Mesa Historical Museum
Encyclopedia
Mesa, Arizona
According to the 2010 Census, the racial composition of Mesa was as follows:* White: 77.1% * Hispanic or Latino : 26.54%* Black or African American: 3.5%* Two or more races: 3.4%* Native American: 2.4%...
, Arizona
Arizona
Arizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. It was opened in 1987 by the Mesa Historical Society to preserve the history of Mesa, Arizona.
The museum's exhibits include a comprehensive history of Mesa, a replica of an early adobe
Adobe
Adobe is a natural building material made from sand, clay, water, and some kind of fibrous or organic material , which the builders shape into bricks using frames and dry in the sun. Adobe buildings are similar to cob and mudbrick buildings. Adobe structures are extremely durable, and account for...
one-room schoolhouse, as well as three additional galleries of changing exhibits. The museum also maintains a large collection of historic agricultural equipment.
The museum buildings are in fact the museum's largest artifacts. The main museum building was built in 1913-1914 for use as the Lehi
Lehi, Arizona
Lehi is a distinct community within Mesa, Arizona, which predates Mesa's own founding. Lehi was annexed into its much larger former neighbor in 1970, and now is the northern limit of central Mesa....
School. The auditorium was built in the 1930's as a Works Progress Administration
Works Progress Administration
The Works Progress Administration was the largest and most ambitious New Deal agency, employing millions of unskilled workers to carry out public works projects, including the construction of public buildings and roads, and operated large arts, drama, media, and literacy projects...
project. Both of these buildings are on the National Register of Historic Places.
In 2008, the museum began developing a popular exhibit about Spring Training (baseball) in Arizona, called "Play Ball: The Cactus League Experience." The exhibition has since expanded to locations throughout Maricopa County, with hopes of eventually filling its own museum.