Arizona Historical Society Weighs Future Of Two Tucson Sites

TUCSON, AZ — The Arizona Historical Society will vote Friday on whether to cut funding to several historic sites in the state, including two in Tucson. The vote comes after years of state funding cuts and financial losses due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The future of Fort Lowell and the Downtown Historic Museum in Tucson will be up for debate at the society's board meeting, as will Riordan Mansion State Park in Flagstaff. None of the three sites are owned by the historical society but they are operated in partnership with other organizations. Fort Lowell is owned by the city of Tucson and the Downtown Historic Museum is owned by Wells Fargo Bank, as the museum is housed in its downtown building. All remain closed to the public.

A spokesperson for the Arizona Historical Society said its financial situation was "tenuous" prior to the coronavirus pandemic. It has been compounded by recent events, prompting Friday's vote.

“The Arizona Historical Society, like thousands of arts and cultural institutions across the country, has been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic," the spokesperson told Patch in an email. "The extended museum closures have resulted in a devastating loss of revenue from operations."

The arts and culture sector has certainly felt the pandemic’s impact, as much of the industry has yet to reopen after shutting down in the spring. The Brookings Institution estimates that 2.7 million jobs and more than $150 billion in sales will be lost in creative industries around the country. While large cities like New York City or Los Angeles may carry the bulk of those losses, smaller cities like Tucson will feel the effects at a higher percentage, the report said.

In addition to operating several historic sites with other organizations, the society owns six historic buildings and two large museums outright. Financial support the organization typically relies on has dried up in recent months. After reviewing the financials for all three sites, the idea of dissolving the partnerships was floated by the executive committee and will be decided by the State Board of Directors.

“These historic properties are an important part of Arizona history, and they hold a special place in the hearts of many Arizonans," the spokesperson continued. "We have been honored to operate these museums in partnership with each of these entities.”

Representatives for Fort Lowell and the Downtown Historic Museum could not be reached for comment.

Fort Lowell was a U.S. Army outpost in Tucson in the late 1800s. The ruins were handed over to the city of Tucson in 2006 and turned into a museum. It hosts exhibits about military life on the Arizona frontier when the now-state was just a territory. The Downtown Historic Museum is home to historic artifacts and tells the story of Tucson’s evolution from Spanish fort to modern city. The museum has been hosting virtual events as it remains closed to the public.

It is unclear what losing the historical society's funding might mean for either site.