Tucson Presidio museum
Education & Outreach
Educational opportunities at both the Presidio and Fort Lowell Museums
The Tucson Presidio Trust offers educational opportunities for 3rd-12th grade students at both the Presidio and Fort Lowell Museums. These opportunities are for public schools, charter schools, private schools, homeschoolers, and other groups from October-April as well as outreach opportunities with community partners. All children’s educational programs and tours at both the Presidio and Fort Lowell Museums are by reservation only. For more information on education or outreach opportunities contact contact Ginger Thompson, Curator of Public History, at gingert@tucsonpresidio.com for more information.
Program 1: Morning Muster at the Presidio (registration for 2025/2026 school year opens 8-1-2025)
On-Site Live Field Trip Approximately 2 hours
Accommodates 8-40 participants, not including chaperones.
$5 per child and chaperones free
Contact our Curator of Public History,
Ginger Thompson, gingert@tucsonpresidio.com
The Morning Muster at the Presidio and Hands-on History at Fort Lowell Museum (Program 4) field trips are offered on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays (depending on volunteer availability). These programs support Common Core curriculum for Arizona 3rd and 4th graders but their small size allows for flexibility, they can be adapted for grades 3 through 12 or to focus on a specific topic (ex: cultures of Tucson). Each museum offers different activities and different information. Teachers will work with a Presidio Trust staff member to customize a program that best suites their students’ needs. You will receive educational materials prior to your scheduled program to use to prepare your students for their field trip.
During your on-site visit your class will usually be broken into smaller groups to rotate through 4 stations that may include the following (depending on volunteer availability):
The minimum grade level for the Morning Muster is 3rd grade. The cost is $5 per student and chaperones are free. Information on our need based scholarships available upon request.
Program 2: Friday at the Fort at the Presidio (registration for 2025/2026 school year opens 8-1-2025)
On-Site Live Field Trip Approximately 3.5 hours
Accommodates 50-75 participants, not including chaperones. $5 per child and chaperones free
Contact our Education and Engagement Coordinator, Wolf Whitney-Hul, at wolfwh@tucsonpresidio.com
A Presidio Trust staff member/volunteer will make two appointments with your group. The first will be for an in-person or virtual visit at your location for a 30-45 minute age-appropriate presentation covering the history of the Presidio Museum. The second will be for the on-site portion of the field trip on a Friday. This field trip supports Common Core curriculum for Arizona 3rd and 4th graders.
For the on-site portion of your field trip your group will arrive at the Presidio and receive a brief recap of the history of the Presidio and Tucson. Then your group will be broken into smaller groups to rotate through several stations for approximately 3.5 hours. Stations may include the following (based on volunteer availability):
Friday at the Fort is restricted to 3rd and 4th grade students and only takes place on Fridays. Spaces are limited and fill up quickly.
Program 3: Museum in a Box
Box checkout with supplies for up to 30 students. The boxes are appropriate for 3rd-6th grade students. FEE PER BOX: $30 per week. Descriptions below.
Contact our Curator of Public History, Ginger Thompson, at gingert@tucsonpresidio.com
In this program, you can rent an activity box that will have a teacher packet, materials, and the supplies for the registered number of children (up to 30). Some kits require some items to be supplied by the school. Provided directions will help teachers/parents to run an activity with their participants. Two box themes are available. Theme 1 is conducted without Presidio Museum staff interaction and teachers can choose the kit(s) they would like to check out. Theme 2:Historic Hats of Arizona REQUIRES an in-person presentation when the box is delivered. Both themes must be scheduled in advance.
Theme 1: A Day in the Life of A Presidio Child
Boxes available for rental are:
This theme is conducted without in-person Presidio Museum staff interaction.
Theme 2: Historic Hats of Arizona
(Theme 2 requires an in-person presentation by a Presidio Museum staff member when the box is delivered)
Your group will identify the hats in the box and do further investigation on the individual who would have worn that hat. Your group will learn about the individuals from four different time periods:
And will learn about the roles of:
**Theme 2 requires an in-person presentation by a Presidio Museum staff member when the box is delivered.
Program 4: Hands-On History – At Fort Lowell Museum
On-Site field trip approximately 2 hours
Accommodates 8-40 participants, not including chaperones.
$5 per child and chaperones free
Contact our Curator of Public HIstory:
Ginger Thompson gingert@tucsonpresidio.com
The Hands on History at Fort Lowell program is offered on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday (depending on volunteer availability). This program supports Common Core curriculum for Arizona 3rd and 4th graders, but its small size allows for flexibility. It can be adapted for grades 3-6 and/or to focus on a specific topic (ex: cultures of Tucson). Teachers will work with a Tucson Presidio Trust staff member to customize a program that best suits their students’ needs. You will receive educational materials prior to your scheduled program with a confirmation letter to use to prepare your students for their field trip.
During your on-site visit your class will be broken into smaller groups to rotate through 4 stations that may include the following (depending on volunteer availability):
The minimum grade level for Hands-on History is 3rd grade. The cost is $5 per student and chaperones are free. Information on our need-based scholarships available upon request.