Historic Phoenix Preserved at the Rosson House Museum

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As with Saturday's post, which was inspired by Jonanna Widner's firsthand advice about Dallas and Fort Worth, I've decided, for today's post, to focus on Jeff Ficker's online interview about Phoenix, Scottsdale, and Sedona. In this informative Q&A, the author of Moon Phoenix, Scottsdale & Sedona mentions several of my favorite Arizona attractions, including the tranquil Desert Botanical Garden, the iconic Camelback Mountain, and Frank Lloyd Wright's winter home, Taliesin West. Still, yet another favorite appears to be missing: the colorful, Victorian-style Rosson House Museum in downtown Phoenix.

Built in 1895 for Dr. Roland Lee Rosson and his wife, and now situated within Phoenix's Historic Heritage Square (part of the Heritage & Science Park), the well-preserved Rosson House Museum (113 N. 6th St., Phoenix, 602/262-5070, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Wed.-Sat., noon-4 p.m. Sun., $7.50 adults, $6 seniors, students, and military personnel, $4 children 6-12, children under 6 free) illustrates what life was like for owners and tenants during Arizona's late territorial times, when Phoenix was still young. Comprised of 10 rooms, the 2,800-square-foot mansion features authentic collections relating to the period between 1895 and 1915. Visitors can experience the house, which was once one of the most prominent homes in Phoenix, by taking a 30-minute, docent-led tour.

As part of the museum admission price, visitors to Historic Heritage Square can also view the turn-of-the-20th-century Carriage House, which now houses the museum's ticket office and gift shop, and play old-fashioned games in the Hands-On Heritage House, a California-style bungalow built in 1901. In addition, you can explore the nostalgic collection of toys, antique dolls, and dollhouses at the Arizona Doll & Toy Museum (602 E. Adams St., Phoenix, 602/253-9337, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tues.-Sat., noon-4 p.m. Sun. Sept.-July); savor a gourmet pizza at the Pizzeria Bianco (623 E. Adams St., Phoenix, 602/258-8300, 5-10 p.m. Tues.-Sat., $9-27), housed within the 1920s-era Baird Machine Shop; and enjoy refreshments at Nobuo at Teeter House (622 E. Adams St., Phoenix, 602/254-0600, 11 a.m.-close Tues.-Sun., $6-14), an Asian-style teahouse by day and a lively izakaya by night. Adjacent to Historic Heritage Square, the Arizona Science Center (600 E. Washington St., Phoenix, 602/716-2000, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily, $12 adults, $10 seniors 62 and over, $10 children 3-17) is also worth a look, whether you appreciate hands-on science exhibits, IMAX documentaries ($8 adults, $8 seniors 62 and over, $7 children 3-17), planetarium shows ($8 adults, $8 seniors 62 and over, $7 children 3-17), or all of the above.

Just be advised that the Rosson House Museum is closed on Easter, Independence Day, August 17-September 1, Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day. Also, if you choose to park in the nearby public parking garage (at the corner of 5th and Monroe Streets), don't forget to have your parking ticket validated at the museum.

For more information about Phoenix, Scottsdale, and Sedona, consult the Greater Phoenix Convention & Visitors Bureau (400 E. Van Buren St., Ste. 600, Phoenix, 602/254-6500 or 877/225-5749), the Sedona Chamber of Commerce (331 Forest Rd., Sedona, 928/282-7722 or 800/288-7336), or Jeff Ficker's Moon Phoenix, Scottsdale & Sedona guidebook. Then, enjoy your next visit to the Valley of the Sun.

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As always, I’m open to ideas for future posts. If you have any suggestions, burning questions, or destinations that you’d like me to explore in greater detail, please comment below or contact me via laura [at] wanderingsoles [dot] com.

Disclosure: While I occasionally accept free or discounted travel assistance when it coincides with my editorial goals, my opinion is never for sale, which means that everything written in my American Nomad blog and Moon travel guides is my unbiased reflection of the things that I see, do, and experience while traveling across the United States.

Photo of the Rosson House Museum courtesy of Carl & Peggy Backes / Text © 2011 Laura Martone

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Laura Martone is Moon’s American Nomad and the author of Moon Florida Keys, Moon Michigan, Moon Baja RV Camping, and the upcoming Moon New Orleans, which will be published in Winter 2012.