Now operated by VOLUNTEERS under the direction of the Tubac Historical Society.

Tubac Presidio State Historic Park was due to close in March, 2010 when the Arizona Legislature swept Arizona State Parks funds. The community of Tubac came together under the leadership of the Tubac Historical Society and succeeded in crafting a Public-Private Partnership that allowed Arizona's first state park to remain open and available to the public.

In our first year of operation we have been financed by admissions and gift shop revenue and substantial local donations. Our VOLUNTEERS have increased the operating hours of the Park, created a new self-guided walking tour, revitalized the exhibits, and enhanced the overall visitor experience.  Come see for yourself!

Tubac is Arizona's oldest European community and home to the largest and best preserved 18th century Spanish presidio (fort) in the world. Tubac Presidio State Historic Park is Arizona's first state park. The 1885 furnished schoolhouse, Otero Hall, and Rojas House are all on the National Register of Historic Places. The Park features a museum, underground display of the Presidio ruins, Arizona's first printing press, an exhibition of paintings of Arizona history by William Ahrendt, a picnic area, and the Juan Bautista de Anza Trailhead.

Volunteer With Us

Be a part of this amazing community effort to Save the Presidio! Volunteer to help us by coming to the Park at 1 Burruel Rd. in Tubac, emailing info@ths-tubac.org or by calling 398-2252 to arrange a meeting.

Living History Program

Membership

Why not become part of Tubac and its historic past and present?  We are looking for individuals who are excited about preserving and celebrating Tubac's history, culture and unique qualities.  If you feel as we do, don't delay in joining us today!

Membership Application  Membership Renewal Form

Subscribe to Arizona Highways and help Save the Presidio!

For every new or renewing subscription to Arizona Highways, the magazine will donate $5 to the Arizona State Parks Foundation! Be sure to use the Tubac Presidio’s promotion code VOCPTP to direct the $5 to this state park! It’s easy, and it will make a difference. Click here for details and a subscription form.

 

Kino Festival at the Tubac Presidio - May 16 through May 20, 2012

“The Anza Expedition” Video - Shown at 2pm daily during May

Upcoming Events at
Tubac Presidio Park!

“The Anza Expedition” Video - Shown at 2pm daily during May
In May the Tubac Presidio will mark 2 years as a community-run state park. To celebrate, visitors to the park during the month of May will be treated to a free showing of the film “The Anza Expedition” in our air-conditioned Visitor Center. This documentary tells the story of Spanish explorer Juan Bautista de Anza who led over 240 settlers and soldiers on an epic journey that would change history. In 1775 they made the difficult 1,200-mile trek across unknown lands from Tubac to the Pacific coast where they founded San Francisco. The history of the Anza Expedition connects to timeless themes of emigration, opportunity, diversity and faith. The film is included with Park admission $4 adult, $2 youth 7-12 and children free.

Gunpowder Press Exhibit and Ambos Nogales Vintage Photo Gallery -
Open daily through June 30, 2012, 9am-5pm
The Tubac Presidio Museum is hosting two special exhibits from the collections of local families with ties to area newspapers. The Gunpowder Press Exhibit displays the printing equipment used by Frank and Gay Griffin to print the Tubac Arizonian in the late 1950s. The exhibit also showcases samples of their Tubac publications from the Tubac Historical Society archives and their “Scrapbook of History” collection of photos, newspaper articles and maps related to Tubac. The Ambos Nogales Vintage Photo Gallery features early to mid-20th century photographs of Nogales, Arizona and Nogales, Sonora, Mexico from the collection of Craig Pottinger, Sr., founder of the Nogales International. Both collections will be on display in the museum through June 30, 2012 and are included with park admission $4 adult, $2 youth 7-13, children free.

Kino Festival at the Tubac Presidio - May 16 through May 20, 2012
The Tubac Presidio will participate in the 15th Annual Kino Festival honoring the life of Father Kino, a 17th-century Jesuit missionary and explorer. The festival is part of a regional celebration in communities throughout Sonora, Mexico and Arizona.

May 16 through May 20, 9am-5pm:
During all five days of the festival, the Presidio Museum will display a series of informational panels on the life of Father Kino. Park admission $4 adult, $2 youth 7-13, children free.

Wednesday, May 16, 8:30am-12:00 noon:
FREE guided tour to the Kino established missions at Guevávi and Tumacácori and related mission at Calabasas. Meet at the Tumacácori National Historical Park and car pool to the ruin sites that are not usually accessible to the public. By reservation only, 520-398-2252 or info@ths-tubac.org.

Thursday, May 17, 12 noon:
“Kino: La Leyenda del Cura Negro” - a 1993 Spanish language film about the life of Father Kino starring Enrique Rocha and Rodolfo de Anda. FREE.

Friday, May 18, 2pm:
Guest speaker from Sonora, Mexico will talk about Padre Kino and his agricultural contributions. A Sonoran musician will perform music related to Padre Kino. $4 adults, $2 youth 7-13, children free.

Saturday, May 19, 12 noon:
"The Story of Father Kino” - a 1977 fact-based movie starring Richard Egan, Ricardo Montalban, Cesar Romero and John Ireland. FREE.

Sunday, May 20, 12 noon:
Short film on the life of Father Kino, FREE.

Frontier Printing Press Demonstrations - Saturday, May 26, 11am-3:00pm
Professional printer and teacher James Pagels demonstrates the Washington Press used to print Arizona’s first newspaper in 1859 and answers questions about hand press printing, type setting, and other aspects of this marvel of industrial engineering. Included with park admission $4 adult, $2 youth 7-13, children free.

Fiber Art Fridays
May 25, 10am-12:30pm
Join fiber art enthusiasts at the Tubac Presidio on the last Friday of the month in May and June. Bring your knitting, crochet, spinning or quilting project and gather for uninterrupted fiber art time. Hosted by members of the Southwest Fiber Arts Resource Group. Included with Park admission, $4 adult, $2 youth 7-13, children free.

Frontier Printing Press Demonstrations - Saturday, June 16, 11am-3pm and Saturday, June 30, 11am-3pm
Professional printer and teacher James Pagels demonstrates the Washington Press used to print Arizona’s first newspaper in 1859 and answers questions about hand press printing, type setting, and other aspects of this marvel of industrial engineering. Included with park admission $5 adult, $2 youth 7-13, children free.

Heritage Grains Collaboration – Wednesday, June 20, 10am
Mark the first day of summer with a visit to the Presidio’s new Heritage Garden and learn about crops historically grown by Native Americans and Spanish settlers. The soil used in the garden is from the agricultural area shown on Jose de Urrutia's 1767 map of Tubac. Corn, wheat, calabasas (squash) and beans are growing from heirloom seeds provided by Native Seeds/SEARCH. This demonstration garden is part of a collaboration by organizations and farms to reintroduce White Sonora wheat and Chapalote flint corn – two of the oldest extant grain varieties adapted to the arid Southwest and known for their stable yields, excellent nutritional value and cultural ties to the desert borderlands. Fee for the presentation is $7.50 and includes admission to tour the Park.

Fiber Art Friday – June 29, 10am-12:30pm
Join fiber art enthusiasts at the Tubac Presidio on the last Friday of the month in May and June. Bring your knitting, crochet, spinning or quilting project and gather for uninterrupted fiber art time. Hosted by members of the Southwest Fiber Arts Resource Group. Included with Park admission, $4 adult, $2 youth 7-13, children free.