Blog Archives
Capitol Mall’s Mining & Mineral Museum to get makeover
Governor Jan Brewer announced that in celebration of Arizona’s 100th anniversary of statehood, an Arizona Centennial Museum will be created. In a ceremony at the Arizona Mining and Mineral Museum in the Capitol Mall area of downtown Phoenix, the governor presented her vision and plans that will be instituted over the course of the next two years to transform the museum into the Arizona Centennial Museum. The museum’s exhibits will be devoted to showcasing Arizona’s economic growth and industrial development.
“This new Centennial Museum will be a vibrant, interactive facility, offering state-of-the-art technology and exhibits unlike any in Arizona,” said Governor Brewer. “This facility will feature educational profiles of each industry, showcasing the rich heritage of Arizona’s economy and providing a vision of its brilliant future.” [Note: Read the full article at Capitol Mall’s Mining & Mineral Museum to get makeover.]
Phoenix on a budget: New rail line, hikes, golf
People wait in line for a table at Matt's Big Breakfast (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
[Source: Terry Tang, Associated Press, reprinted in the San Jose Mercury News] — In Phoenix, there’s nothing a trip to the golf course can’t fix. It’s a warm winter escape for those who can afford a second home, and it basks in the spa-facial glow of being a place where people will pay a lot for five-star fun. But for those with shallow pockets, the Valley of the Sun has budget-friendly options mixing an urban identity with access to nature. It’s not every big city where you can scale a mountain, sample authentic Mexican food, and take in a free art show — all in one day. [Note: To read the full article, click here.]
Arizona’s mining museum visited by 23,000-plus school kids each year
Arizona is the number one mining state in the country. The Arizona Mining and Mineral Museum, located in downtown Phoenix’s Capitol Mall area, has over 3,000 minerals, rocks, fossils, and mining artifacts on display. Over 23,000 school children visit the museum each year. During their visit they are taught how the various minerals play a role in our daily life, In this know99 television segment, some of the school children who recently visited the museum share their thoughts.
Celebrate Statehood Day in the Capitol Mall area, Feb. 14
The 96th anniversary of Arizona statehood will be celebrated on Thursday, February 14, at “Museums on the Mall: Celebrating Arizona’s Statehood” at the Arizona State Capitol in downtown Phoenix, and two new exhibits about Arizona history will open. Chief Justice Ruth McGregor will kick off the Statehood Day program leading the Pledge of Allegiance at 12:30 p.m. in the historic Senate Chamber. Governor Janet Napolitano has been invited to deliver a statehood proclamation, with presentations to follow by Senate President Tim Bee and Speaker of the House Jim Weiers. Between 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., Arizona’s history will be celebrated with museum exhibitors from around the state who will be showing artifacts and providing hands-on activities and demonstrations for children and families on the Senate Lawn.
The historic Carnegie Library located just east of the State Capitol (1101 W. Washington) will turn 100 years old on Feb. 14. The Carnegie Library was the first permanent library building in Phoenix. To commemorate its influence on Phoenix and Arizona, an exhibit about its important history, “The Carnegie: Behind Every Library There Is a Story,” will be unveiled on Statehood Day and is open to the public from 2 to 4 p.m. Refreshments and will be served.
Also, the Arizona Capitol Museum is opening its newest exhibit “Up from the Ashes: Phoenix Goes to Mars” immediately preceding the Statehood Day Ceremony at Noon. This exhibit highlights The University of Arizona’s Phoenix Mars Mission, from project development, launch, touchdown, and the resulting research.
All the day’s activities are free and open to the public. Parking is available in lots east and west of the Capitol and at the Arizona Mining and Mineral Museum.
