Volunteers at National History Day AZ State Contest

 A rewarding day with the students plus lunch when judging at National History Day!! So grateful for Historical League members who volunteered at the State Contest. 

Judges: Cathy Shumard, Laurie-Sue Rhetts, Pat and Pete Faur, Diana and David Smith, Norma Jean Coulter, Madison Barkley, Summer Cherland. 

Reception: Patt Walker, Margaret Baker, Caroline Bissell.

Cathy Shumard, Dr. Kristen Rex, Laurie-Sue Retts

Pat and Pete Faur, Diana Smith

Norma Jean Coulter with Stacey Trepanier

David Smith with Emily Hahn

State Contest NHDAZ report from Emily Hahn

162 students and 110 projects were presented at National History Day in Arizona state contest on Saturday, April 12. We heard all the details from AHS Education Curator Emily Hahn at our April meeting. The winners advance to National Competition in College Park, Maryland June 14-18. Exciting times!! 

AZHC closing for 1 year for critical facility upgrades

Historical League will continue to meet throughout the AZHC closure. We have a lot on our agenda!! 

See It While You Can!

The Arizona Heritage Center will soon close for approximately one year to complete critical facility upgrades—but before we do, we invite you to visit.  During our recent temporary closure, we identified additional infrastructure needs that require immediate attention—most significantly, the replacement of the building’s fire-suppression system. Completing this work safely requires the careful removal and protection of exhibitions and collections throughout the museum, a process that will take time to do right.  Further improvements will focus on vital systems that support the care of collections, the safety of visitors, and the long-term sustainability of the building. These updates are necessary to protect the history we all share and to ensure the museum returns stronger than ever.  This makes the coming months your last opportunity to experience the museum as it is today!  Many galleries will be refreshed or reimagined when we return, making this a meaningful moment to revisit favorite spaces, bring friends, or finally see the exhibitions you’ve been wanting to explore before July 5, 2026.  While the Arizona Heritage Center in Tempe will be closed during this time—our Tucson museum, the Arizona History Museum, will remain open and we are looking forward to our Pioneer Museum in Flagstaff reopening later this year. We’ll continue bringing Arizona’s history to you through programs, events, and new initiatives throughout the year.  What to Expect During Closure: While exhibition galleries and the research library will be closed, the Arizona Heritage Center will remain active. Public programs, educational programming, and events will continue to take place on-site at least monthly. Furthermore, the Arizona Historical Society will continue offering programs across the state. Plan your visit now before we close.  Make time to stop by in the coming months, this is an unique opportunity to experience the museum before this next chapter begins.   We’ll continue to share updates throughout the process and look forward to welcoming you back when the Arizona Heritage Center reopens. Thank you for being part of this community and supporting the preservation of Arizona’s history.

Your donations help the Arizona Historical Society share Arizona’s rich history through our education and outreach programs, collection preservation, and partnerships. Help preserve and share Arizona’s history for the benefit of all Arizonans with your tax-deductible donation.

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Connecting people through the power of Arizona's history.

Spilling Tea with Dr. Gorn NHD Executive Director

 

Historymakers Planning Meeting March 30, 2026

 Susan Dale convened a planning meeting with 16 past Arizona Historymaker Chairs and active contributors to discuss future event strategies. We are deeply grateful for the dedication and commitment of these remarkable women.

Front Row: Zona Lorig, Anne Lupica, Jeannine Moyle, Nancy Evans, Bonnie Newhoff, Ruth McLeod. Back Row: Deb Hester, Carolyn Hartman, Pat Faur, Chris Hackett, Mary Parker, Mary Ward, Diana Smith, Diane Smith, Susan Dale, Janet Young.

Meeting information: Susan Dale welcomed 16 past Arizona Historymaker Chairs and those actively involved in the event. 

The AHS Museum opened in 1992 with no exhibits and little furniture. The first Gala in 1992 chaired by Marilyn Parke provided some great artifacts and publicity for the new museum as well as raising funds with attendance and auction items. The Wallace & Ladmo Team were honored as the longest running children’s television show in history. Barry and Robert Goldwater, Philip Curtis, Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, Bil Keane, Frank Snell and J. Eugene Grigsby Jr.  and were also honored.

Mary Ward spoke. She chaired the Historymakers Gala in 1993 with Susan Dale assisting. It was a major fundraiser again.

2017, 2023, 2025 Historymakers Co-Chair Diana Smith gave us some background. From 1992 through 2025, 96 individuals have been honored and over 2.5 million dollars have been give to the AHS. The new 2025 Historymaker exhibit will officially open in the lobby on April 15 with special invitation to guests.

Since 2018, this event has supported the AHS National History Day Arizona program with grants totaling $76,000.

As we move along into the 21st century, times have changed as we reflect on this fabulous Arizona Historymaker event. A lively discussion followed.

Dr. David Breeckner spoke about the significance of the Historymakers Hall and Historymakers Wall in the AZHC.  "The AHS Museum preserves history and the Historical League is making history."

And the discussions continued long after the meeting was adjourned.

Dr. Josephine Pete, Historical League member extraordinaire and newest recipient of the A. Wade Smith Memorial Lecture on Race Relations.

 Dr. Josephine Pete, Historical League member extraordinaire and newest recipient of the A. Wade Smith Memorial Lecture on Race Relations. It was created in 1995 to perpetuate Smith’s tireless efforts to improve race relations across ASU campuses and within the greater community.

When Moore died in 2022, the lecture was renamed the A. Wade Smith and Elsie Moore Memorial Lecture on Race Relations for her devotion to ASU as a beloved faculty member and advocate for students of color.

FYI - 2013 past recipient was J. Eugene Grigsby, Jr. who was honored as Arizona Historymaker in 1992.

Renowned Michele Norris, winner of Emmy Award and Peabody Award and Dr. Lisa M. Anderson, Senior Associate Dean of Academic Affairs and Engagement in the Graduate College of the School of Social Transformation.

Dr. Josephine Pete and Dr. Kenja Hassan, Associate Vice President, Social Embeddedness and Civic Engagement at Arizona State University.

National History Day AZ Students ready and rarin' to go for Regionals

 Shout out to National History Day Arizona students who work so hard on their projects. Showing up early for Regional Contests, dressed up, nervous and excited . . . setting up, then waiting patiently for their time to explain their exhibits, performances, websites, papers or documentaries. 

If they go on to State or not, they have learned so much about their topic and themselves.

Registration table for North West Regionals: Historical League volunteers Ruth McLeod, Mary Perona, Anne Lupica, Caroline Bissell with NHD Advisor Leonard Moody