Arizona Heritage Center honors Historymakers after museum flooding by Independent Newsmedia

 

Arizona Heritage Center honors Historymakers after museum flooding

Independent Newsmedia/Tempe, by Madeline Bates, 4/16/2026

On top of a hill above Papago Park is the Arizona Heritage Center museum in Tempe. A 30-yr-old brick façade with a desert garden courtyard hosts hundreds of people and events year-round. In August 2025, disaster struck.

Several devastating monsoons and storms brought at least 2 feet of water to the museum’s Steele Auditorium, causing the area to flood significantly for months and leaving the administration to make difficult decisions on how to proceed.

“Oddly enough, the day of the flooding was the day we were doing our emergency management tour so I thought I was getting my leg pulled,” said David Breekner, executive director of the Arizona Historical Society.

“It was devastating though, and then for two months we would pump it out day by day and then the water would return,” he said.

Breekner explained that the property was built before Papago Park and the additional landscaping and construction could have resulted in creating a floodplain for the area of the property where the auditorium is located.

Because of the flooding, the AHS had to hold its Historymakers Gala at the Scott Hotel and Resort instead.

On April 15, the nine who were chosen for the award were finally honored with an exhibition of their own.

The award recipients cut the ribbon to symbolize the display of the Historymakers and the renovations to the property that are yet to be completed.

The Heritage Center will close in May for massive remodels, but the Historical Society will remain strong, Breeckner said as the group plans to still do offsite events, visit schools and continue to educate Arizonans on the history of the state.

The foundation is also launching a $3 million capital campaign to raise funds for the project with hopes of raising as much money as possible to create a more innovative and functional space for years to come.

“Just like our technology has changed in 30 years, I think the ways that we can tell those stories and the tools we can use to engage with it have evolved too so let’s make it more accessible to the next generation,” Breekner said.

To learn more/ donate to museum visit Donations | Arizona Historical Society.

2025 Arizona Historymaker Exhibit Opening

 These Arizona Historymakers have a lot of joy. Perhaps that is part of their success. Bob Boze Bell; Diana Devine; John Graham; Dr. Olliver Harper; Sharon Harper; Sister Adele O'Sullivan; Ron Rayner; Dr. Eric Reiman and Dr. Duane Wooten are cutting the ribbon for the new 2025 Historymaker Exhibit. Congratulations on a well-deserved recognition!

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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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.