W.Whether military, agricultural, or settlement, Tucson has been a hub for places like Fort Lowell for years.

Amy Hartman Gordon, executive director of the Presidio San Agustin del Tucson Museum, points to the Lilito and Tanque Verde rivers. History shows that water unites people.

“This is a cultural resource in the heart of Tucson,” said Hartmann Gordon. “A valley that has been inhabited for thousands of years. This incredible blend of cultures all in one place.”

The museum will host Fort Lowell’s 150th anniversary celebrations on Saturday, March 18. This family-friendly event features Fort Ground activities, reenactments, and lectures to educate the public about the rich and diverse history of the Tucson area.

“Fort Lowell at 150: A Look at Local History” is a mission to teach multiple perspectives on the history of Southern Arizona. Focusing on the fort’s military history, the Presidio Museum addresses the interactions between indigenous peoples and immigrants.

“This organization is not here to celebrate conquest or colonialism,” said Hartmann Gordon. “It’s important to talk about history from the perspective of different cultures and different backgrounds.”

The event examines early peoples like Hohokam and their cultural traditions, engaging families in games and crafts from the period. They safely experiment with handcrafted drills and tools like the Atlatl, a slingshot used for hunting.

Fort Lowell also features educated reenactors passionate about its history. Rarely open to the public, the hospital ruins are open for guided tours, where real doctors explain the medical care of the time. Additionally, the band will be playing all day.

Hartmann-Gordon said: “That’s essentially why the city asked us to run Fort Lowell. It’s because of our approach.”

The Presidio San Agustin del Tucson Museum opened in 2007 on the bones of the original Spanish Presidio of 1775. Located in the heart of Tucson, the museum took over operations of Fort Lowell last year, allowing the Arizona Historical Society to withdraw and refocus its resources. .

This fort was built in 1873 in response to the Apache Wars. The City of Tucson acquired the land in the 2000’s and a master plan to restore the area has begun. However, like many historic buildings, Fort Lowell was in need of drastic repairs.

“The city and county are working hard to care for and restore what’s there, revitalizing the entire area to be recognized for its history,” said Hartmann-Gordon.

The director said Tucson Alderman Paul Cunningham is a major proponent of its reconstruction. In 2018, the city enacted Proposition 407 to increase funding for park improvements. Fort Lowell Park is included in its jurisdiction, and Cunningham is scheduled to speak at the celebration.

It’s the museum’s job to tell the story of Fort Lowell. This includes not only the military, but also the Apaches and local tribes who lived in the area, Mexican ranchers, Mormon settlers, English settlers, and Buffalo soldiers.

Providing the big picture is the goal and can be tedious.

“The big challenge is to speak openly about the conflict between the Apaches and the English settlers,” said Hartmann Gordon. “This is a difficult story for Apache. We are working hard to bring their voices into our demonstrations and exhibits.”

Prior to the events of Fort Lowell, the museum enlisted the help of tribes such as the Tohono Oodam Nation to provide authentic historical preservation in other projects. Although many members of the Apache community no longer live in the area, the museum reaches out to the countries of northern Arizona.

The Apache Wars were brutal conflicts over land and sacred realms. As a result, hundreds of Apaches were killed or deported by the American government. The director spoke about the conflict and explained the Presidio Museum’s communal approach to its history.

“Teaching people about what happened in the past, sometimes ugly, is important so that they can move forward in a more community-based way,” said Hartmann Gordon.

The Presidio Museum not only considers multiple perspectives, but also encourages the public to use the past and move forward. According to the director, they seek to present history in a way that gives people a sense of time and place.It helps participants understand how it fits into the big picture.

Fort Lowell Memorial Day will be held on Saturday, March 18 from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm. With suggested donations, the event teaches attendees the history of Fort and Tucson.

“Providing a community space for people to come together is very important,” says Hartmann-Gordon. “In this day and age, we have a lot of challenges in how we communicate with each other.

Fort Lowell 150: A Look Back at Local History

when: Saturday, March 18, 11:00 am to 3:00 pm

where: Fort Lowell Museum 2900 N. Craycroft Road, Tucson

price: Recommended donation of $5

information: Tucson Presidio.com