Angel Delgadillo and 100th birthday of Route 66

 Historical League member Norma Jean Coulter reports, "Yesterday Diana, Dave Smith and I journeyed to Seligman for their 100th birthday of Route 66.  Of course Angel Delgadillo was the star of the show since he worked to get Historic Route 66 established."

Norma Jean Coulter enjoys the event with
2023 Arizona Historymaker Angel Delgadillo and wife Vilma

Diana Smith tells about the trip, "Dave and NJ enjoy a tasty Seligman Breakfast at the Road Kill Cafe -- complete with biscuits and gravy to accompany the eggs and bacon -- Happy Weekend. Great day, sun and sunshine with plenty of smiles all around. Vilma and Angel were the perfect honorees."

2025 Arizona Historymaker Bob Boze Bell as M.C.

Diana updates, "Bob Boze Bell welcomed the crowd and told wonderful stories about his family and family's life on Route 66.

Robert Ballard and his wife Marilyn from Kingman met us in Seligman -- Robert serves on the AHS Campaign Committee and is a board member of the AHS chapter."

Congrats to Donna Gustafson, NHDAZ Teacher of the Year nominee, junior division.

Donna Gustafson has the best background to bring to her students! 

National History Day AZ is so fortunate to have her! No wonder she is a nominee for Junior Division NHDAZ Teacher of the Year. 

Donna Gustafson is a 7th and 8th-grade gifted Social Studies teacher in Chandler, Arizona, with 23 years of experience in education. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Arizona in Elementary Education with a minor in German, including time spent studying at the University of Bamberg in Germany. Donna continued her academic pursuits by completing a Master’s Degree in World War II Studies from Arizona State University in conjunction with the World War II Museum in New Orleans. She is also a Holocaust in Southeastern Europe Fellow at Harvard University and an author for NHD's Silent Heroes Program. 

As the wife of a naval officer, Donna has a firsthand appreciation for the sacrifices of service members and a deep interest in military history. This unique perspective, combined with her expertise in curriculum development, drives her passion for fostering critical thinking and a truthful understanding of history among her students. She is dedicated to preparing young scholars to become informed and engaged citizens ready to make their mark on the world. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling to Savannah to visit her now-senior child at the Savannah College of Art and Design, taking her service dog on long walks, riding her bike that goes nowhere, and cheering on her favorite basketball and football teams.

 Arizona Heritage Center announces closure beginning in May

 

(INDEPENDENT NEWSMEDIA/MADELINE BATES)

Entrance to the Arizona Historical Society Museum

Posted Wednesday, April 29, 2026 2:54 pm

The Arizona Historical Society announced the Arizona Heritage Center will temporarily close to the public beginning May 17, 2026 to implement major improvements and upgrades throughout the building.

The museum is expected to remain closed through at least June 2027.

This closure follows the identification of repairs to  building systems, most significantly, the replacement of the building’s fire-suppression system.

These improvements will require the removal, protection, and reinstallation of exhibitions to ensure the long-term preservation of Arizona’s historical artifacts.

Secondary improvements and projects will focus on major updates to many of the museum’s permanent exhibit galleries, several of which have not been touched in nearly three decades.

“While this project may have started over an issue of facilities care, the end result will be a newer, more dynamic, and more refreshed museum: one that embodies the learning styles and tools of the 21st century in our exploration and celebration of the history of Arizona in those centuries past.” said AHS Director Dr. David Breeckner.

In preparation for the project, AHS will undertake a process to safely deinstall exhibitions and secure artifacts throughout the duration of the work. The scope and care required for this effort are expected to extend the closure for approximately one year.

Visitors are encouraged to plan their visit before May 17, 2026, as this will be the final opportunity to experience current exhibitions at the Arizona Heritage Center before the temporary closure.

While the museum galleries will be closed, the Arizona Heritage Center will continue to host public programs and events and welcome opportunities for partnering with community organizations. In addition, the Arizona Historical Society’s museum in Tucson will remain open and plans are underway to reopen the Pioneer Museum in Flagstaff this year.

The museum at 1300 N. College Avenue is open Tuesday-Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and admission is $15. 

Delivering Arizona’s Energy Promise John Graham & Diane E. Brown, Guest Commentary//April 24, 2026

 Honored as Arizona Historymaker 2025, John W. Graham continues to support Arizona.

Arizona Capital Times. Opinion - Let’s face it. Business leaders and consumer

advocates aren’t known for agreeing on the composition of our energy mix or the rates and charges consumers are assessed on their monthly bills. Therefore, it might surprise you to learn that, as part of Gov. Katie Hobbs’ Arizona Energy Promise Taskforce and after 40 working group meetings, we found agreement on nearly 30 recommendations. 

Along with academics, governmental representatives and utility executives, our entities utilized data and expertise to contemplate policy options and chart an energy future for our state. As a result, Arizona’s Energy Promise is comprised of broad principles that ensure energy reliability and affordability aren’t just goals, but standards. Additionally, Arizona’s Energy Promise incorporates a commitment to furthering a clean energy economy, in line with the work of the Arizona Commerce Authority, to attract investment and create high-quality jobs for individuals and families in both rural towns and urban centers. 

Although having principles to inform a direction is beneficial, specific recommendations to advance our energy future are arguably more meaningful. Arizona utilities have rightfully deserved recognition for their ability to keep our lights on, and provide power for our air conditioning and heating systems. However, current and projected population booms and infrastructure needs present intensified challenges and opportunities to maintain the reliability of our electric grid. Recognizing these factors, Arizona’s Energy Promise strives to remove unnecessary bureaucracy while maintaining public input for the permitting and siting of energy resources and infrastructure. To forward this objective, a voluntary permitting coordination council, including representatives of state agencies and industries, will be established.

When it comes to the affordability of utility bills, we appreciate the governor’s recent launch of Power AZ, as well as the programs that utilities and non-profits, such as Wildfire, administer to provide financial assistance. Though the programs are extremely beneficial for eligible households, Arizona’s Energy Promise seeks to reduce bill costs for households and businesses by amplifying and increasing opportunities to save money through energy efficiency. Through a Statewide Energy Efficiency Campaign, we can expect heightened awareness of Efficiency Arizona, utility offerings, and tips to save energy and save money

In order to expand our state’s clean energy economy, the existing and forthcoming workforce needs to be prepared as power plant conversions take place and new technologies emerge. Arizona’s Energy Promise endeavors to align and develop a next-gen energy efficiency and energy workforce training program. 

Energy reliability, ratepayer affordability and workforce development may be core components of Arizona’s Energy Promise but enhanced transparency and opportunities for Arizonans to offer their perspectives are also integrated throughout the Taskforce recommendations.

To say that our state is entering a new era in its energy future is an understatement. Similarly, it is an understatement to say that stakeholders and consumers will always agree on its direction. Yet, the fact that diverse entities discussed, debated and ultimately and overwhelmingly supported common-sense measures to arrive at Arizona’s Energy Promise sends a strong signal that we can work together for the betterment of Arizona. And that we should.

John Graham is the Chairman and CEO of Sunbelt Holdings, a recognized leader in real estate development, management and investment throughout the Southwest. 

Diane E. Brown is the Executive Director of Arizona PIRG (Arizona Public Interest Research Group) Education Fund, a statewide organization that focuses on protecting consumers. 

Cibecue National History Day students return to Maryland for National contest

The Historical League is a proud sponsor of National History Day AZ

Cibecue students return to the National History Day stage in Maryland. By Toni Gibbons staff writer, April 23, 2026

In a contest centering the past, a group of students from Dishchii’bikoh Community School in Cibecue proved their work is very much about the present.

At the National History Day Arizona State Competition, held April 11 in Phoenix through the Arizona Historical Society at South Mountain Community College, students from the Fort Apache-based school earned top honors while tackling one of history’s most complex themes: “Revolution, Reaction, Reform in History.”

Their projects didn’t just recount events. They examined how those moments continue to shape communities today, particularly Indigenous communities whose stories are often told from the outside looking in.

“Our students represented Dishchii’bikoh Community School with excellence,” advisor Jeron Velasco said in a statement. “They demonstrated strong historical understanding, critical thinking, and meaningful engagement with this year’s theme.”

That engagement translated into results across all divisions, with students earning placements, special awards and a national qualification.

In the senior division, Tanae Lupe led the way, earning second place in the individual exhibit category, multiple special awards and a national qualifying spot for her project, “Thanks to J.D.C. Atkinson, My Language is Dying.” She will advance to the National History Day competition this June at the University of Maryland.

Katelyn Thompson followed with a third-place finish in the same category for “Reform Within Limits: The Indian Citizenship Act,” earning designation as a national alternate.

Other senior division students added to the school’s strong showing. Matthew De Torres and Brady Tessay received a special award for “Viva Libertad,” while Marquez Duane, Kira Lupe and Christine Nightshield earned a special award for their project on Native boarding schools. Lily Dehose contributed a powerful entry titled “The Bodies That Never Came Back,” and Chasity Gregg, Rikkah Gregg and Clarence Goseyun examined Apache history through “Lozen: The Apache Lady Warrior.”

In the junior division, Erick Gasmen explored “When Reform Failed: Andrés Bonifacio and the Birth of the Philippine Revolution,” examining how revolutionary movements can emerge when reform efforts fall short.

In the youth division, Jacinta Kinuthia and Jeros Velasco presented “Flower Against Tanks: The Bloodless 1986 People Power Revolution of the Philippines,” highlighting a peaceful uprising that reshaped a nation’s government. 

Taken together, the projects reflected a wide geographic and cultural scope, but many shared a common thread: examining power, resistance and identity through deeply personal and often underrepresented perspectives.

That focus is at the heart of National History Day itself.

Founded in 1974 as a small regional contest in Cleveland, the program has grown into a nationwide academic competition that now engages more than half a million students each year. Through regional and state contests, students advance by researching topics tied to an annual theme, then presenting their work through exhibits, documentaries, performances, websites or research papers.

In Arizona, the program is coordinated through National History Day Arizona in partnership with the Arizona Historical Society, giving students access to research resources, mentorship and a pathway to national competition.

At DCS, that connection appears to run especially deep. From Indigenous language loss to the legacy of federal policy and the resilience of Native leaders, many of the students’ topics echoed issues still unfolding today.

School officials credited that success to a combination of student dedication and community support.

Velasco extended appreciation to the school board, administration, faculty and staff, along with families who supported students throughout the process. He also recognized coaches Simon Kibe and Gene Velasco for their guidance, and Virgil DeHose for ensuring transportation to the competition.

Julia Taggart preserving history of The Wallace and Ladmo Show"

Sunnyslope Historical Museum Director and Historical League member, Julia Taggart is making a difference.

Too young for 'Wallace and Ladmo,' she's now preserving its history

 Richard Ruelas

Arizona Republic

April 26, 2026, 5:01 a.m. MT

• Julia Taggart has led efforts to preserve the legacy of "The Wallace and Ladmo Show," despite being born after it went off the air.
• Her work resulted in a historic preservation designation for the show's original studio and a commemorative street naming.
• The Phoenix Public Library now offers a "Wallace and Ladmo" library card and Ladmo Bag prizes for its summer reading program.

“The Wallace and Ladmo Show” was a rich part of the childhood of many people who grew up in metro Phoenix. But not Julia Taggart. She was born 10 years after the show went off the air.

Still, Taggart has worked to keep alive the legacy of a show she never had the privilege of seeing during its 35-year broadcast run on KPHO-TV, Channel 5.

In the past two years, she worked to gain historic preservation status for the studio where the show was first filmed. She had a section of city street near that studio named Wallace and Ladmo Way.

And, in April, thanks to her efforts, the Phoenix Public Library system introduced a commemorative Wallace and Ladmo library card.

People who participate in the city’s summer reading program — open to readers of all ages — are eligible to win a Ladmo Bag, the paper sack of goodies given out as a prize on the show. It's still a sought-after item for those who never won one.

 

Taggart, 26, had not heard of “The Wallace and Ladmo Show” until 2023. But once she learned about it, she delved into its history.

“I fell into a Wallace and Ladmo rabbit hole,” she said, during an interview.

On its face, the program was a children’s show that featured cartoons. But it featured topical humor and a cast of flawed characters — a cowboy who didn’t know how to ride a horse, a blowhard superhero, a clown not thrilled with entertaining children — that brought in adults, too.

Then there was Gerald, the spoiled brat nephew of the television station’s general manager, whoever that was through the years, who inspired genuine hatred from children.

The show ran from 1954 to December 1989, capping a historic run that featured the same cast members: Bill Thompson as “Wallace” and Ladimir Kwiatkowski as “Ladmo.” Pat McMahon joined in 1960, playing myriad characters, including Gerald.

 

Documentary leads to museum leader position — and TV show history

Taggart stumbled into the history of "The Wallace and Ladmo Show" after agreeing, at age 22, to lead the Sunnyslope Historical Society.

She discovered the Sunnyslope institution in 2021, while a student at Paradise Valley Community College studying film and making a documentary about the history of Paradise Valley Mall.

The museum, which opened in 1999 and aimed to preserve the history of the north Phoenix neighborhood, was struggling to maintain visitors and was in danger of closing, Taggart said.

Taggart offered to take the volunteer job leading the museum. She said she is the youngest director of a historical museum in the country.

Through a family friend, she had heard of the amusement park Legend City that operated for a time in east Phoenix, near the Tempe border.

That was not Sunnyslope, but Taggart figured she could expand the mission of the museum as a way to bring in visitors.

Some 250 people showed up for the event, Taggart said.

One of the speakers was McMahon, who talked about the frequent stage shows he, Wallace and Ladmo would do at Legend City.

Taggart met McMahon for the first time there and decided she needed to find more ways the history of “The Wallace and Ladmo Show.”

She thought first about the ceremonial street renaming, a section of McKinley Street at Central Avenue, just north of the original KPHO-TV studio. A mural of Wallace, Ladmo and Gerald, already adorned the side of the building.

That effort took some time getting through city council approval, she said. It passed the council in March 2025. The sign was unveiled in April 2025.

 

She also worked to get historic designation for the original KPHO-TV building, which now houses the community arts space, First Studio.

That designation, granted by Phoenix officials in December, required her researching the history of the building and assembling a list of celebrities who graced the studio’s stage. Among them, Taggart said, was Lynda Carter, who appeared on the station as a child before growing up to become television’s original Wonder Woman.

Then came the idea for a library card.

Library cards and opportunity to win an official Ladmo Bag

Taggart thought a Wallace and Ladmo card might bring in an older demographic to the library. She pitched library officials on the idea that adult readers could take part in a summer reading program, traditionally the province of kids.

The city said some participants in the program would win Ladmo Bags. They are official bags donated by the Wallace and Ladmo Foundation, a non-profit formed by McMahon and others involved with the show.

 

Taggart also worked behind the scenes to curate and organize the show’s video archives, placing them in the hands of Dan Horn, a ventriloquist who performed and wrote on the show during the late 70s and 80s.

Horn created a Facebook page devoted to the show that has more than 40,000 followers. Some of those fans, he said, were just finding out about the show through the social media site.

“I think the world of (Taggart),” Horn said, during a phone interview. “She’s instrumental. That would be my word for her. There are a lot of things that would not have happened had it not been for her.”

Horn said Taggart has a devotion to preserving history that belies her age. She also persists in her projects despite obstacles.

“She can be like a little bulldog sometimes,” Horn said. “She’s tenacious. When she wants something she finds a way to get through.”

Taggart said she has found other young people who were born in Arizona and feel a drive to preserve its history.

“I think it’s important to look back to the past and ask where we came from,” she said.

And a children's show happens to be part of Phoenix’s history, something Taggart has felt anytime she took part of a Wallace and Ladmo-related event.

“Even after 35 years people still talk about it,” Taggart said. “They talk about it with such fondness … . To feel that impact people had from the show, it’s amazing.”

Her next plan: draft legislation to take to the Arizona Legislature to allow for a Wallace and Ladmo license plate.

Proceeds, she said, would benefit The Wallace and Ladmo Foundation, the non-profit created in 2015 with the twin aims of preserving the legacy of the show and encouraging kids’ interest in the performing arts.

Though Taggart didn’t grow up with the show, members of her family did. Though they never really talked about it with her until she started taking the mantle of preserving the show’s legacy.

Her 70-year-old father, Jack, for whom Taggart serves as a full-time caretaker, was a big fan.

“A lot of what I do for the history of the show is to honor him,” she said, “and preserve his childhood.”

The "Wallace and Ladmo Show" has been off the air for more than 35 years. That's as long as it was on the air.

Since it left the airwaves, the show was the subject of retrospective books, CDs and DVDs. A stage at the state fairgrounds, where the troupe regularly performed, was named after it. There's a statue at the Phoenix Zoo .

And, largely due to Taggart's efforts, a street sign and historic designation for the studio where the show started. Taggart said fans of the show have asked her why she didn't start this work sooner.

"Ten years ago, I was a junior in high school planning prom," she said. "Twenty years ago, I was six."

Annual Volunteer Luncheon and Meeting May 14, 2026 at Phoenix Country Club