Steel magnate Andrew Carnegie had provided funding for the building. Carnegie, a well-known philanthropist, is renowned for the millions he gave to construct libraries. The building's design, was by a prominent Arizona architect, W.R. Norton. The building welcomed library users through the Great Depression and the two World Wars and was used as a library until 1954. The Arizona Hall of Fame Museum is dedicated to the people of Arizona.
Exhibits are about people in Arizona and their contributions.
Actual contents of the exhibit are changed periodically to focus on different individuals. The main floor of the museum is devoted to exhibits. The lower floor contains offices, work space, public restrooms and a small auditorium for museum programs.