NHDAZ students participate in Juneteenth Celebration

 Check out these three students in NHDAZ who went to National competition this year. Stacey Trepanier has been instrumental in teaching National History Day students for many years.

She comments, "Could not be more proud of these three students. They were asked to share their talents with our community for the Arizona Historical Society's Juneteenth Celebration."

The Historical League is proud to support NHDAZ.

Juneteenth Celebration at Arizona Heritage Center

Many facebook posts about AZHC Juneteenth Celebration: 

Bradley D Blalock is with Todd Bailey at Arizona Historical Society Museum.

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Did you know Arizona held its first Juneteeth Celebration in 1911 organized by Fuller T Washington? They called it ‘Emancipation Day’ back then.

Wonderful Juneteenth panel with Lee Henry Jordan (State Director for the National Juneteeth Observance Day), Honorable Judge Lauren Guyton, Quentin Jenkins, and Joy Johnson. Wonderful to hear about the meaning of Juneteeth, freedom for all along with so many African Americans that have contributed so much to the world and Arizona history like Jesse Owens, Jackson 5, Mohammed Ali, Fuller T Washington, Reggie Jackson, the Jackson 5 (whose grandparents had homes in Phx & Northern Az). You too Todd Baily, thank you for invite!

photo credits: Redline Designs

Todd Bailey describes the entertainment at Juneteenth, "Thank you so much Ms Liona Edwards and Ms Aubrey Scott for bringing to life an idea I had in my head and heart centered around the beautiful resilient hearts of the black children of the 20th century and those born in enslavement. The beautiful song “Angelitos Negros” arranged, in Spanish by Roberta Flack spoke to me for this piece. We have such a specific history in the Sonoran Desert. I wanted it to resonate with the audience and you two nailed it. Congratulations. I know you both have amazing futures." 

Thank you Kathy Blaze Jefferson, for your comedic acting talents. And for your friendship. You made “The Cookout” a scream and the audience loved you. Here’s to your certain future as a thespian! 

Nele B Wright You took us back in time on this one! Many people don’t even know that the song “Funky Broadway” is not about NYC… but it’s about a black club in the 1960’s on Broadway Road in Phoenix Arizona. Working with you is always a joy and I know Ms Charlene was there next to your Mother in the audience. I can hear her saying “Toddddd, that was so good, how you captured the feeling of those times!” And I know she is proud of you. Thank you so much babygirl. 

Thank you, Thank you, Thank You Khaila L. Shelbe for what was a very very special moment for me and Mother. “Black Leaves” was dedicated to the migration of our family from Money/Greenwood Mississippi to Mesa, Arizona. What would prove to be a very important move for the next generations to come. Khaila I saw you grab up the movement I gave you and come back with more and more “seasonings” on them. I felt the power of black matriarchy as you delivered this piece and I just love working with you. Thank you for making the time to sink your teeth into the moment. 

It’s hard to find the words to explain how much I adore and respect this Lady’s talent, and hard work ethic. Sandra Bassett, thank you for being open and eager to join forces for the last two Juneteenth Celebrations. I love that I gave you some seedling ideas…and you brought Broadway worthy characters to the stage and so specific to the stories of migrating and settling in Arizona as a black woman. I had to contain my emotions for the second year in a row to keep stage managing. And thank you for singing one of our favorite songs ….These Three Words…. because it’s a timely message. All that matters is love right now. Keep on climbing my Sister. So proud of you.

Todd Bailey:  My babies!!!! Michael Miles and Micah Brown, you have been my secret weapon for three years and I love the creative process with you all as much as the actual event. Thank you for sharing your talent with me and the community. I know you are both busy and you make time to be fabulous and learn my choreography and besides that, your presence keeps me confident and moving forward when I get a little unsure about my vision. You guys made “Funky Broadway” so much fun. I miss you already!!!

Still Marching” Michael Miles Khaila L. Shelbe Kathy Blaze Jefferson El Zander

was a performance art piece about a few of the ways we have marched together as people here in Arizonas Black History. We marched to the cotton fields in the blazing sun to make Goodyear Tire Company a Fortune 500 company, we marched to baptize in the desert canals among the beautiful desert landscape, and we marched and still march to fight the ongoing fight for human dignity and our rights and against police brutality. The white fabric represented cotton, the blue was water, the red….. was the blood spilled in American streets that have pooled under innocent young men and women. Being black is not synonymous with crime. Black Lives Matter.

Douglas-Williams Home receives Tastes & Treasures II

Chauffered by Tom Lorig, Zona Lorig and Norma Jean Coulter traveled  to the Douglas-Williams Home in Douglas, AZ  which is Zona's birthplace. Delivering a box of Tastes & Treasures II to the museum was especially heartfelt. Zona remembers, "I was very happy to read about the Marty-Dess camera collection. Marty and Dess had the photography studio and Marty was a family friend who took our families photos for special occasions - grandparents 50th wedding anniversary, only official family picture of my parents with three kids, and my high school graduation photo." 

Liz Williams Boyd is another League member directly connected to Douglas as her father and grandfather were both Mayors there. I asked Liz if she ever lived in this house/museum? She replied, "I was actually born in Alaska, believe it or not.  The house belonged to my grandparents - we never lived there, but the house is filled with many memories from our time spent there.  We did go see the house once after it was turned into a museum.  It was a very odd experience- Gran’s bedroom was set up as a schoolroom- a little jarring!"

Cindy Hayostek, Douglas historian and local author of many books on Douglas

Details from https://www.douglasazhistory.com/

The Douglas-Williams House is named for the two families that made the house their home for more than 80 years. 

James S. Douglas was the son of Dr. James Douglas, the man for whom the town is named. Dr. Douglas was instrumental in development of Arizona and New Mexico copper mining in the late 1800s and early 1900s. James S. was deeply involved with Phelps Dodge Corp., and worked at copper operations in Arizona and Sonora. 

Ben F. Williams bought the house in 1943. Born in Bacoachi, Son., Williams was a borderlands cattleman, miner and inventor. He served as Douglas Mayor, as did his son, Ben. F. Williams Jr., an attorney. When Ben Sr. died, Ben Jr. sold the house to the State of Arizona. 

​The Douglas-Williams Museum includes period rooms honoring the Douglas and Williams families, spaces with regularly changed displays, research library and specialty areas. These are world-class Marty-Dess camera collection, Douglas smelters, Douglas schools memorabilia, Douglas Fire Dept. and Sonora’s Elías family, including Mexican President Plutarco Elías Calles. The museum is adjacent to Church Square, site of four churches on one block, and Raúl Castro Park, named for the former Arizona Governor who grew up in Douglas.​

Today, this historic House is owned by the Arizona Historical Society. It serves as the official museum of history for Douglas and its surrounding areas. 

Tastes & Treasures delivered to Bryce, AZ

 Keeping history lovers happy . . . Zona and Norma Jean visited Bryce, AZ north of Pima to deliver the Historical League's Tastes & Treasures II to the Ebenezer Bryce Foundation. Founded by his descendants in 2021, the Bryce Foundation began when the 1897 home went on the market and the family decided to rally for its preservation.

“In April 2021, we had heard the home might be up for sale,” said Jim Bryce. According to records, the 714-square-foot home on 2.3 acres sold for $65,000 on Jan. 3, 2022.

The foundation’s board consists of Jim Bryce, Kyle Kempton, Brooks Bryce, Norma Pollock Brown and Leeann Bryce Thygerson — all descendants of Ebenezer Bryce.

Jim Bryce is Ebenezer Bryce’s great-great grandson. He says he spoke to his own grandfather about Ebenezer. “My grandfather said Ebenezer was a kind, gentle man. He’d keep candies in his pockets to give to his grandchildren,” Jim Bryce said. “He was an ordinary, humble, hardworking man who created a powerful legacy.”

From "A love for family: Bryce descendants restoring 1897 house" By Lillian Boyd, Eastern Arizona Courier.

Bisbee Mining and Mineral Museum welcomes Zona Lorig and Norma Jean Coulter

 Rock Star Travelers: Zona Lorig and Norma Jean Coulter drove all over S.E. Arizona blending history and food with Tastes & Treasures II. They delivered the Historical League's cookbook to 10 different museums. Pictured here is Brenda Morales from the Bisbee Mining and Mineral Museum.

Zona commented, "Brenda was thrilled to receive the box of our cookbooks. She clasped one to her chest and said she had sold the last one. Visitors asked for an interesting cookbook and she loved to share our storytelling cookbook!"

Zona Lorig and Norma Jean Coulter deliver Tastes & Treasures II

 The journey to deliver Tastes & Treasures II to Certified Historical Institutions took Norma Jean Coulter and Zona Lorig to Eastern Arizona Museum and Historical Society. The museum was closed when they arrived but a volunteer came to their aid. Zona commented, "He was a wonderful guide who opened the museum and gave us a great tour."

Tastes & Treasures II goes to small museums around the State

 Road trip with Tastes & Treasures II. Zona Lorig and Norma Jean Coulter had a great experience delivering books to small museums around SE Arizona.

Robert Davenport, Zona, Norma Jean and Robert Ramirez, officers of Tombstone Restoration Commission.

Traveling through SE Arizona, Zona Lorig and Norma Jean Coulter made friends as they delivered boxes of Historical League's Tastes & Treasures II to small museums. Pictured here is

Norma Jean, Jason Macoviak, Copper Queen Library Manager for Bisbee Restoration and Historical Society, Zona Lorig