<

TAM Lecture Series #8 - Surviving Summers in Tucson Before Air Conditioning with Ken Scoville

  • April 10, 2026 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM

  • Tucson Auto Museum

    4825 North Sabino Canyon Road
    Tucson, Arizona 85750
Ticket Price $27.38 Register Now
Description

Anyone who has ever experienced an air-conditioning failure during a Tucson summer has likely asked the same question. Long before modern cooling, residents of the Old Pueblo survived the heat by adopting the same strategies used by desert life itself: enduring, evading, and escaping. By 1870, Tucson was a bustling town of nearly 3,000 people, with commerce, government, and daily life continuing even through the hottest months. Residents adapted through ingenious design and lifestyle choices—living in thick adobe homes, planting shade trees, sleeping outdoors, and adjusting daily schedules so businesses closed during the afternoon heat and reopened in the cooler evening hours. Remarkably, Tucson even boasted an ice cream shop as early as 1876. These time-tested strategies began to shift with the arrival of the railroad in 1880 and eventually gave way to modern cooling technologies. The long chapter of desert adaptation finally came to an end in the early 20th century with the introduction of the evaporative cooler. This lecture explores the creativity, resilience, and ingenuity that allowed Tucson’s early residents to thrive in one of the hottest climates in North America.

Date & Time

Fri, Apr 10, 2026 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Venue Details

Tucson Auto Museum

4825 North Sabino Canyon Road
Tucson, Arizona 85750 Tucson Auto Museum
Tucson Auto Museum

The Tucson Auto Museum is a hidden gem in the Sonoran Desert. Featuring dozens of rare, classic cars, the Museum offers a unique experience that is sure to inspire and impress people of all ages. You don't need to be a car lover to enjoy the Tucson Auto Museum either. The beauty and rarity of the cars, along with the stories they tell, make the experience enjoyable for all. As non-profit, our mission is to preserve and showcase these historic vehicles while educating all generations on the importance of the automotive industry. Featuring a state-of-the-art museum space and air conditioning for year-round comfort, the Tucson Auto Museum is a must see.


Find more Tucson Auto Museum Events