A Look at Tucson’s Cultural and Architectural Treasures Exhibit

The exhibition offers a brief history of two styles of music that have influenced Tucson’s cultural identity: classical music and mariachi music. Photographs of the Temple of Music and Art and the Tucson Symphony Orchestra, original programs and ephemera illustrate Tucson’s connection with classical music.

Photographs, records and CDs also share the story of how Tucson developed into the premiere destination for the study and performance of mariachi music. Popular mariachi musicians highlighted in the exhibition include Lalo Guerrero, Linda Ronstadt and Los Changuitos Feo.

Images of notable buildings like the Fox Theatre, the Pima County Courthouse, the Santa Rita Hotel, and the El Conquistador Hotel showcase Tucson’s architectural history. The unique style of Tucson’s religious architecture, perhaps best exemplified by the Mission San Xavier del Bac, is also explored.

“A Look at Tucson’s Cultural and Architectural Treasures” was curated to coincide with Tucson’s 237th birthday, an occasion where Tucsonans are encouraged to recognize our community’s history, culture, arts and environment. The materials on display were selected from Special Collections and from the private collection of Joseph R. Diaz.