Pioneer Living History Museum, Phoenix, AZ

Visitors to Phoenix, Arizona can take a journey into the past when they travel about thirty minutes north of the city. The Pioneer Living History Museum is only thirty minutes from the city. Once there visitors can explore the more than ninety acres of land that comprise the 1800's town. The buildings are authentic and are historically reproduced.

Some of the buildings that are at the Pioneer Living History Museum include the Opera House, where famous singer Lilly Langtry performed. There is a rifle port in an actual cabin that was involved in a "range war''. The screen brings to life an old Melodrama that will elicit laughs from the audience. Ladies can find out what they used to have to wear in an 1890's dress shop.

The men will find plenty to inspect in the blacksmith shop, jail, sheriff's office and ranch complex. While strolling through the ninety plus acres visitors will meet costumed interpreters. Some of the townsfolk they will encounter are lawmen, cowboys and Victorian ladies.

Visitors to the Pioneer Living History Museum will find it located at 3901 West Pioneer Road, Phoenix, Arizona. There is a restaurant on site called the Pioneer The Past Restaurant and Saloon.

Winter hours at the museum are October 1st through May 31st. The museum is then open Wednesday through Sunday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. The summer hours run from June 1st through September 30th from 8:00 am to 2:00 pm. There is also an office that is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. If the day is rainy the museum will be closed as due to its nature it might be unsafe for visitors.

Admission to the museum is seven dollars for adults, six dollars for seniors (60+), students 6 - 18 are five dollars and children under five are free. Groups of twenty or more get the reduced rate of five dollars per person. Special pricing may exist during certain events. There are several re-enactments when the Pioneer Living History Museum is open. A schedule can be obtained at the gate.

The museum is closed on the following holidays: Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day. On Christmas Eve the museum closes at noon.

Plans for the Pioneer Living History Museum took root in 1956 when a group of people formed the Pioneer Arizona Foundation. Mr. and Mrs. Robert Lockett donated the state land lease to the museum. The museum had its Grand Opening in the winter of 1969 with Phase 1. The museum is still in Phase 1, but hopes to eventually complete the entire vision of the original founders. At this time there are thirty historic buildings to view. The majority of them can be visited by the public. The museum is open to school tours, home school tours, tour agents and destination planners and communities. The museum is considered a "Classroom Without Walls''.

There are several events that happen throughout the year at the museum. It is also a popular place for weddings and there are many packages available that include the reception.