Renee Donnelly, 1936-2023, long-time Historical League member

It is with sadness that we share the news of the passing of our dear, longtime Historical League member Renee Donnelly, 1936-2023. Joining in 1986 she held many leadership positions including Historymakers Chair 1995, President 1992-93 and Arizona Historymakers Recognition Chair 2011. She continued to be involved in the Historical League even when she was so very ill. 

Chairing the 1995 Historymakers Gala, she had a great appreciation for her honorees.

Husband Jack and her family were the highlights of her life. She will be missed.

 https://www.azcentral.com/obituaries/par071384

Turquoise & Treasures Celebration October 14, 2023 at Arizona Heritage Center at Papago Park.

 Turquoise & Treasures Celebration October 14, 2023 at Arizona Heritage Center at Papago Park.

Photographer Scott Baxter shares enthusiasm for AZ Historymaker Program

At a recent event at  Western Spirit: Scottsdale's Museum of the West, noted photographers Scott Baxter and Werner Segarra shared their techniques of capturing images of ranchers and vaqueros of Arizona and Mexico. Baxter  commented on his work with the Historical League, thanking the group for preserving Arizona’s history with the Arizona Historymakers Program. Scott has photographed many of the Historymakers including the 2023 honorees: 

Frank M. Barrios, Angel Delgadillo, Dolan Ellis, Honorable Terry Goddard, Denise D. Resnik, Jeffrey M. Trent Ph.D., Daniel D. Von Hoff M.D., Mrs. Elizabeth J. White. The Historymakers Celebration “Turquoise & Treasures” will be held October 14, 2023 at Arizona Heritage Center at Papago Park. 

Included in The Gather exhibit ending August 27 at Western Spirit are the best of several fine art photography projects by Scott T. Baxter over the past 22 years. The exhibition is just in time for the 10th anniversary of the Arizona state centennial — at which time Baxter was recognized as an Arizona Culturekeeper for his efforts to photographically preserve Arizona’s heritage.

Historical League Scrapbook with NHDAZ

 So grateful to Katie Tovar who continues to document Historical League event with scrapbooks filled with wonderful photos.

"I made 4 pages in the scrapbook for National History Day and got some good pictures of events here in AZ and in Washington, D.C. 

I hope to be active with our NHD committee next year. It is an activity close to my heart." 😊Katie

National History Day AZ student Andrew Glassmeyer

 Thank you Arizona Historic League for making Arizona NHD possible. My memories from my NHD experience will last forever, especially the friendly people I met along the way and the many life skills I learned. The Day at the Museum was very helpful in providing me with feedback for adjustments to my exhibit for nationals including insights on using different visuals. Thank you for covering the shipping fees of my Sesame Street exhibit and helping us with travel options. NHD is a very powerful learning experience that, if done correctly, can change lives, like what it did for me. Thank you so much for making NHD Arizona possible in a way that impacts students.

Sincerely,

Andrew Glassmeyer

Sesame Street: New Frontiers in Intellectual and Social Education

6th Grade 2022-2023

New Vistas Center for Education

Hallelujah Hats exhibit

How great to hear from Cathy Shumard who shares, "Tom and I visited with Bruce Nelson who curated Hallelujah Hats on its last exhibit day.

The Historical League is happy to have supported this exhibit.

Photos by Claire Nullmeyer.

Scrapbooks and Old Ned

 Katie Tovar writes, "Sharron McKinney and I decided to look up the old scrapbooks to see how the League has changed over the years. This is a picture of our first scrapbook in 1980 and our newest scrapbook, 2022-2023. One thing that hasn’t changed at all - our mascot Old Ned!" Additional photo is 1981-1982 scrapbook.