Museum Volunteering May be on the Horizon

Tucson Rodeo Parade Museum, Adobe Building, 4823 S 6th Ave, Tucson, AZ 85714

You may have seen my post on the Tucson Rodeo Parade Museum. It is a quaint place I very much enjoyed getting to tour after very nearly not making it last month. Their season is limited to the first Thursday in November through the first Saturday in April, and I was bumping up against the frame of that window. Then, there was the 45 minute trip down the Samaniego Ridge, past Table, Bighorn and Pusch mountains, down through the “basin” and along the Santa Cruz River which runs through its center.

I could not find the entry onto the parade grounds where the museum is housed, although I could see the buildings themselves. There are four. So I called in and to my surprise someone answered. The person responding said they had closed - however it was an hour before their posted closing on-line. I politiely lamented the trip and that this would be my final opportunity before they closed for the year. He explained they close the gate an hour before the end of their day, because the tours last an hour. I assured him I would buzz through within that timeframe and he was happy to oblige for someone truly interested in the history to be shared.

When I arrived, I met Stan, who was the executive chairman of the museum, and found it is a guided tour. Of course, Stan as museum chairman happens to be one of the best historians of the parade, the rodeo, the 150 horse-drawn vehicles in the museum, the historical store fronts and other collections, as well as Tucson in general that one could ask for. Stan’s tour was great, and he enjoyed my interest in the history he had to impart. I usually know just enough to be dangerous.

Logo for the Rodeo Parade in use currently.

During the tour, at some point the conversation veered onto plans the committee had, and I slipped in a volunteer of help, not expecting it to go far. I have always longed to assist in a museum setting, yet never had the credentials to actually be in that line of work. Anyone who has put up with me on a trip knows my enthusiasm for visitor centers and museums. But while the Rodeo Parade Museum itself is great and has a lot of potential, it is also lacking in some things that could make it stand out - maybe move into a top-tier spot. It reminded me in many ways of the Harold Warp Pioneer Village in Minden, NE, as I first saw it in the 1960s. However, this museum is much smaller and without automobiles or planes. So, I offered my card, my help and emphasized that I was talking about volunteer work.

A proposed logo specific to the museum..

Stan’s last tour of the day stretched out an extra hour for a total of two by the time we were done. This happened at the Franklin Auto Museum a couple of years ago, which is also a guided tour. I seem to be an enthusiastic conversationalist when lost in the past. (Normally, I am just lost and being passed.)

Well, after sending some links to the write up created for Tucson - Finding the Unexpected, and data on the 10,000 impressions that page had produced in conjunction with some Facebook posting, I received a nice email that we should get together in May when they had the 2022 Rodeo “put to bed.” And, to my surprise, there was a follow-up contact and discussion of some areas that might come up regarding assistance. Signage improvements, social media posting, and addition of a gift shop. All areas I would easily be excited about!

Since I show better than tell, I have begun working on a logo that would differentiate the museum from the parade itself. Pulling on their current Rodeo Parade logo, I hope to work it onto some signage recommendations. And, having had some retail experience, I have been looking up some potential gift shop items, along with talking to Guy about producing some unique items only available from the Museum Store - which does not exist, yet.