Arizona Heritage Center Extends Closure, Eyes 2029 Reopening

The Arizona Historical Society (AHS) is extending the closure of its Arizona Heritage Center in Tempe as crews address additional structural and facility-related issues discovered during ongoing repairs. The museum, which originally closed in May 2026 for a planned 12-month project, is now expected to reopen by 2029.

The initial project focused on repairing the building’s fire suppression system. However, the scope of work expanded after crews identified operational issues with the HVAC system, which maintains the climate-controlled environment necessary to protect the museum’s archival materials and artifact collections. Engineering assessments have also been approved to investigate cracks discovered in sections of the building’s concrete floors. The evaluation will help determine the cause of the damage and identify the necessary repairs to ensure the facility’s long-term structural integrity.

Work is underway on all three projects. AHS expects to complete the fire suppression repairs before the end of the current fiscal year, while HVAC upgrades are already in progress. Funding has also been secured for a geotechnical survey of the building’s foundation, which is expected to begin later this year. The survey’s findings will help determine the remaining work, which is anticipated to continue through 2027 and 2028.

The extended closure also provides an opportunity for AHS to take down and redevelop exhibits that have been in place for decades while rethinking the design, capacity and functionality of its collections and archival storage. This phase of the project is expected to follow the completion of facility repairs and continue into 2029.

“Ultimately, the projects completed within this period will result in a renewed facility, one that is better suited to meet the operational needs of the Historical Society, the educational and engagement wishes of its public audiences, and the stewardship standards mandated by the material history under its care,” said Dr. David Breeckner, Executive Director of the Arizona Historical Society. “For all these difficulties, they serve our larger goals and present an opportunity to reimagine the Heritage Center as something better and more relevant to today’s audiences.”

When the Arizona Heritage Center reopens, visitors can expect new exhibits exploring Arizona’s history, along with a modernized facility designed to improve both the preservation of and public access to its collections. The Arizona Historical Society will provide updates on the project timeline, facility operations and remediation plans as engineering reviews and repairs progress. For more behind this Frontdoor, visit arizonahistoricalsociety.org.