Arizona State Museum

06/23/2026

Congratulations to Molly Stothert-Maurer, ASM head librarian and archivist, who just published a paper in the "Journal of Western Archives."

"Archiving in Advance of Mission Completion," presents a detailed case study of the born-digital archiving efforts associated with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, and Security–Regolith Explorer (OSIRIS-REx) Asteroid Sample Return Mission at the University of Arizona Libraries Special Collections. From the perspective of an archivist, the project exemplifies the integration of digital archiving into an active scientific mission, conducted in collaboration with multiple departments across the university. By preserving mission-critical content, including project management documents, social media interactions, and web content, this initiative serves as a model for resource light digital products utilizing batch descriptive techniques.

This paper presents a detailed case study of the born-digital archiving efforts associated with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, and Security–Regolith Explorer (OSIRIS-REx) Asteroid Sample Return Mission at the Universit...

06/16/2026

We're revved up today because "Traditions in Motion" is on the move.

A selection of 11 die-cast model cars and other small-scale vehicles from the larger exhibit are being featured at The Mini Time Machine Museum of Miniatures.

Hop in/on your set of wheels and go check it out!

June 16, 2026 – January 10, 2027
4455 E. Camp Lowell Drive, Tucson

We are grateful to our friends and colleagues at The Mini Time Machine Museum of Miniatures for their partnership.

06/16/2026

Here is Curator of Ethnohistory, Dr. Michael Brescia, on his first day in the Lilly Library at Indiana University, Bloomington. As the Mendel Research Fellow, Michael is examining rare books and manuscripts related to Spanish colonial law, property rights, and natural resource usages across early modern North America. Michael and his wife, Alejandra, are enjoying the cooler temperatures of the Midwest, not to mention some of the unique culinary experiences that Bloomington has to offer, including Afghan, Indonesian, and Tibetan gastronomy.

06/13/2026

IN MEMORIAM

G. Michael Jacobs
July 11, 1946 - May 29, 2026

Mike Jacobs was ASM’s archaeological collections manager for more than 35 years and worked at ASM for more than 42. His institutional memory was so deep and his knowledge of the collections and literature so vast that he earned the nickname, “Mikepedia.” He retired in 2014 but continued to volunteer in the conservation lab until recently. We all miss him as a researcher, colleague, and friend.

06/08/2026

REMINDER: Katie MacFarland and cryptids be at Whiskey Del Bac tomorrow!

Image When 6 – 8 p.m., June 9, 2026 eventAdd to Calendar Add Event to Calendar Here Be Dragons: Exploring the Fantastic Creatures of the Scythian World 6 – 8 p.m., June 9, 2026 Select your calendar type below: Google iCal File Outlook Enterprise (Office 365) Outlook Personal (outlook.com) Yahoo!...

06/03/2026

Our "Traditions in Motion" is on the move!

A selection of 11 die-cast model cars and other small-scale vehicles from the larger exhibit will be featured at The Mini Time Machine Museum of Miniatures. How cool is that?

June 16, 2026 – January 10, 2027
4455 E. Camp Lowell Drive, Tucson

We are grateful to our friends and colleagues at The Mini Time Machine Museum of Miniatures for their partnership!

Hand-painted cars, skateboards, and vehicles by Native artists blend heritage and contemporary culture. Interactive exhibit in collaboration with ASM.

06/01/2026

DOUBLE YOUR GENEROSITY / DOUBLE YOUR IMPACT

Help us realize our vision for a Southwest Textile Study Room, which will make ASM’s collection accessible to the public like never before. Thanks to a generous challenge grant, donations of any size will be *doubled.*

Read about the project, the challenge, and the collection here: https://statemuseum.arizona.edu/textile-challenge

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Textile Museum Associates of Southern California, Inc.
Grandma's Spinning Wheel
THSG - Tucson Handweavers & Spinners Guild, A Fiber Arts Community

05/28/2026

Mark your calendar and join us at Whiskey Del Bac on June 9 for a free, fun, and informative presentation by Dr. Kathyrn MacFarland.

Details and RSVP here:

Image When 6 – 8 p.m., June 9, 2026 eventAdd to Calendar Add Event to Calendar Here Be Dragons: Exploring the Fantastic Creatures of the Scythian World 6 – 8 p.m., June 9, 2026 Select your calendar type below: Google iCal File Outlook Enterprise (Office 365) Outlook Personal (outlook.com) Yahoo!...

05/27/2026

DONATE to our BENEFIT SALE

Looking to downsize your personal collection of Native American art? Did you inherit something you don't really care for? Kids don’t want any of it? Donate those items to our Benefit Sale!

We accept year-round donations of Indigenous-made pottery, jewelry, rugs, baskets, blankets, folk art, paintings, and sculpture. Items need not be solely from southwestern cultures. Nothing archaeological, please.

Donations may be brought to the museum with advance notice or we can arrange to pick up large/bulky items. Call Darlene Lizarraga at 520-626-8381 or email [email protected].

Proceeds benefit ASM's ethnological collections.

Shop now: https://statemuseum.arizona.edu/benefit-sale

05/21/2026

Dr. James Watson continues to be asked questions about this unfortunate situation.

Archaeological experts say the discovery is a cautionary tale about the consequences of citizen investigators taking matters into their own hands.