Hackett House – Home of Tempe Sister Cities

Mission & Vision

Serving as headquarters for the award winning Tempe Sisters Cities, the Historic Hackett House provides a wonderful backdrop which inspires our staff to create programs and events that allows us to participate in and enrich our community. We work toward making the world a smaller, more connected place.

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The Venue

Celebrate your gathering or event in a charming atmosphere in the heart of downtown Tempe. Our beautiful historic event spaces and private patio will provide an unforgettable ambiance for any special occasion.

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Programs

We offer education experiences that will encourage youth to appreciate cultural and international diversity as they grow into the leaders of tomorrow, while also raising funds to support Tempe Sister Cites and City of Tempe education programs.

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A New Center

Tempe Sister Cities International Center Capital Campaign is seeking funds to support constructions of a sustainable building on the patio of the historic Hackett House in downtown Tempe. This center will be a multi-use building where international and community events wills strengthen our community by providing opportunities for students and adults to explore and experience diverse cultures and build friendships and understanding with the many different peoples of the world.

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Special Events

Cooking Class Series

Tea Series

Calendar of Events

Holiday Tea 2024

December 15 @ 1:00 pm

Valentine Tea 2025

February 9, 2025 @ 1:00 pm

Spring Tea 2025

April 6, 2025 @ 1:00 pm

Mother’s Day Tea 2025

May 4, 2025 @ 1:00 pm

Facts About Tempe Sister Cities

941 Tempe high school students have served as ambassadors to one of Tempe’s 11 sister cities. When we add their counterparts some 1854 students have participated in this life-changing experience. Tempe Sister Cities sponsors these exchanges and covers all travel costs for our student ambassadors.

Tempe Sister Cities volunteers have produced more than 272 special events…including 46 Oktoberfest Celebrations. In addition TSC has supported more than $1,000,000 in humanitarian aid.

More than 444,580 hours have been volunteered at Hackett House alone. And 2,760,000 hours producing 46 Oktoberfests! In addition to all the hours volunteered on other special events and exchange programs. (According to the Corporation for National and Community Service, volunteer time is valued at $25.86 per hour! TSC volunteer hours would be valued at more than $82,870,438).

1,653 middle and high school students have participated in Tempe Sister Cities’ annual Young Artist Competition. The competition includes original art, photography, essay and poetry competition.

482 elementary school students have competed in TSC’s annual Geography Bee…held at City Hall. Tempe Elementary Schools is the co-sponsor.

4,980 youngsters (aged 7-12) have participated in TSC’s multi-cultural award-winning program Passport to the World. They learn location, foods, music and dance, arts and crafts and history of a particular country or city in the world.

More than 12,975 people have enjoyed afternoon tea at the “Taking Tea at the Hackett” Program. The teas celebrate Tempe’s history just as Sally Hayden, Arizona Territory’s First Lady, hosted teas at her residence, La Casa Vieja, in the 1800’s.

8,087 have attended cooking classes at the “Cuisines of the World” program at the Hackett House. Professional chefs are recruited to instruct.

14,150 sixth grade students have attended the “Around the World in Your Own Back Yard” field trip program at the Hackett House.

TSC has exchanged 440 teachers, educators and professionals…and adding their counterparts means 873 adults have participated in these life-changing exchanges. TSC has exchanged fire fighters and police officers with Regensburg and plans similar exchanges with other sister cities in the near future. Educator programs are in place with Regensburg, Lower Hutt, Zhenjiang, Skopje and Trollhattan.

Thank You

Our community sponsors

The Historic Hackett House

Home of Tempe Sister Cities, Est. 1986