Thanks to 2023 Historymaker Angel Delgadillo for saving Arizona's Iconic Route 66

Angel Delgadillo has been honored as 2023 Arizona Historymaker. He is “The Father of the Mother Road” – advocate for the preservation of Historic U.S. Route 66 and we are so grateful for his dedication to saving Route 66.

This is an interesting article talking about Route 66 across the country.

 HISTORY | MAY 4, 2023 2:44 PM

Route 66 Turns 100 in 2026. What’s in Store for the Iconic Highway?

Some states have renovations in the works

 https://www.insidehook.com/daily_brief/history/route-66-upgrades-turning-100

As Zona Lorig Historymakers Legacy Chair comments, "Hurray for Illinois. Maybe they’ll be a beacon for the other Route 66 states!"

National History Day AZ presentation by Dr. Kristen Rex at May meeting

With Dr. Kristen Rex and her staff plus the experience of Stacey Trepanier, the National History Day AZ is running very smoothly. How exciting to learn about the program from Dr. Rex's talk at our May meeting. Anne Lupica explained the League's support in NHDAZ, both with volunteering, judging, funding. The QR codes next to the students pictures are a direct link to their exhibits.

Many League members are retired teachers, appreciating the value of the program.

Thanks to Josephine Pete for photos.

May 1 Historical League meeting presentation

Monday means meetings at the museum since it is closed and we have the entire place. With presentations in the Steele Auditorium, lunch in the lobby and time to socialize, we enjoy the first Monday of every month.

We learned about the Historymakers Legacy Project presented by Zona Lorig; Website by Cathy Shumard; Social Media by Ruth McLeod at the May 1 meeting. Audience asked questions. Dr. Kristen Rex gave a wonderful report on NHD AZ. Treasurer Nina Filippi reported of the funds we are giving to 56 NHD AZ students for their trip to National Competition in Wash. D.C. Guest of Margaret Baker from Litchfield Historical Society was Director Lisa Hegarty. Happy Cinco de Mayo everyone!

Thanks to Dr. Josephine Pete for photos.

Old Adobe Mission, Scottsdale for May Tour

 The Old Adobe Mission Tour sold out quickly. Thanks to organizer Lynn Wood with Katie Tovar taking pictures.

The Mission originated as Our Lady of Perpetual Help (OLPH) Catholic Church and built by hand by the Mexicans who settled in Scottsdale in the late 1910s. It was designed by Robert T. Evans in a Spanish Colonial Revival architectural style similar to others he had seen in Sonora and New Mexico.

More than 14,000 adobe bricks were used for the construction. They were each made from a blend of native clay, silt, sand, straw, dung, and water. They weighed 50 pounds and were carried and placed by hand.

1931: The Mexican community begins to collect donations to build a new church

1932: The church is named Our Lady of Perpetual Help (OLPH) Mission

1933: The church is completed

1940s: The wooden box altar used by visiting priests is replaced with an altar from All Saints Church in Tucson

1949: The church becomes a parish on November 25

1950s: Guadalupe and Miguel Dominguez donate a hand-carved statue of Our Lady of Perpetual Help

1952: Rev. Eugene Maguire is named the second pastor

1953: The community celebrates the Miracle of the Roses pageant with a parade and a play recreating the apparition of the Virgin of Guadalupe to Juan Diego in Mexico on December 13, 1531. Over 7,000 people, including governors and ambassadors, attended the annual festivities

1956: To accommodate a growing parish, a larger church and school are opened at 2nd Street and Miller Road

1957: The original church is used by various organizations, including Knights of Columbus, Boy Scouts, and catechism classes

1967: The last Miracle of the Roses is held by the Mexican community

1977: The original church is leased to the Scottsdale Symphony Orchestra

2023 Historymaker Denise Resnik and First Place AZ

 From First Place AZ April Newsletter:

Historical League’s Arizona Historymakers welcomed Denise into the ranks of this illustrious group of state leaders as one of 10 awardees for 2023—its 43rd year. Historymakers are individuals who have distinguished themselves with noted achievements in such areas as the arts, athletics, communications, community service, education and entertainment—while maintaining their ties to Arizona. Visit the History League’s website for a fascinating, varied list of current and past honorees.

Historymaker Videos now on AHS YouTube

 Exciting to see Historymaker videos now on AHS YouTube https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=arizona+historical+society.

Great way to share the stories of Arizonans who have contributed so much to the state. Website Chair Cathy Shumard has been working with AHS Marianna Touloumes to make this happen. 69 videos so far. All these videos are linked to www.HistoricalLeague.org/Historymakers

More videos on Arizona Historical League YouTube.

Dr. Morrison Warren 1997 Historymaker on Valley 101 Podcast

When Kaely Monahan of Valley 101/AZ Central needed research to do a podcast of 1997 Historymaker Dr. Morrison Warren, she reached out to the Historical League. Cathy Shumard, our website chair, provided her with photos, video, oral history and people to contact. Dr. Warren's, son Kevin Warren (Chicago Bears President and CEO) joined Kaely to create this insight into early Phoenix City Council and growing up with Dr. Warren as a role model.

Learning about all the amazing things that Arizona Historymakers have done is part of the excitement of the Historymakers Program. 

Valley 101: This week, we’re looking back at Morrison Warren, the first Black man to ever sit on the Phoenix City Council: a man shaped by World War II, sports and committed to education.

https://open.spotify.com/episode/04vzy9fGwQ7jCVtLE46Hz6

After listening to the podcast, Cathy Shumard wrote Kaely commenting, "You are a master podcaster! I loved the way you wove together the voices of father and son with your own interview questions and the background music. 
I never met Kevin and Morrison Warren, but now I know their voices, thanks to you. The bridge building messages are so powerful!"  

Special thanks to the Arizona Historical Society for providing the interview with Dr. Morrison Warren. The video is directed and written by Chris Wooley. The director of photography is Wayne Dickmann. Pat McMahon narrated. It was produced by the Historical League and made possible by a financial grant from Dr. Edward Diethrich.