Grand Canyon History

On Labor Day 1971, two professors from Northern Arizona University conducted a study of the noise level at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. At that time, air traffic was allowed to fly over the area. "Noise levels at this once tranquil vacation spot now rival levels on a busy downtown street."

The peak at times was 90 decibels. The tests were performed on the South Rim, near Phantom Ranch, and along two inner canyon trails. "Researches said there was no time, from dawn to dusk when they did not hear the sound of an aircraft flying over the canyon."

Thanks to Grand Canyon Historical Society for this history.

Kristen Rex at Library and Archives, Arizona History Museum in Tucson

Kristen Rex views the treasure trove of knowledge at Library and Archives, Arizona History Museum, after an epic transfer from Pioneer Museum in Flagstaff. As AHS Education Director, she knows there is a world of rich Arizona history to be found in those stacks.

National History Day Arizona students can be directed to this valuable resource.

The 28th Annual Prescott Indian Art Market Sept 19-20, 2026

 The 28th Annual Prescott Indian Art Market is just around the corner!

Join us Saturday, September 19, and Sunday, September 20, 2026, for two days celebrating Native American art, culture, music, performances, demonstrations, and more at Sharlot Hall Museum.

PIAM features more than 80 top Native artists in this juried fine arts market, showcasing an incredible variety of work, from oil painting and beadwork to pottery and weaving. Experience Native American culture in a unique and meaningful way while supporting Indigenous artists and celebrating their creativity and traditions.

Admission is $15 for non-members. Sharlot Hall Museum members and children under 9 are free.

Mark your calendar and join us for a weekend of art, culture, and connection!

NHDAZ topic The Cool Revolution: How Air Conditioning Reformed the Valley of the Sun into a Habitable Metropolis

 

Did air conditioning start as early as 1902?  Leave it to 6th grader Matthew Davies-Venn to research and create a documentary about A/C for his National History Day project.

Title: The Cool Revolution: How Air Conditioning Reformed the Valley of the Sun into a Habitable Metropolis

Topic: The 1902 invention of air conditioning by Willis Carrier fundamentally

revolutionized life in Arizona, reforming the Valley of the Sun into a thriving hub for urban development and economic growth. Its introduction not only made year-round living conditions feasible but also enabled the expansion of suburban residential communities, attracted business and tourism, transforming Phoenix from a small desert outpost into one of the largest metropolitan cities in the U.S.

Why he chose the topic: I always wondered how we were able to stay cool using

technology. I was looking to do my project on Germ Theory when I stumbled upon

information that Germ Theory relates to air conditioning because AC can trap airborne pathogens by shifting the focus from simply cooling air to filtering indoor air to remove microbes, which helps patients overcome some diseases. This led me to think about how air conditioning was invented because without it, it would be extremely hard to live in my home state of Arizona. It led me to research how humans cooled themselves before air conditioning and how they were able to survive the deadly heat of the Valley of the Sun.

Seeing how creative Matthew can be with "The Cool Revolution" makes the Historical League very proud to be a sponsor of NHDAZ, a program of Arizona Historical Society. 

Healing Field Tribute for 9/11

 In memory of those who tragically lost their lives 25 years ago on Sept. 11, 2001, the Exchange Club of Tempe will present the Healing Field tribute Thursday, Sept. 10, through Sunday, Sept. 13. Thousands of American flags will be placed throughout Tempe Beach Park, representing each victim. The public is invited to several events:

-Thursday, Sept. 10, 5:46 a.m. – Volunteers stand up flags. All are welcome.

-Friday, Sept. 11, 5:46 a.m. – Healing Field Tribute ceremony

-Friday, Sept. 11, 7 p.m. – Candlelight vigil

-Saturday, Sept. 12, 6:30-8:30 p.m. – Freedom Concert

-Sunday, Sept. 13, 7:30 a.m. – Tunnel to Towers Foundation 5K run/walk (registration required).

-Monday, Sept. 14, 6 a.m. – Volunteers stand down the field. All are welcome.

Maxine Lakin and Phoenix Mountain Preservation Council

Organized in 1970, the Phoenix Mountains Preservation Council worked for decades to maintain the beauty of the Arizona landscape as Phoenix grew. Now, the Phoenix Mountains Preserve includes peaks such as Camelback Mountain, Piestewa Peak and North Mountain Park. 2019 Arizona Historymaker Maxine Lakin, a leader of this movement, was honored with a trail named in her honor. This poster from AHS collections celebrates the dedication of the trail in 1995. Thanks to the efforts of Maxine Lakin and many other advocates Arizonans can enjoy some of the largest city parks in the world!

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The Historical League interviewed her when she became an Arizona Historymaker.

Listen to her story at https://historicalleague.org/historymakers/maxine-cortelyou-lakin/

Phoenix largest city to earn Certified Autism Center Designation

 PHOENIX – The City of Phoenix has achieved the Certified Autism Center™ (CAC) designation awarded by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES), which sets the global standard for training and certification in the fields of autism, neurodiversity, and accessibility. To recognize this achievement, City leadership gathered at City Hall to receive the official certificate from IBCCES. The certification comes after more than 80% of front-facing City employees, including Police and Fire personnel, received specialized training to better support and serve autistic and sensory-sensitive individuals. Today, Phoenix is the largest municipality in the country to earn the CAC designation.

Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego, holding certificate on right, and International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards Board Chair Myron Pincomb, left holding certificate, pose with city of Phoenix officials and staff on Thursday, Sept. 3 at City Hall to commemorate the IBCCES giving the city a Certified Autism Center designation

As part of the certification process, IBCCES conducts onsite reviews across City of Phoenix locations, providing actionable recommendations and sensory guides to enhance accessibility for those with autism and sensory sensitivities.

The initiative was recommended by the City’s Strategic Workgroup on Accessibility, a taskforce Mayor Kate Gallego called for to create a more accessible Phoenix. Councilwoman Debra Stark chaired the workgroup and led community leaders and City departments in developing a robust framework. Among its efforts, the taskforce successfully introduced inclusive design standards on newly constructed homes, enhanced wayfinding for people with low or no vision, and installed new hearing loop technology in the City’s Council Chambers. Phoenix is also designated as a Dementia Friendly City, an initiative to improve quality of life and reduce stigma for people with memory loss.

“Phoenix prides itself on being a community where everyone is able to thrive—and we are especially proud that the City of Phoenix is now a Certified Autism Center,” Mayor Kate Gallego said. "With thousands of daily visitors to our many facilities, parks and destinations, we are continuously improving to meet the needs of our entire community, including the unique needs of autistic individuals. As we strive to be a global model for accessibility, I’m especially grateful to Councilwoman Debra Stark for her leadership to make Phoenix more welcoming for all.”

“Earning the Certified Autism Center designation shows how deeply Phoenix values inclusivity and access," District 3 Councilwoman Debra Stark said. "Our staff worked diligently to complete this important training, and this certification moves us closer to a city where everyone, regardless of ability, can help improve Phoenix.”

“This distinction reflects Phoenix’s ongoing commitment to becoming a more accessible, inclusive and welcoming city for people of all abilities,” said Nicole Anderson, Chair of the Mayor’s Commission on Disability Issues and member of the Strategic Workgroup on Accessibility. “I am proud to live in a city that trains its employees to better understand and support autistic individuals and people with sensory, communication and cognitive differences. This work helps ensure residents and visitors feel included in the places, services and experiences that belong to all of us.”

“Our work with the City is grounded in collaboration, community insight and shared responsibility. It strengthens Phoenix’s recognition by PBS NewsHour as 'the most autism-friendly city in the world.' Such efforts contribute to a community culture that grows up with individuals of all ages living with autism and/or other disabilities—opening more doors to education, employment, housing and healthcare. This commitment is essential to ensuring that inclusion is not a moment but a lifelong pathway for every person,” stated Denise D. Resnik, Strategic Workgroup Member, SARRC Co-Founder & First Place AZ Founder & President/CEO.

Honored as 2023 Arizona Historymaker, listen to Denise tell her story at https://historicalleague.org/historymakers/denise-d-resnik/