Bennie Gonzales 1997 Arizona Historymaker and his architecture

Saturday, January 3, 2026: Learn about Bennie Gonzales and his architecture/ legacy! at SunnySlope Historical Society. His son Barnie Gonzales will speak.

Also listen to Bennie Gonzales tell his story at https://historicalleague.org/.../bennie-montague-gonzales/ From his Oral History Interview when he was honored as 1997 Arizona Historymaker by the Historical League.

The Acacia Branch library sits today much as it did when it opened in January 1969 – with a modest slump cement block exterior, resembling burnt adobe, that contains within its walls an airy feeling and a multitude of knowledge and resources.

2026 Wishes. What are yours?

 What is your wish for 2026? Alberto Rios, Arizona Historymaker 2005, and Arizona's first Poet Laureate, eloquently states his in this Arizona Republic article.

Listen to him speak about his life at https://historicalleague.org/projects/alberto-rios/

Merry Christmas from The Historical League!

 Merry Christmas from The Historical League!

Sharon Harper, 2025 AZ Historymaker, working on new development at former Fiesta Mall site

 Arizona Historymaker 2025, Sharon Harper is working on a new development at the former Fiesta Mall site. Axios reports: "first of its kind" women's health and sports campus will "anchor" the overall project, including multifamily housing, offices, restaurants, retail and sports facilities.

It will incorporate a comprehensive network of health, wellness and athletic performance facilities focused on girls and women, Mayo said.

Sharon has been honored as a 2025 AZ Historymaker: She co-founded and serves as chairman and CEO of Plaza Companies, specializing in healthcare/bioscience, senior housing, hospitality and transformational re- development projects such as SkySong, Park Central, and Creighton University Health Sciences Campus, Phoenix. She serves as Trustee to the Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust, ASU, Creighton University, TGen and McCain Institute and chaired Prop 123 and Phoenix GOBOND Initiatives (collectively $5.5B impact to community).

Where we were successful, we want our communities to be successful. – Sharon Harper

NHDAZ student Dorothy Zhou Christmas ornament wins

A moment worth celebrating! 🎄✨ NHDAZ student Dorothy Zhou will have an ornament she designed displayed on the National Christmas Tree in Washington, D.C.
Be sure to watch the video to see Dorothy talk about her ornament during her interview on a local Fox News station 🎥

Dorothy received national recognition in 2024 for her patriotic artwork as a winner of the America’s Field Trip contest – an outstanding accomplishment we are so proud of.

Congratulations, Dorothy! Wishing everyone a happy holiday season and a joyful New Year! 

Another ornament honors Route 66

2024 Patriotic artwork winner from America's Field Trip contest

qr code for video of interview on facebook

Wink Crigler interviewed on Cowgirl Beyond

 Wink Crigler, 2017 Arizona Historymaker, elevates the conversation with Cowgirl Beyond. 

Her oral history is at https://historicalleague.org/projects/wink-crigler/

Historic photos and stories

 Thanks to Arizona Historical Society for giving us great historic photos and stories.