Norma Jean Coulter is moderator at Arizona History Mini Convention

 Always busy with Arizona history, Historical League member Norma Jean Coulter (and Arizona History Convention board member) was a moderator at the Sept 26-27 convention in Tucson. 

Arizona History Convention posts: Many thanks to all 110 attendees of the 2026 Arizona History Mini Convention! 

Be sure to follow our FB page or check our website for information about the 2027 conference in Tempe. Date TBD, but likely late October or early November. 

Call for Papers and more information will be available Spring 2027.

Indigenous Arizona panel featuring Dr. John Mack, Dr. David Martinez, and Ciaran Doherty with moderator Norma Jean Coulter.

Juneteenth at new location

 

Oral History conference April 27-29 in Tempe

The Southwest Oral History Association (SOHA), includes Arizona, California, Nevada, and New Mexico, and is affiliated with the national, Oral History Association.  The annual conferences rotate among the states; April 27-29 will be in Tempe at the Doubletree, Priest and Broadway.  Oral history is not only used for academic research, but also for community, personal and family history.   The conference is an excellent place to learn from and network with oral historians.

An introductory workshop is offered, which will train attendees in accepted practices: legal and ethical, as well as preparation and techniques for interviewing and transcription.  There will also be a mini-workshop on digital oral history.  Of the 13 sessions, a few highlights are: oral history without an institution, several panels on Latino/a and Native American topics, dance at Taliesin West, and another on legislation and policy.  The full conference registration fee includes a reception buffet and two lunches, as well as two films.   The early bird rate ends April 12.  To see rates and to register go to www.southwestoralhistory.org/conference.  For questions, contact Sarah at 480-962-6227 or sarahemoorhead@centurylink.net.

Museum Day - Free Admission Sept 28

Sept 28 is the day to visit Museums free during Smithsonian Magazine Museum Day Live! go to smithsonianmag.com/museumday.org for your free ticket.

Visit Arizona Historical Society Museum at Papago Park 10 am - 4 pm. 1300 N. College Ave, Tempe, Az.        480-929-0292 for information.

Inside Hayden Flour Mill

Carolyn Mendoza is amazed at the pipes overhead

There are pipes curving everywhere on the ceiling. Think of gobs of spaghetti and you get the picture. We don't know the function of all those chutes, valves, generators, hoses, ladders, tubing and belts but it must have been very noisy and dusty with flour powder everywhere. What would OSHA think?

 One of my favorite items is the safe. Mary Garbaciak shows us the date of 1849. What stories that safe could tell.

Tour chair Mary Garbaciak points out the 1849 date.

Beautiful Victorian scroll painting inside and out.