.
Support Groups
Volunteer support organizations are the backbone of American history. No other country in the world has as many non-profit history museums as the United States. The Arizona Historical Society is pleased and proud to have so many dedicated groups and individuals working with us all over the state. We appreciate those who give their time and care.
For many of you, Arizona has become your new home, or at least a place you choose to spend part of your year. We welcome you and encourage you to join one of the groups described below. What better way to learn about our history while lending a helping hand?
| Pathfinders - Tucson |
|
The Arizona Pathfinders, Inc. is an organization of dedicated volunteers whose purpose is to support the Arizona Historical Society, Southern Division. The Pathfinders raise money for special programs and projects. They provide volunteer services for the Library and Archives, Education and Museum Departments, and they assist and host openings of events, receptions and social functions at the Museums of the Southern Division in Tucson. Membership in Pathfinders is available at the Arizona Historical Society, 949 E. 2nd Street, Tucson, AZ 85719 to AHS members for $10.00/person or $15.00/couple. An Associate Membership is available to non AHS members for $15.00/person or $25.00/couple. Members receive a monthly "Pathfinders Press" newsletter.
"Pathfinders" was formed as a non-profit support group in 1977. The name comes from the sobriquet given to General John C. Fremont, who became the 13th Territorial Governor of Arizona. The Sosa-Carrillo-Fremont House, an AHS historic site museum, is associated with Fremont's time spent in Tucson when he was Territorial Governor.
.
|
| Historical League - Tempe |
|
.
The Historical League is an organization of dedicated volunteers who support the Arizona Historical Society's Central Division. League activities include tours, Fall Membership Open House, Children's Holiday Party, Spring Party, Recognition Luncheon and the Historymaker's Gala. Membership in the Historical League is available to AHS members for $25. Members receive the "Old Ned" newsletter every month.
Cookbooks
The League cook book, Tastes & Treasures, A Storytelling Cookbook of Historic Arizona is for sale at the Museum in Papago Park or through the Historical League website, www.HistoricalLeague.org. It is also available at many stores around the state. These stores are listed in the Historical League website also.
Volunteers
Members work in the Museum Gift Store, conduct docent tours, answer phones and assist staff with library and archives, collections and education. These volunteer hours are used to supplement staffing and financial needs of the Arizona Historical Society Museum and are reported to the State Appropriations Committee.
For further information, contact the Historical League, Inc. www.HistoricalLeague.org
or Jeannine Moyle, President 2008-2009 at (480) 585-4872 junkmoyle@aol.com
Or call (480) 929-0292, ext. 154
Monday - Friday, 10 am to 4 pm
.
|
Northern Arizona Pioneers'
Historical Society - Flagstaff |
|
.
In 1905 some Flagstaff citizens got together to form the Pioneers Society of Northern Arizona. Their constitution and by-laws were beautifully hand written in an old fashioned record book and signed by 152 pioneers. Interest apparently faded after a few years, and in 1916 the local paper reported an attempt to “reorganize” the Society.
In 1942 history-minded citizens got together again to locate the original site of the flag staff that gave the town its name. Surviving pioneers disagreed, and a compromise flagpole was placed near the railroad underpass, equidistant from three disputed locations.
In 1953 there was a final reorganization. William H. Switzer, a 1906 charter member, was elected president of the new Northern Arizona Pioneers’ Historical Society. They began collecting documents, photographs, and artifacts. At first the Society used one of the buildings at the Coconino County Fairgrounds, but moved to the former Coconino County Hospital for the Indigent (the Poor Farm) in 1959.
In the mid 1960s negotiations began for the museum to become a chapter of the Arizona [Pioneers] Historical Society. The merger was called off at the last minute, and did not take place in December, 1984.
The Northern Arizona Pioneers’ Historical Society is now a support organization for the Arizona Historical Society-Northern Division with headquarters in the Pioneer Museum. The Board of NAPHS conducts fundraising and helps with the purchase of artifacts that would not otherwise be available.
|
|
| Docent Council - Tucson |
|
The Docent Council is a volunteer organization providing service to the Arizona Historical Society; provides educational support services to the Education Department of the Tucson museum, including guided tours of the museum facility.
Docent Training Program
If you are interested in Arizona history, enjoy talking to people, and want to meet a great group of like-minded folks, consider becoming a docent at the Arizona Historical Society. There are also opportunities for great trips in the Southwest and Mexico.
The Tucson Docent Training Program investigates Arizona History, exhibits, and techniques for communicating with museum visitors. Training classes begin in October and are every Tuesday and Thursday mornings through early December. Class size is limited, so please apply by the first week in October. Additional training is available for those interested in doing outreach presentations.
If interested, contact:
Arizona Historical Society
Docent Coordinator, Education Department
949 E. 2nd Street, Tucson, AZ 85719
(520) 628-5774
esg@azhs.gov
.
|
| Yuma County Historical Society |
|
The Yuma County Historical Society (YCHS) was organized in 1963 as a section of the Yuma Fine Arts Association (YFAA). They shared a building, which was then called the Century House Museum (today the Sanguinetti House Museum). The YFAA was to be responsible for collecting and exhibiting local art and the YCHS for collecting and exhibiting local history. That same year the YCHS became an auxiliary of the Arizona Pioneers Historical Society (now AHS).
In 1968 State funds became available to certified historical societies through the Arizona Historical Society. The Century House was too crowded for both organizations so YCHS and YFAA separated. YCHS remained at the Century House Museum and became a certified historical society with AHS.
In 1971 the Century House Museum became the first branch museum of AHS and in 1972 the buildings were donated to AHS, but the collections remained the property of YCHS. By 1981 the collections were also given to the AHS and the Rio Colorado Chapter of the AHS was formed. The YCHS, though no longer running the museum and library, were still active in the collection and interpretation of local history.
The new by-laws for the organization stated that the purpose and goals of the YCHS shall be to aid and support the programs of the Rio Colorado Chapter of the Arizona Historical Society. How is this accomplished? The YCHS publishes monographs, books, etc. which detail local history. The YCHS helps with fundraisers and special events in order to increase the operating funds for the AHS-Yuma museum and library, and the YCHS operates the Adobe Annex Museum Shop for the AHS-Yuma museum. The proceeds from the museum shop help pay for publications and are distributed to the AHS-Yuma museum to help with operating costs and special projects.
|
|
|
