Tempe History Museum October News & Events

This month, we're kicking off new seasons of Performances at the Museum, Community Chats and Historic House Open Houses! Check out the full list of upcoming events below or visit tempe.gov/MuseumEvents for more information.

Community Chats

The African American Experience in Tempe: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow

Tuesday, Oct. 10, 6 p.m.

The African American presence in Tempe is seldom spoken about and remains nothing short of a mystery to many. In an effort to solve the mystery, the Community Chat topic for October has its focus on Blacks in Tempe. 

The event is held in the Tempe History Museum Community Room, or live stream the event on Facebook.

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Tempe History Society Lunch Talks

The Harkins Influence on Tempe
By Dan Harkins

Wednesday, Oct. 11, 11:30 a.m.

Heir and general manager of his father Red Harkins’ five theaters at the age of 21, Dan developed what today are 500 screens in Arizona and three other states. Harkins is an industry trailblazer for innovation, digital sound, plush seating and gourmet snack bars. Constructed in 1938, the renovated Valley Art Theatre in downtown Tempe was the original Harkins theater. 

Stop by Tempe History Museum for this free talk presented by Tempe History Society with generous support from Friendship Village. The event is held in the Tempe History Museum Community Room, or live stream the event on Facebook.

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Eisendrath House Open House & Docent Guided Tours

What do you know about the pink house next to Papago Park? Although Eisendrath House seemed isolated on a remote Tempe hillside, its residents maintained strong connections to Jewish culture, artistic accomplishment and the wealthiest of social circles. 

Eisendrath House is located at 1400 N. College Ave. Parking is limited and carpooling is encouraged for your visit.

Free Open House
Saturday, Oct. 14, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Drop by to experience this intriguing historic home and its beautiful surroundings through a free self-guided tour. No registration necessary. 

Docent Guided Tours
Starting in October
Bring your friends, family or colleagues to historic Eisendrath House. Enjoy sweeping views while learning from a Tempe History Museum guide how this unique property is connected to tourism, the environment and more. Visit tempe.gov/MuseumHistoricHouses to view tour options and sign up.

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Performances at the Museum

Bogan Via

Friday, Oct. 20, 7 p.m.

Join us to kick off a new season of Performances at the Museum! Since 2012, Bret Bender and Madeleine Miller have been creating emotionally complex, evocative synth-pop as Bogan Via. They exploded on the burgeoning Arizona music scene, playing house shows and opening for touring acts like Twin Shadow, Little Dragon and WHY?. Their debut studio EP, Wait Up, was named in the Top Ten albums for the year by the Phoenix New Times.

This free event will be held in the Tempe History Museum Community Room.

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Azure Family Concert with Tetra String Quartet

Featuring Diego Miranda, guitar

Saturday, Oct. 21, 3 p.m.

Presented by the Tetra String Quartet, Azure Concerts are fun, friendly and engaging performances tailored to children and young adults who are on the autism spectrum or have similar challenges. Azure concerts are approximately 45 minutes in length, followed by an instrument petting zoo.

Family members and caregivers of all ages are welcome to attend. All behaviors welcome! Free tickets are available at tetraquartet.org/azure.

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African American Advisory Committee Book Club

Black Cowboys of the Old West: True, Sensational, and Little-Known Stories from History

Wednesday, Oct. 25, 5 p.m.

Dr. Felicia Durden will lead a session featuring the book Black Cowboys of the Old West: True, Sensational, and Little-Known Stories from History by Tricia Martineau Wagner, Allyson Johnson, et al. Find a copy of the book at your local bookstore or library and plan to join us via Zoom. Send an email to [email protected] to indicate your interest in participating.

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Petersen House Open House & Docent Guided Tours

How many times have you traveled by this colorful Victorian home, wondering what’s inside? Despite its current urban setting, this 1892 Victorian home was once the center of a bustling ranch, an elegant declaration of one family’s status and influence in a growing town.

Petersen House is located at 1414 W. Southern Ave. Parking is limited and carpooling is encouraged for your visit.

Free Open House
Saturday, Oct. 28, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Find out more about this Tempe icon with your own free self-guided tour. Drop by to experience this charming historic home and unlock the stories it can tell. No registration necessary. 

Docent Guided Tours
Starting in October
Bring your friends, family or colleagues to Petersen House, the oldest Queen Anne Victorian brick residence in the Salt River Valley. Find out how life in early Tempe may have been different than you think, why this charming house is a preservation success story and more. Visit tempe.gov/MuseumHistoricHouses to view tour options and sign up.

Learn more

Click Here to view the Tempe History Museum Newsletter - October 2023