Nestled in the shadows of Papago Park just north of our sister project, O’Connor House, and The Arizona Historical Society Museum on College Avenue, is a special piece of history that is close to completion. Civic minded community partners have come together to save this historic home and create a vision and end use for thousands of visitors annually. Eisendrath House will contain the only Water Conservation Education Center in the Valley. The City of Tempe Water Conservation Department and Salt River Project are currently offering residents and visitors educational programs and information on site in the SRP Water Education Facility about our most precious resource WATER, its importance, conservation and sustainability.

This Adaptive Rehabilitation Project only needs $400,000 to complete the interior and grounds of this important historic landmark. The project leader, Rio Salado Foundation, and its partners are asking for your support and involvement. The community is coming together at a grass roots level to spread the word about opening this “historic jewel in the desert”. Join the partners to date:
Add American Express to list of partners

City of Tempe Water Department
Salt River Pima Maricopa Indian Community
Salt River Project
Vestar
Tempe Historic Preservation Foundation and Docent Program
American Express

Contribute at any level to help open this important community project. Please read more about the project, donate and attend the Grand Opening and 2 Day Public Open House to be held November 20-22, 2015

Saturday, November 21 and Sunday November 22, 2015
Public Open House – No Cost 10 am – 3 pm

Docent led Tours of the historic house
Sustainability Demonstrations
Water Conservation Education Materials
Hikes
Activities for kids

If you would like more information, please contact Kim Knotter, Executive Director at kim@riosaladofoundation.org.

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Eisendrath Center for Water Conservation will include:

WATER CONSERVATION PROGRAM

City offices and staff will be located at Eisendrath House. Residents and visitors will be able to attend water conservation classes, obtain information on water conservation and other sustainable practices. In partnership with SRP, the SRP Water Education Facility is a state of the art instructional classroom and meeting space in a unique setting convenient to Phoenix, Scottsdale and the East Valley, as well as Tempe and Arizona State University. Civic, educational and neighborhood organizations will be able to hold meetings, classes and other special events at the facility. The large room with ADA-accessible restrooms and a catering kitchen can accommodate up to 35 individuals.

MEETING SPACE AND CLASSROOMS

Residents and visitors will be able to attend water conservation classes, obtain printed information on conservation and other sustainable practices. In partnership with SRP, the SRP Education Center is a state of the art instructional classroom and meeting space in a unique setting convenient to Phoenix, Scottsdale and the East Valley, as well as Tempe and Arizona State University. Civic, educational and neighborhood organizations will be able to hold meetings, classes and other special events at the facility. The center is available on a reservation system by calling the Water Conservation Department at 480-350-8336. The main house will offer 4 special event spaces. The main room for meetings or entertaining, the outdoor veranda, the back tile patio as well as a second story outdoor patio with a spectacular view of the 9 acre Sonoran Desert landscaping. More information to come on special event venue as the house is completed.

ROSE EISENDRATH INTERPRETIVE CENTER

The life of this strongwoman, the career of architect and master builder Robert Evans and other aspects of the history and restoration of the home and site will be described through messages and displays throughout the home and property. Scheduled public educational tours of the historic site as well as education on water conservation and sustainable practices will be conducted by the Tempe Historical Society docents.

A TRIBUTE TO CARL HAYDEN

The Tempe native and statesman, Maricopa County Sheriff, State Legislator, longest-serving U.S. Congressman and Senator will be honored by interactive exhibits on water conservation and recognized for his vital role in the Central Arizona Project.

ABOUT RIO SALADO FOUNDATION:

Rio Salado Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that manages historically significant restorations and economic development projects along the Rio Salado Corridor, funding more than $15 million around Tempe Town Lake and Papago Park since 2001.

CURRENT PROJECTS:

Eisendrath House Restoration
Veterans Memorial
Arizona Boathouse and Welcome Center

COMPLETED AND SUPPORTED PROJECTS:

The Hayden Flour Mill
The O’Connor House
Children’s Splash Pad at Tempe Beach Park
Tempe Center for the Arts
Papago Park Regional Master Plan: Discover Papago Park
Tempe Butte Rehabilitation and Preservation
The Downstream Pedestrian Bridge

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MORE RSF INFO

THE HISTORY OF
EISENDRATH HOUSE

The Eisendrath House is a restored 85 year old Pueblo Revival Style adobe home designed and constructed of concrete, adobe and wood by local architect and master builder Robert T. Evans.

Rose Eisendrath, a wealthy widow of a Chicago glove manufacturer, acquired a forty-acre parcel in the hills above the Salt River in North Tempe on April 23, 1930 and commissioned the house after being refused accommodation at a valley resort due to her Jewish ethnicity. Robert Evans, the son of Rose Eisendrath’s Chicago friend, was just then beginning his career in Arizona. Construction by the Evans Construction Company went quickly and the House was completed in December 1930. It was completed during December 1930. Mrs. Eisendrath spent her first winter in the home when she arrived in January of 1931. The house was substantially constructed and contained twelve rooms and three baths, including four master bedrooms at the time. A culturally important home, the structure retains a high degree of integrity and is listed on the Tempe Historic Property Register. It has also been declared eligible for listing on the Nation Register of Historic Places.

Rose G. Eisendrath was one of many wealthy Chicago residents who discovered Arizona during the "Roaring Twenties". A group of similar residents that shared the blessings of great wealth, most of it acquired before the boom decade of the twenties, proved instrumental in making the name "Arizona" synonymous with pleasant winter vacations. Two noteworthy winter residences include that of William Wrigley Jr., who helped to finance construction of the Arizona Biltmore Hotel and built his own winter cottage, La Colina Solana, in 1932 (listed on the national register in 1989) and the Webster rock and adobe house at the Desert Botanical Garden. Mrs. Eisendrath's winter villa, named “LOMAKI” which in Hopi means beautiful house, is associated with the same historical tourism trend.

The house is situated on the Carl Hayden Campus for Sustainability. This new complex helps fulfill an important need in our desert community, and brings together history and science to educate the people of Arizona about their unique ecosystem and how to protect our fragile landscape and resources for the future.

JOIN OUR OPENING ACTIVITIES: NOVEMBER 20 - 22, 2015

Eisendrath Center for Water Conservation will include:

ABOUT RIO SALADO FOUNDATION:

CURRENT PROJECTS:

COMPLETED AND SUPPORTED PROJECTS:

THE HISTORY OF EISENDRATH HOUSE

THE HISTORY OF
EISENDRATH HOUSE