Presidio San Agustin del Tucson Museum

Construction of the Presidio Museum began in early 2006, after the completion of archaeological work, design meetings, and architect Fe Tom's architectural plans were completed. Eric Means led the construction effort and it was decided to hold a cornerstone ceremony. This occurred on May 19, 2006.

At that time the foundations of the corner torreon had been poured and the concrete block wall interior was starting to be laid. The walls and towers of the Presidio Museum had to meet modern building requirements, which included being earthquake-proof.

A crowd gathered that day, some in period costume.

Susan Smith, soldier Tony Urias, and Sybil Needham.

The parking structure across the street has a good overview of the event.

Overview of the ceremony, photo taken from the YMCA parking structure.

Mortar was mixed in a wheelbarrow.

Mayor Bob Walkup (in the black hat) and Eric Means (yellow hard hat).

The heavy cornerstone was set in place.

Eric Means, on the right.

Then people were invited to help lay some of the adobe bricks for the torreon.

Cele Peterson, at age 97, laying a brick with help from Eric Means and Council Member Karin Ulrich

The Presidio Museum walls are faced with stabilized adobe bricks, containing some concrete to prevent them from eroding.

Homer Thiel pointing to the brick he had just placed.

The cornerstone was a boulder of Sentinel Peak basalt.

Cornerstone and adobe bricks.

On it are engraved the words "El Presidio de Tucson Reconstruction, Rio Nuevo 2006."

 Cornerstone.

What people likely do not know is that after the ceremony the bricks that had been set in place were removed and then reset by master masons!

Photos by Gayle Hartmann and Homer Thiel.