The history of Tumacácori dates back to 1691 and is full of stories and anecdotes of the past.  When you visit the park you can take advantage of many different educational opportunities. If you are a teacher near the park or planning a class trip to the park, you may want to take advantage of some of these opportunities.

Living History
Visitors of all ages can take advantage of our living history programs.  Take a step back in time with the "captain" of the Tubac Presidio, Juan Bautista de Anza.  Or take a tour of the grounds with Padre Rogelio or Padre Arriquibar.  By special request, both the Padre and the Capitan have been known to work together!  Living History programs must be arranged in advance of your visit and depend upon staff availability.

River Walks
The mission would not be here if it weren't for the resources of the Santa Cruz River, located about 1/2 mile from the park.  The park has joined forces with the Friends of the Santa Cruz River to offer a dynamic, hands-on nature hike to the river.  Participants will explore the plants, trees and animals along the Mesquite-Bosque and Riparian environments, ending at the river.

Encounters Fourth Grade Teacher's Guide
This nine unit curriculum includes activities relating to the cultural and environmental history of Southern Arizona, specifically the area known as the Pimeria Alta.  Units are historically sequenced to cover Arizona state history as follows:

1. The O'odham
2.  The Missionary
3.  Padre Kino
4.  The Kino-O'odham Encounter
5.  The Pima Revolt
6.  The Apache
7.  The Mexican Connection
8.  The North Americans
9.  The Santa Cruz Valley Today.

Tumacácori Treasure Hunt
A fun way to explore the museum and grounds!  Visitors are given a packet of photographs and are asked to find the matching objects either in the museum or on the grounds.  Additional information about the history of Tumacácori is included on the reverse side of the picture.  Young people who successfully complete the treasure hunt are presented with prizes and take-home activity books.  Check out the Kid's Korner to try some of the activities.

Costume Trunk
Want to know what it felt like to wear a priest's robe or the attire of an Apache?  Kid-sized visitors  have that opportunity when they visit the Costume Trunk.  The trunk of kid-sized historical costumes includes Jesuit and Franciscan priests, male and female O'odham, Apache and Spanish.  Lessons plans and detailed information are available with the trunk.