Cox Communications, who are one of our Legacy Founder Investors, were presented with a gift from the African American Museum of Southern Arizona. The Buffalo Soldier Statuette was designed by local artist Quin Davis. We are grateful to Lisa Lovallo, Alfredo Prince, Autumn Van Den Berg, Chris, Trevor, and Natasha Gamboa! You all are simply… talented, amazing, and so supportive. Thank you!
Website by AAMSAZ
Logo Design by Felicia Penza -feliciapenza@gmail.com
Museum is located on the Campus of the University of Arizona
Student Union Room 244
(1303 E University Blvd, Tucson, AZ 85719)
Park in the 2nd Street Garage
