October Historical League meeting had lots of business and lots of smiles

 Smiling faces at the October Historical League meeting as we have a lovely lunch, listen to guest speaker Sarah Biggerstaff discuss the new Eddie Basha exhibit at Chandler Museum and have our business meeting.

Thanks to Katie Tovar for the great photos taken during the meeting at Arizona Heritage Center at Papago Park.

George Washington Carver Museum and Cultural Center Tour

 "A trip down memory lane . . ." Dr. Josephine Pete described the tour of George Washington Carver Museum and Cultural Center as she shared enlightening stories. "What I enjoyed most was taking it with our league members."

Thanks to Josie for the photos. Thanks to Clede Gorrell and Mary McMahon for organizing this educational and fascinating tour. More at https://www.carveraz.org/

George Washington Carver H.S. teacher and graduates include our own AZ Historymakers: Eugene Grigsby 1992 honoree, Calvin Goode 2003 honoree and Morrison Warren 1997 honoree. Our tour brought their stories to life.

"Despite the deficiencies of Carver's facilities, students were able to acquire quality education. Many graduates of the school have held professional and management positions. Carver graduates include Doug Nelson, Assistant Chief of Police for Phoenix; Travis Williams, City of Phoenix Human Resources Director; Dr. William Maxwell, President of Fresno Community College; Dr. Morrison F. Warren, Phoenix City Councilman, and Professor at Arizona State University; Hadie Redd, Assistant District Attorney in San Francisco; and Calvin C. Goode, the longest-serving City Council member in Phoenix history. Carver High School had a high profile in the African American community.

When Arizona achieved statehood in 1912, only two laws addressed the question of segregation. One of these laws prevented "intermarriage between persons of Caucasian blood and their descendants with Negroes."

The other law provided for the establishment of segregated elementary schools. By 1925, Phoenix had three black elementary schools-Dunbar, Frederick Douglass, and Booker T. Washington.

Phoenix was not required to build a separate black high school and did not for several years. After anti-African American sentiment increased following World War I, it was deemed necessary to separate black and white high school students.

In 1918, the "Department for Colored Students," later known as the Phoenix Union Colored High School, was established." -

K. Weight, City of Phoenix Report"

Thanks to Katie Tovar for these photos inside the museum.

Jazz scene, artist Mary Gray. 

Historical information along the hallway of the Museum

Gift shop

Laundry, a watercolor by OL Stanley.   

African American dolls from the Museum’s collection

Sculpture by John Henry Waddell "That Which Might Have Been"

Historical information along the hallway of the Museum.

Current Exhibit, Photography by Joseph Schwartz 

Jamey Palm, Office and Facilities Manager

Tour of Arizona Jewish Historical Society, Cutler Plotkin Jewish Heritage Center

 Thanks to Clede Gorrell and Mary McMahon for organizing this tour.

AZJHS appreciates the Historical League for visiting the Stories of Survival: An Immersive Journey through the Holocaust. These wonderful ladies were provided a great presentation by Second Generation survivor, Dr. Ettie Zilber!

Ettie Zilber

It was a pleasure to address the Arizona Historical League. From among my 6 different presentations, they chose to learn about the impact of the Holocaust on the second generation. There were many questions and comments. I was thrilled to hear this one-word comment- "Spellbinding," Wow!

Paul Markow Professional Photographer guest speaker February 2024

 Insightful visions of 1950-1970 Phoenix were presented by professional photographer Paul Markow at our February Historical League meeting. He was there to capture so many faces and times. With his dry wit, his commentary on each photo made you feel like you were part of the moment.

Staying for lunch after his presentation, Paul visited with League members and turns out he knew some of them and their families.

Volunteers enjoy 2023 Arizona Historymakers Celebration

 All work but lots of play too. That's what Historical League volunteers are all about. Organizing and distributing name tags for the 300+ who attended the 2023 AZ Historymakers™ Celebration is a serious job. These ladies made it fun too!

150 Tastes & Treasures Vol II gifted to Glendale Elementary School District

 Arizona’s historic hospitality venues, AZ Historymakers, special people in our lives along with their stories and recipes are told through Tastes & Treasures Vol II: A Storytelling Cookbook of Historic Arizona. 

The Historical League supports Arizona’s teachers. Working with School Connect, Clede Gorrell and Nina Filippi delivered gifts of 150 of these award-winning books to Glendale Elementary School District.

Just Ask Claire

 How do you plan a party announcing the 2023 Arizona Historymakers? One that fills the Arizona Heritage Center lobby to overflowing? Just ask Claire Nullmeyer to do it.

Historymaker Program Chair Diana Smith put it very well when she sent out thank you notes.

“Claire -- for your endless hours and love -- the cakes, the decorations, the tables, the reception table, ironing table covers, the flowers, the coordinating of AHS staff, the food service, the ordering of all the goodies, Mrs. White's special cake, --- all the myriad of details down to all the cleanup you did last night and returning the linens today. . . more than kudos.”

Bring a Guest to the January meeting

Guest visitors were a highlight of the January meeting. Lots of smiling faces learning about Arizona history and making new friends. Here are a few of them. 

League members introduced their guests during the meeting making this a wonderful way to get to know the person.

guest Cheryl Walker introduced by Clede Gorrell

Susan Dale with guest Dr. Parvin Bonocdar

Zona Lorig with guest Mary Perona

Norma Jean Coulter, guest Karla Elliot, Mariamne Moore, guest Martha Langley, guest Jim Elliot

Pat Grogg with guest Elizabeth Freeburg

Diane Smith, guest Sonya Moliqua, Pam Betz

guest Cheryl Walker with Clede Gorrell

President Chris Hackett introduces her guest Kit Locker

Diane Smith, Pat Faur, guest Elizabeth Freeburg

Guest speaker Jan Cleare with guest Barbara Marriott

guest Kit Locker with Diane Smith