This 1,000 square foot bi-lingual exhibit interprets the mission church at Tumacacori, Arizona, in the borderland between the United States and Mexico. The storyline focuses on the region’s perennial pattern—“Always Changing – Forever the Same”— a borderland between varied climates and varied peoples.
The storyline begins with the natural resources of the Santa Cruz River valley. Tactile and interactive displays blend with historic artifacts, illustrating why these resources were so valuable to the humans here and why the region continued to beckon newcomers.
The story then follows the evolution of the site, from a Jesuit mission to a Franciscan mission. We follow the simple tasks of everyday life, the occasional violence, and the arduous process through of building the church. Native peoples provide their perspective with oral histories in three languages.
Lifecast figures and audiovisual programs bring life to the exhibition. The final Gallery design echoes the feel of the historic church in its golden years, prior to abandonment. The recent past and future of the region is explored through interactive plot map overlays, allowing the visitor to compare how changing land ownership has and will continue to shape the character of this borderland.
Client: Tumacacori National Historical Park, Tumacacori, Arizona
