December 7, 2022

ARIZONA CAPITOL MUSEUM

1700 W. Washington St., Phoenix, AZ 85007

“The Arizona State Capitol in Phoenix, Arizona, United States, was the last home for Arizona's Territorial government, until Arizona became a state in 1912. Initially, all three branches of the new state government occupied the four floors of the statehouse.” - Wikipedia

The museum, housed in the former Capitol Building, gives a glimpse into the Arizona government, while also highlighting several notable events and people in Arizona history.

The first floor honors the U.S.S. Arizona, one of the battleships destroyed at Pearl Harbor. An exhibit also pays tribute to the Legacy of the Buffalo Soldiers. Floor two shares a timeline of Arizona from territory to state. Honors the Territorial Governors and houses the original Governor’s Office. An interesting exhibit called, “Dividing Arizona: Japanese American Wartime Incarceration” was very thought provoking. The third floor lets one explore the Historic House of Representatives Chambers, and gives a glimpse into Arizona’s Constitutional Convention. There was also an interesting display of Arizona court cases that have had a national impact, such as the Miranda case. The fourth floor has galleries to the House Chamber and the Supreme Court Chamber.

The current administration building is behind the museum. The House of Representatives and the Senate each have their own building in front of the museum.

On a mall across from the museum is a plaza with many memorials commemorating events and people significant to Arizona and United States history. On the day I visited there was a large ceremony taking place on the plaza. I was wondering what the event was for until I realized I was visiting on Pearl Harbor Day, and the ceremony was honoring the U.S.S. Arizona and other WWII veterans.