The tour begins inside the Presidio Museum at the excavation of an authentic Native American pit house and explores how our earliest residents were able to survive in this arid climate.  Next, you’ll see how the introduction of European technologies changed daily life in Tucson’s Presidio.  History will come alive with several demonstrations, which may include blacksmithing, food tastings, and Presidio-era games. The Presidio Museum portion of the tour concludes in our pre-railroad Sonoran row house, most likely made from bricks that were once in the Presidio walls.  Learn about the people who built the house, and how they used whatever materials were available to them to make the building a reality.

Following the tour at the Presidio Museum, a delicious lunch at La Cocina, across the street from the Museum, will be enjoyed.

After lunch, we’ll move on to explore the five historic houses at the Tucson Museum of Art and Historic Block, built between the mid-1850s and the early 1900s. The following properties will be included on the tour:

• ** The J. Knox Corbett House, completed in 1907, is a mission-revival style two-story home restored and furnished with period pieces from the American Arts and Crafts era. 
• ** La Casa Cordova, one of the oldest buildings in Tucson, is home to the seasonal exhibit El Nacimiento. It is an excellent example of a Sonoran row house that was a popular building style in the late 19th century.
• ** The Edward Nye Fish House, home to the Museum Store and the TMALearn! Creative Space.
• ** The Romero House, believed to have been built in 1860, has undergone numerous alterations and is now home to the Romero House Potters, a ceramics studio.
• ** The Stevens/Duffield House, dating back to the late 1800s and currently houses the Museum’s cafe.

Following the tour, you are welcome to return to any area of the tour that you would like to explore further on your own, or shop in the unique Old Town Artisan shops surrounding La Cocina.

Cancellation Policy:  Cancellations received more than 24 hours in advance will receive a refund minus a small transaction fee.  Cancellations received less than 24 hours in advance will not receive a refund.