Arizona’s Uncommon Museum Collections
Writer Joseph J. Airdo
Arizona’s museum scene is as diverse as its stunning landscapes, featuring both world-renowned institutions and hidden gems that showcase the state’s rich history and vibrant culture. Discover 10 extraordinary museums where curious minds can explore everything from miniature marvels to Cold War relics, offering glimpses into Arizona’s lesser-known stories and passions.
Last Supper Museum
Housed in a historic 113-year-old building in the charming border town of Douglas, this unique museum boasts the world’s largest collection of Last Supper art and related items. The collection represents artistic traditions from every continent except Antarctica and began with curator Eric Braverman’s lifelong passion, expanding when he acquired the 50-year-old collection from the Last Supper Museum in Greensburg, Indiana. Visitors can marvel at more than 650 pieces on display, with an additional 2,000 stored in the vault. The museum’s crown jewel is a nearly 30-foot outdoor art display created by local artist Adolpho “Wacho” Garcia on recycled corrugated metal, designed to match the dimensions of Leonardo da Vinci’s iconic painting in Milan.
DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun
Nestled in the foothills of the Santa Catalina Mountains, this 10-acre national historic district was designed and built by acclaimed Arizona artist Ettore “Ted” DeGrazia from 1951 to 1965, with help from his Yaqui and Tohono O’odham friends. The property features a mine entrance-inspired doorway with copper ore, an awe-inspiring cholla cactus floor, and six permanent collections of paintings that trace the historical events and Native cultures of the Southwest. Rotating exhibitions showcase some of the 15,000 DeGrazia originals, including oils, watercolors, sketches, sculptures, ceramics and jewelry, while a stunning life-size bronze of the Yaqui deer dancer graces the courtyard.
Titan Missile Museum
Located in Sahuarita, just 25 miles south of Tucson, this remarkable museum offers visitors a chilling glimpse into Cold War history as the only preserved Titan II missile site in the world. The Titan II was the largest land-based nuclear weapon the U.S. ever deployed, standing 103 feet tall with a devastating 9-megaton yield. From 1963 to 1987, 54 of these underground complexes stood ready to launch nuclear warheads at targets more than 6,000 miles away within 30 minutes. The guided tour takes visitors through the command center for a simulated launch sequence before continuing to the only Titan II missile still in its silo. The museum serves as a time capsule of the world’s largest arms race, showcasing Cold War tensions and American engineering ingenuity.
Ignite Sign Art Museum
Housed in a former hardware store in Tucson, this dazzling museum showcases vintage signs and neon art that illuminate Arizona’s vibrant roadside history. Founded by veteran sign restorer Jude Cook, who has saved 26 of Tucson’s iconic neon landmarks over four decades, visitors can marvel at mesmerizing displays dating back more than 75 years, including the recently restored midcentury atom from the Mr. Quick Hamburger sign, the 17-foot Arby’s hat and the rotating 76 ball. Beyond visual treats, the museum offers interactive displays, scavenger hunts and live neon-bending demonstrations where artisans shape glass tubes into glowing masterpieces. For a special experience, check out the popular “Ignite at Night” events, when the museum opens after hours to celebrate newly restored signs.
Mini Time Machine Museum of Miniatures
The Mini Time Machine Museum of Miniatures in Tucson transports visitors through time and space via more than 500 meticulously crafted miniature houses and roomboxes. Founded by Patricia and Walter Arnell, this enchanting space showcases everything from antique dollhouses dating to 1742 to contemporary fine-scale miniatures created by artists from around the world. Popular exhibits include a miniature bookstore featuring more than 1,500 handmade tiny books and a miniature weaving studio with a fully functional, four-harness loom complete with an in-progress tapestry.
Tucson Wagon and History Museum
Located on the historic Tucson Rodeo Grounds, this unique museum featured on PBS’ “Antiques Roadshow” offers a fascinating journey into Arizona’s transportation history. The facility houses more than 100 horse-drawn carriages and wagons across four buildings, alongside displays in the historic hangar from America’s first municipally owned airport. The collection began in 1925 when the Tucson Rodeo Parade Committee started collecting wagons for its annual parade. The museum’s standout exhibit is Emperor Maximilian of Mexico’s luxury coach — commissioned by Napoleon, built in Paris and restored by an Amish wagon builder. Other noteworthy pieces include Tucson’s first fire wagon, the police department’s jail wagon and Sabino Otero’s buggy.
tucsonrodeoparade.com/the-museum
Gadsden-Pacific Division Toy Train Operating Museum
Train enthusiasts of all ages will delight in this Tucson gem that began as a modest club of 25 people in 1980 and has grown to include more than 130 members. The nonprofit museum features multiple operating toy train layouts in a variety of gauges, from tiny Z scale to garden-sized G scale trains, all set in meticulously detailed landscapes. What makes this museum particularly special is its interactive nature — visitors can operate the trains and accessories themselves by pushing buttons located throughout the 6,000-square-foot display area. The museum regularly hosts special events, including swap meets and seasonal holiday displays that bring the magic of model railroading to life.
Mat Bevel’s Museum of Kinetic Art
Step into a surreal world of movement and imagination at this Tucson museum, home to nearly 100 animated sculptures crafted from everyday objects by artist Ned Schaper, aka Mat Bevel. Each piece is a whimsical contraption brought to life through pulleys, levers and found materials, blurring the line between art and machine. Highlights include “The Blood Vessel,” a shiplike creation piloted by Schaper’s alter ego, and the fog-belching “Energy Plant.” Unlike traditional museums, visitors are encouraged to interact with many of the pieces, activating their kinetic elements. The museum regularly hosts performances and hands-on demonstrations where creativity is literally set in motion, offering an immersive experience where discarded objects find new purpose as mechanical art.
Coit Museum of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
Located on the University of Arizona campus in Tucson, this museum houses more than 10,000 historical artifacts that trace the evolution of pharmacy from ancient times to the present day. Originally established in 1966 with pharmacist Jesse Hurlbut’s personal collection, it was renamed and relocated in 2022 thanks to alumnus R. Ken Coit’s generous support. The museum’s crown jewel is the prestigious Upjohn Pharmacy collection from Disneyland’s Main Street, U.S.A. (1955-1970), featuring authentic pharmaceutical antiques from around the world. Other highlights include notorious gangster John Dillinger’s chewing gum, collected from Tucson’s Owl Drug Store in 1934, and the Dr. Mary Estill Caldwell collection honoring a pioneering woman in Arizona’s health science history.
Arizona Copper Art Museum
Housed in a former high school in Clarkdale, this 2014 Governor’s Tourism Award winner showcases Arizona’s copper mining heritage through an impressive collection of more than 5,000 copper art pieces and artifacts. Visitors can explore centuries of copper craftsmanship with pieces dating back to the 16th century, revealing the metal’s significance in art, military history, kitchenware and architectural elements. The museum’s comprehensive exhibits highlight Arizona’s position as a global copper producer and demonstrate how this versatile metal has shaped the state’s economy and cultural legacy.
Poozeum
Located in Williams, this unexpectedly fascinating museum is dedicated entirely to coprolites — fossilized dinosaur poop. Founded by Guinness World Record holder George Frandsen, the Poozeum blends natural history, art gallery and carnival sideshow aesthetics to create a uniquely educational experience. The collection features thousands of authentic specimens from around the world, including “Barnum,” the world’s largest carnivorous coprolite, and a 4-foot-wide titanosaur poop replica. Visitors can snap selfies with “The Stinker,” a bronze Tyrannosaurus rex on a toilet, marvel at vibrant hand-painted banners and browse a quirky gift shop filled with dino-themed treasures. Equal parts scientific and irreverent, this free attraction offers an unforgettable glimpse into prehistoric biology.
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