Past Historymakers attend 2025 Historymakers Announcement event

 Many previously honored Arizona Historymakers attended the 2025 Historymakers Announcement event. Turns out a lot of them know each other! 

Historymaker Announcement Event Guests

 Distinguished guests filled the lobby at the 2023 Arizona Historymaker Announcement event on Feb 23. Historymakers from past years were on hand to welcome the 2023 honorees. They all know each other as they have worked together and planned together and contributed to the growth of Arizona.

Phoenix Home & Garden about 2019 Historymakers exhibit

Historymakers exhibit at the Arizona Heritage Center displayed in Phoenix Home & Garden, January 2021.

The exhibit features amazing Arizonans who have been honored by the Historical League: Betsey Bayless, Dr. Arthur De Cabooter, Michael J. Fox, Alfredo Gutierrez, Merrill Mahaffey and Vernon D. Swaback.

www.arizonahistoricalsociety.org/museums/tempe

Historymakers Exhibit Opening in Scottsdale Progress

From the Scottsdale Progress Oct 27, 2019

“This is what I do best,” former Arizona Secretary of State Betsey Bayless quipped with a pair of shears in her hands. 

After a short countdown, Bayless, surrounded by a few of her 2019 Arizona Historymakers cohort, cut the blue ribbon for the Arizona Historical League’s 2019 Arizona Historymakers Exhibit at the Arizona Heritage Center in Papago Park.

The now-open exhibit follows the 2019 Arizona Historymakers “Turquoise and Tuxedos” Gala that took place Feb. 23, at the Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa, where six distinguished Arizonans were recognized for their lasting contribution to the community in diverse areas, including the arts, education, healthcare, communications, community service, and philanthropy.

2019 Historymaker Exhibit Opening on October 24

Historical League is proud to present the 2019 Historymakers Lobby Exhibit at AZ Heritage Center at Papago Park on October 24. Honored are Betsey Bayless, Dr. Arthur Cabooter, Michael J. Fox, Alfredo Gutierrez, Merrill Mahaffey and Vernon D. Swaback.
The exhibit will showcase the exceptional contributions the 2019 honorees have made to our state and provide viewers direct access to the amazing oral histories and accomplishments of each diverse group of Historymakers since the program's inception in 1992. 
The Exhibit will open Thursday, October 24 and stay open during regular museum hours.

Scottsdale Progress writes in-depth article about 2019 Historymakers Gala

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Scottsdale Independent writes about 2019 Historymakers Gala

DeCabooter, Swaback & Fox among 2019 ‘Historymakers’

Mar 1st, 2019 · by Scottsdale Independent · Comments: 0

The 2019 Historymakers are, from left, Merrill Mahaffey, Mike Fox, Art DeCabooter, Vern Swaback, Betsey Bayless & Alfredo Gutierrez. (Submitted photo)

The Arizona Historical League has once again recognized the state’s best, brightest and most influential minds through its annual Historymakers Gala and Recognition Program, held Feb. 23 at the Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa.

Almost 400 people attended the gala event, which was held on the 90th anniversary of the Grand Opening of the Arizona Biltmore. The attendees were treated to an enjoyable evening of history and entertainment, according to a press release.

The “Historymakers” are Arizonans who have made lasting contributions to Arizona by distinguishing themselves in diverse areas, including education, architecture and the arts.

“We were very pleased with the event and the appreciation shown toward these six distinguished figures in Arizona’s history,” Diana Smith, the Historymakers recognition chairman, said in a prepared statement.

“Our 2019 recipients are highly diverse, and yet they share a common thread –– they’re all dedicated to making substantial, positive impacts on the state and their surrounding communities.”

Through biographies, portraits, oral histories, photos and memorabilia, the Historymakers’ life stories are archived and exhibited at the Arizona Historical Society Museum. Past honorees include Sandra Day O’Connor, Bil Keane, Eddie Basha, Senator Jon Kyl, Dr. Robert Spetzler and many others.

Dr. Art DeCabooter & Mary DeCabooter (Submitted photo)

The 2019 Arizona Historymakers honorees include:

Betsey Bayless: A third-generation Arizonan, Ms. Bayless has served as Arizona secretary of state, Maricopa County board supervisor, and president and CEO for Maricopa Integrated Health System.

Dr. Arthur DeCabooter: Dr. DeCabooter served as the president of Scottsdale Community College for over 30 years, and chaired for 15 years the citizen commission responsible for defining Scottsdale’s 30,000-acre Preserve.

Michael J. Fox: Mr. Fox, the founding director and CEO of Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West, has been a leader in art and cultural institutions for almost his entire career.

Alfredo Gutierrez: Mr. Gutierrez served in the Arizona State Senate and was both the majority leader and minority leader. He also served as the president of Maricopa County College Governing Board.

Merrill Mahaffey: An undeniable icon within Arizona and the Southwest arts scene, Mr. Mahaffey has enjoyed more than four decades as a nationally recognized painter.

Vernon D. Swaback: At the age of 17, Mr. Swaback was the youngest student ever to be invited by Frank Lloyd Wright into the Taliesin Fellowship. His Scottsdale-based firm is responsible for some of the most significant planning projects in Arizona’s history.

Vernon Swaback & Cille Swaback (Submitted photo)

The Historical League has been honoring the state’s Historymakers and hosting its biannual event since 1992 with the purpose of:

• Raising funds for education, exhibits, and other programs that assist the Arizona Heritage Center in Papago Park;
• Contributing to the museum’s artifact, oral history and photograph collections;
• Increasing public awareness of the 80,000-square-foot history museum; and
• Recognizing and honoring outstanding living Arizonans and celebrating Arizona’s Statehood Day, Feb. 14, 1912.

For more about the program and past honorees, visit HistoricalLeague.org.

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Tags:Arizona Historical Society · Breaking · Historymakers · Scottsdale

Very Successful 2019 Historymakers Gala

It was a wonderful Historymaker Gala honoring six distinguished Arizonans Saturday, Feb 23, 2019 at the AZ Biltmore Resort in the Grand Ballroom. 
Such inspiring, heart-felt speeches. 
Such Turquoise and Western outfits. 
Such delicious food. 
Such a crowd. 
Such an outstanding, well-organized event!
Congratulations to Betsey Bayless, Dr. Arthur DeCabooter, Michael J. Fox, Alfredo Gutierrez, Merrill Mahaffey and Vernon D. Swaback.

Co-chairs Diana Smith and Pat Faur

Co-chairs Pat Faur and Diana Smith did a marvelous job!

Silent Auction co-ordinator Carolyn Hartman and Historical League President Mary Garbaciak

Cathy Shumard and Ruth Mcleod

Mary and Bill Parker, Lee Rogers, Al McLeod

Mary and Rob Ward with Greeter Renee Donnelly

2019 Historymakers Gala and Recognition Program

Since 1992 the HistorymakersTM Gala and Recognition program has honored distinguished Arizonans who made lasting contributions to the community and distinguished themselves in diverse areas such as the arts, education, healthcare, communications, community service and philanthropy. The tradition continues on Feb 23 for 2019 Historymakers Gala at AZ Biltmore Resort. Tickets at www.HistoricalLeague.org

2019 Historymaker Gala and Recognition Program

The Historical League is proud to present Turquoise & Tuxedos 2019 Arizona Historymakers Gala. On February 23, 2019 at the Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa, the Historical League will be honoring six new Arizona Historymakers for their contributions to Arizona’s heritage and culture.

Meet Our 2019 Arizona Historymakers:

L to R:

Michael J. Fox, Founding Director and CEO of Western Spirit: Scottsdale Museum of the West

Merrill Mahaffey; Western Artist, Painter & Teacher

Alfredo Gutierrez, Arizona State Senator & Community Activist

Dr. Arthur DeCabooter, Educator and Land Preservationist (seated)

Vernon Swaback, Internationally Recognized Architect

Betsey Bayless, Arizona Secretary of State, Health and Civic Leader

2019 Historymakers Announced at AZ Heritage Center

It was a perfect evening at AZ Heritage Center on Feb 13 to announce the new 2019 Historymakers. Museum Director Tawn Downs introduced Arizona's official historian and 2014 Historymaker Marshall Trimble. Marshall then announced the next honorees for Historymakers Gala 2019.

Congratulations to
Betsey Bayless: Arizona Secretary of State, Health and Civic Leader
Dr. Arthur DeCabooter: Educator, Land Preservationist
Michael J. Fox: Art and Heritage Preservationist
Alfredo Gutierrez: Arizona State Senator and Community Activist
Merrill Mahaffey: Western Artist, Painter
Vernon D. Swaback: Internationally Recognized Architect