NHDAZ student builds AZ Historymaker John F. Long website

Congrats to National History Day AZ student Aarav Senthilkumar, a 6th grader from New Vistas Center for Education in Chandler who designed a website featuring John F. Long. https://site.nhd.org/02079413/home

One of the 45 students headed to Wash. D.C. and NHD finals in June, he visited the AZHC to research materials and find artifacts. During his visit he filmed the scale model of a John F. Long solar electric home, as well as found great resources for his project.

Needing an interview with a primary source, Historical League member Josie Pete was happy to share stories of her first and second home in Maryvale, built by John F. Long. Her insight was invaluable.

Aarav’s teacher Stacey Trepanier commented, “It has been inspiring working with Aarav on his NHD project this year, as he started with such a broad topic of air conditioning and narrowed it down to a more specific story that connected to his community and how he lives today. That is the beauty of NHD-it allows students like Aarav to connect with history at all levels, and discover unknown stories through in-depth research, primary sources, and interviews. I feel confident as he leaves my classroom; he is prepared to tackle any research project that lies ahead of him.”

John F. Long was honored by the Historical League as an Arizona Historymaker in 2001 for his contributions to the state. The League Is proud to support the National History Day AZ program. www.historicalleague.org/historymakers/john-f-long

Historymaker Bil Keane statue

Honored as a Historymaker in 1992, Bil Keane contributed much to Arizona. A beautiful statue of his famous cartoon "Giddy-Up Daddy"
was recently installed at McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park in Scottsdale as another tribute to this generous Arizonan. Many of his fellow Historymakers contributed to this installation including The Bombecks (Erma was a Historymaker in 1993 ), Audrie and Joe Garagiola (Joe honored in 2008) and The Long family (John F. Long honored in 2001). The Railroad Park is a popular place for children and families, complete with train rides, train museum and carousel.

Oral Histories for www.HistoricalLeague.org

Since the Historymakers Gala and Recognition Program started in 1992, we have honored 55 notable Arizonans and recorded their stories; such names as John F. Long, Barbara Barrett, Erma Bombeck, John Rhodes and Adam Diaz.
Interviewing our Historymakers for their oral history is a daunting task yet very rewarding. As each person tells his life story, we begin to visualize their life, their childhood, their education, their career, their impression of Arizona.
This summer, members of the cookbook committee and many other Historical League members edited these oral histories so they could be put on www.HistoricalLeague.org. Pictured are Zona Lorig and myself working on Barry Goldwater interviews. As a Centennial Legacy Project, the League’s website will contain all the Historymakers personal stories along with formal portraits and family photos, making this information readily available to the public.
I did not realize how extensive this project was we started it. Comparing it to a great novel, comes to mind. You don’t want to put the book down or have the story end. It will debut this fall. Visit www.HistoricalLeague.org to enjoy a good read and help celebrate Arizona’s Centennial.