National History Day AZ State Competition at ASU

Volunteering for NHDAZ state competition was fun and inspiring. The League is proud to support National History Day AZ students and teachers with funding as well as volunteering. 158 excited students competed!

Presentation for NHDAZ were educational, well researched and varied. Kudos to all the students participating in State Competition. Dr. Kristen Rex is a driving force for National History Day AZ.

Chris Hackett, Claire Nullmeyer and AHS Kaydia Forgia at registration

The Babbitt Family Award was presented at NHDAZ by Ollie Babbitt and his daughter, Shari Nelson. Dr. Kristen Rex (VP Education at AHS) was delighted to meet him. A WWII veteran who served in Iwo Jima, he will turn 100 this year!

The audience gave Ollie Babbitt a beautiful standing ovation.

Ollie Babbitt and his daughter, Shari Nelson present Babbitt Family Award

Claire Nullmeyer and Chris Hackett help students register

NHDAZ students share insight into the program

 The Historical League is pleased to sponsor National History Day AZ.

1992 Historymakers Gala Evening Production

Hidden for 30 years in the archives, it is fascinating to watch the dignitaries attending the 1992 Arizona Historymakers Gala. Held at the brand new AHS museum in Papago Park, the crowd was dressed in their finest. Kent Dana was MC for the evening.

Enjoy a walk down memory lane with the very first Gala honoring Philip Curtis, Barry Goldwater, Robert Goldwater Sr., J. Eugene Grigsby Jr, Bil Keane, Sandra Day O’Connor, Frank Snell, The Wallace & Ladmo Team: Vladimir Kwiatkowski, Pat McMahon, Bill Thompson. YouTube.com/@arizonahistoricalleague

History of AZ Heritage Center Musuem

Linda Whitaker shows us some of the hundreds of
boxes of records she went through this summer.

The first meeting of the year with President Anne Lupica included a wonderful talk by museum archivist Linda Whitaker. Linda values the League and all it does, impressing on us the need for keeping accurate records as well as taking oral histories of our members to provide the emotional side of the story.

President Anne Lupica and Linda Whitaker hand out some printed history of the museum.

Susie Brinegar (L) and Renee Donnelly (R) greet Linda after her talk.

Original AHS Museum was the Ellis Shakelford house on Central Ave.

Historical League September Meeting

General Membership Meeting  Date: 9/12/2016

Our Fall season starts with Linda Whitaker, Archivist, speaking on the history of the museum building and funding of the AZ Heritage Center at Papago Park which is the Arizona Historical Society's Museum in Tempe.
Meeting 10:00 - 11:15 am. 
Lunch 11:30 am - 12:15 pm ($15 suggested donation) 
Guest Speaker 12:15 - 1:00 pm. 

New sign for AZ Heritage Center

Looking good with new signage for the Arizona Historical Society Museum at 1300 N. College Ave, Tempe, AZ 85281.

March Tour of Sandra Day O'Connor house and Rose Eisendrath house

Join us on a visit of the Sandra Day O'Connor house and the Rose Eisendrath house on March 10. Meet at the AZ Heritage Center at 9:30 am for a guided tour by former Tempe mayor Hugh Hallman. Lunch after the tour catered by The Dancing Chef. $25 for members. $35 for non-members. Contact Claire Nullmeyer for details.

New Museum Name

Historymakers 2014 Exhibit

Exciting things happening with AHS. New name for the museum is Arizona Heritage Center at Papago Park. The new director Tawn Downs made the official announcement at the Unveiling of 2014 Historymakers Exhibit. We are looking forward to seeing the Heritage Center grow with her vision of making it a Cultural Center, a gathering place, more open to the public with events in the courtyard and speaking engagements.

Museum Director Tawn Downs

2014 Historymaker Lattie Coor and
daughter in law Rachel Coor

Historymaker Justice Sandra Day O'Connor and Renee Donnelly

Rachel Coor and Sandra Day O'Connor with Tawn Downs

AHS Museum new name is Arizona Heritage Center at Papago Park

Tawn Downs Museum Director

The "Unveiling of 2014 Historymakers Exhibit" on October 22 brought dignitaries, supporters and Historymakers to the Museum. Tawn Downs, the new AHS Central Division Director, thanked the League for all its support and laid out her vision for a focused marketing initiative to increase the visibility of the museum in the Valley. She also announced the new name of our museum: AZ Heritage Center at Papago Park.

Entrance to Museum

2014 Historymaker Exhibit shows Jim Bruner and Marshall Trimble

Elva Coor, 2003 Historymaker Calvin C. Goode,
2014 Historymaker co chair Mary Parker

SRP supports Historymakers "History in the Making" Exhibit Opening

Peter Hayes, Associate General Manager
& Chief Public Affairs Executive for SRP

SRP generously sponsored our “History in the Making” event and was represented that evening by Peter Hayes who spoke about the critical contributions SRP has made to the history and development of Arizona. The Historical League is very grateful for the support SRP has provided over many years to our Historymaker Gala and Recognition Program.

Reception prior to Unveiling of Historymakers Exhibit

Historymakers Exhibit

History in the Making Oct 22 at the Museum

 Event Chair Anne Lupica with Andrea Evans

Check in table with Tom Lorig

Beautiful skies over the courtyard at AHS Museum set the mood for a fabulous "Unveiling of the 2014 Historymakers Exhibit."  Anne Lupica organized a memorable event with dignitaries, speeches, food and drink. We were pleased to have many 2014 Historymakers in attendance along with previous Historymakers.
A big thank you to SRP for their sponsorship.

Historymakers L to R    Calvin C. Goode, Marshall Trimble, Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, Jim Bruner, Lattie Coor,
Maxine Lakin, Bill Shover

2003 Historymaker Jack Pfister Extraordinary Life: Panel Discussion

Jack Pfister and Lattie Coor at Historymakers Gala

One of the state's foremost civic leaders, Jack Pfister 1933-2009, has a new book written about his life called "Water, Power and Persuasion: How Jack Pfister Shaped Modern Arizona." A panel discussion featuring 2014 Historymaker Lattie Coor, 2008 Historymaker Elisabeth Ruffner and lawmaker Art Hamilton along with author Kathleen Ingley will present his unique story.

Tuesday, Oct 20 from 6:30-8:00pm at Burton Barr Central Library.

The Historical League began the Historymakers Recognition Program in 1992 and has honored over 64 individuals as Historymakers. A reception at the AHS Museum at Papago Park on October 22 will feature these Historymakers in a new interactive exhibit.
RSVP. www.regonline/historyinthemaking

www.Jackpfister.com to order copies of the book.
www.HistoricalLeague.org to read his biography and oral history.