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Beginning as a 3,000-square-foot room full of Arizona artifacts in May, 1977, the Mesa Southwest Museum is now an 80,000-square-foot facility with a budget of over $1 million. The museum features a multitude of exhibits representing southwestern natural and cultural history.
Although the museum continued to grow throughout the years, the latest and grandest expansion thus far resulted from a 1996 City of Mesa bond election that approved $4.5 million for museum construction. This project was completed in May, 2000, and doubled the museum’s previous display area.
Exhibits for the expansion were funded by the Mesa Southwest Museum Foundation, which raised an additional $4.5 million, and by the Southwest Archaeology Team, the Mesa Southwest Museum Guild and the Southwest Paleontological Society, all museum associate organizations.
In-house teams planned for, designed and facilitated the construction of new exhibits, providing a sense of pride and ownership for museum employees. The museum is now recognized as one of the largest “dinosaur” museums in the Southwest.
Education and research are high priorities for the museum. Many educational opportunities are available to museum patrons of all ages through classes, workshops, labs, lectures and other activities.
A rapidly expanding collections area is currently responsible for approximately 48,000 objects accessioned by the museum. Visitors to the Mesa Southwest Museum experience an incredible journey through Prehistoric Arizona that begins with the formation of the solar system itself. Other attractions include the awe-inspiring three-story Dinosaur Mountain, Dinosaur Hall, Discovery Resource Center, Native Peoples gallery, Art of the Ancient Americas, a Spanish mission replica, Territorial Jail Cells, Arizona and the Movies, turn-of-the-century Mesa, the Arizona Highways Magazine gallery and more.
Two changing galleries—Galeria Baja and Galeria Alta—provide the venue for blockbuster changing exhibits from around the world. Other facilities operated by the Mesa Southwest Museum include the Sirrine House Museum, and the Mesa Grande ruins.
The Sirrine House was built in 1896. This distinctive Queen Anne style home was deeded to the City of Mesa in 1980 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The Mesa Grande ruins consist of an ancient Hohokam platform mound that was utilized around 1000-1400 AD. It is located less than two miles from the Mesa Southwest Museum and is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Mesa Southwest Museum Address
53 North MacDonald
Mesa, Arizona 85201
Telephone: 480-644-5662
Mesa Southwest Museum Website
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