For years I’ve been curious about the old Eisendrath House. I’d see it as I was driving on College Avenue. There it stood, perched on the hill behind the Arizona Historical Society Museum, looking forlorn and forsaken. I hoped that the old house wouldn’t be forgotten and that one day, it would be restored and open to the public. My wish came true! At last, Tempe’s historic Eisendrath House is all spruced up and ready to celebrate its new look, new name and new purpose as the Eisendrath Center for Water Conservation.

I’m going to take full advantage of this opportunity to experience a bit of Tempe’s history and, at the same time, learn some interesting facts about water conservation. We’re now able to see the historic house during docent-led tours.

The house itself is a beautiful example of a 1930’s Pueblo Revival adobe structure. It was built in 1930 by well-known Phoenix architect and contractor Robert T. Evans as the winter residence of Rose Eisendrath, widow of the wealthy Chicago glove manufacturer, Joseph N. Eisendrath. The restoration was made possible by the Rio Salado Foundation in partnership with the City of Tempe, SRP, Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community and the Tempe Historic Preservation Foundation.

In its new incarnation as the Eisendrath Center for Water Conservation, the property is quickly becoming a focal point for Tempe’s water conservation efforts. Future plans include interactive displays inside the house that will tell the city’s water story and help promote conservation efforts for the entire region.

The house is available to rent for special events, receptions, corporate conferences, dinners and weddings. Docent-led tours of the historic house are open to the public by appointment on Thursdays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Eisendrath Center for Water Conservation is located in Tempe at 1400 N. College Avenue adjacent to the Johnny G. Martinez Water Treatment Plant. During the open house, guests can park in the Arizona Historical Society Museum parking lot and take a free shuttle to the house. The museum is located at 1300 N. College Avenue. For more information visit www.riosaladofoundation.org or call 480-473-0245.