The main exhibition hall, entitled, Tempe: Distinct, Diverse, Dynamic, is the heart of the new Tempe History Museum. Here the story of Tempe is dramatically staged through a variety of media. The exhibition explores the history of Tempe using a thematic approach. Visitors can explore four thematic areas—
- College Town: The story of Arizona State University
- Building Our Community: How Tempe gor started and grew into a desert city
- Living Together: The diverse communities that have come together.
- Surviving in the Desert: How the desert was settled and the challenges we face in sustaining the environment with urban growth.
Other features of the gallery include:
- An Exploration Station in each of the themed areas that offers more detailed information online.
- A Learning Lounge where visitors can browse through books or just sit and take a break.
- A Kids' Place gets children involved with history.
- Little Devil's Stadium is a protected space for crawlers and toddlers to move about.
- A changing gallery will feature temporary exhibits.
