Glendale hosts Catlin Court Historic Home Tour Nov. 8

[Source: KKAT TV] -- Have you driven through the Catlin Court Historic District and wondered what the beautiful bungalow homes looked like inside? Now is your chance to find out! Homeowners will open their doors for the Catlin Court Historic Home Tour on Saturday, Nov. 8, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. This is only the second time Catlin Court homes have been opened to the public. The tour will feature eleven historic homes in the beautiful historic neighborhood.

History buffs will delight in hearing stories of the neighborhood’s rich and fascinating past, which dates back to 1915. Co-founded by Otto R. Hansen, the neighborhood was named “Catlin Court” for his wife’s maiden name, and was one of Glendale’s earliest residential developments. Additional activities planned during the tour hearken back to Glendale’s earlier days, such as free horse-drawn carriage rides and a vintage car show.

Tickets are $10 in advance or $12 the day of the event. Tickets are available for purchase at Glendale’s Visitor Center, 5800 W. Glenn Dr., Suite 140, or online at the Catlin Court Website. The Visitor Center will be open that day, welcoming visitors and residents to discover many shopping and dining options in downtown Glendale before or after the tour. For more information, call 623-930-4500.

Four individuals receive coveted Arizona Architect Medals

[Source: Jan Buchholz, Phoenix Business Journal] -- Architects from across Arizona celebrated the 50th anniversary of the state chapter of the American Institute of Architects at the Celebrate Architecture gala Sept. 27. The largest crowd in the group’s history, more than 500, turned out for the event at the Phoenix Arts Museum. “Since this was the 50th anniversary, we decided not to notify the winners ahead of time,” said Tina Litteral, executive vice president of AIA Arizona. “Since (no one) knew who was going to win, I think they were a little nervous.” AIA introduced a new tradition by commissioning artists Gary Beals and Mayme Kratz to create works of art to represent the awards. [Note: To read the full article, click here.]

Catlin Court historic home tour Nov. 8

Saturday November 8th is the 2008 Catlin Court historic home tour in Glendale, Arizona. From Myrtle to Orangewood, 59th Avenue to 57th Avenue. Tour 10 homes from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. There will be carriage rides and vintage cars. Tickets are $10 each and may be purchased online at the Catlin Court homepage.

Project gathers Scottsdale photos of past for exhibit

[Source: Julie Janovsky, Tribune] -- JoAnn Handley remembers a time when the area now known as Scottsdale Fashion Square was nothing more than dirt roads and rodeo shows. "I could not have imagined 50 years ago Scottsdale could look like this," said Handley, 77, a lifelong resident and manager of the Scottsdale Historical Museum. A new exhibit being planned for this spring at Scottsdale's Civic Center Library will soon give visitors and locals alike a chance to take a deeper glimpse into the city's past. The proposed exhibit will be one of the end results of a new historical archiving project sponsored by the Scottsdale Public Library system that will entail digitizing vintage photos from the collections of the Scottsdale Historical Museum, the Scottsdale Jaycees and the Scottsdale Charros. [Note: To read the full article, click here.]

Glendale receives accolades for parks programs, people, facilities

[Source: Yourwestvalley.com] -- Glendale's programs, people and facilities received awards at the annual Arizona Parks and Recreation Association awards banquet Aug. 27. Two programs, one facility and two people involved with the Glendale Parks and Recreation Department were awarded. The 2008 Community/Neighborhood Special Event Award for Populations Over 100,000 went to GlendOberfest (pictured), the city's annual fall festival. GlendOberfest on Oct. 31, 2007, at Sahuaro Ranch Park Historic Area, encouraged residents to journey back in time to the late 1800s to an atmosphere of Old Towne Glendale with dirt roads, dark and dense citrus groves and old farm houses backlit by the moon and filled with scary shadows moving across the landscape.

[Note: To read the full article, click here. Photo source: Mother Nature's Farm.]

Advancing Sustainability Conference in Phoenix, September 5-6

[Source: Green Summit] -- The Advancing Sustainability Conference is the prime educational component of the GreenSummit. This conference covers a variety of topics relating to how the concept of "going green" impacts our region's various industries, the communities we live in, and the natural environment around us. Industry experts, Arizona State University, and our Summit Alliance partners help provide guidance and support to maximize the learning opportunities of this unique and powerful event.

Educational content caters to both business professionals and the general public. The Advancing Sustainability Conference has something for everyone attending GreenSummit. Most of the general level sessions within each conference track are free for all attendees. Beyond the introductory level session, the track becomes more oriented towards professionals wishing to have a deeper understanding of the content. For more information and to register for the conference, click here.

Pecos Conference in Flagstaff August 7-10

The purpose of the Pecos Conference, as Alfred Vincent Kidder put it in summing up the first such gathering, is to "...bring about contact between workers in the Southwest field to discuss fundamental problems of Southwestern prehistory; and to formulate problems of Southwest prehistory; to pool knowledge of facts and techniques, and to lay a foundation for a unified system of nomenclature." Deliberately informal, the Pecos Conference affords Southwestern archaeologists a superlative opportunity to talk with one another, both by presenting field reports and by casual discussions. It is a chance to see old friends, meet new ones, pick up fresh information, organize future conferences, and have a great time. In recent years, Native Americans, avocational archaeologists, the general public and media organizations have come to play an increasingly important role, serving as participants and as audience, to celebrate archaeological research and to mark cultural continuity. For more information on the Pecos Conference, click here.

Sept. 9 course in Phoenix: "Green strategies for historic buildings"

[Source: Carol Griffith, Arizona State Parks] -- The destruction of an existing building and the procurement and transport of materials to build a new building is less energy efficient (uses more energy and resources) than making an existing building more energy efficient. The State Historic Preservation Office is partnering with the National Preservation Institute to have a course taught in Phoenix on “Green Strategies for Historic Buildings,” September 9, 2008. AIA credits will apply. For more information, click here.

Sedona's Homolovi Ruins State Park celebrates Suvoyuki Day

[Source: Ellen Bilbrey, Gateway to Sedona] -- "Suvoyuki" translated in the Hopi language means to accomplish work through at "joint effort." "Suvoyuki Day" is an open house day at Homolovi Ruins State Park that celebrates the partners who have helped to protect and save Homolovi area archaeological and cultural sites from destruction. The event begins on Friday, July 11, at 7 p.m., with a talk about the Hopi culture.

On Saturday, July 12, the day begins at 6 a.m., with a traditional Hopi morning run (4 and 6.5 miles) with all participants invited. Following the run, the Hopi corn roasting pit will be opened and all will get a taste of freshly roasted sweet corn. Throughout the day, there will be Hopi artist demonstrations, traditional food demonstrations and lectures. Archaeologists will also be there to interpret the sites. Parking will be available on the northeast corner of Interstate 40 and State Route 87. Shuttle service will then be available from there to the park. [Note: To read the full article, click here.]

Arizonans celebrate the state's recent past

[Source: Arin Greenwood] -- On Apr. 5 and 6, 2008, hundreds of people converged in Phoenix to tour a neighborhood of midcentury modern houses, and to go to seminars on the history and importance of midcentury architecture. It was the fourth annual Modern Phoenix house tour and expo–and the biggest group of participants yet. But as more and more people discover the beauty in ranch house tracts, historic preservationists worry that those tracts are disappearing.

One summer in a concrete hut in Arcosanti, an experimental architecture-focused eco-community in the Arizona desert, Alison King and her high school sweetheart–now husband, Matthew King–rediscovered their home state. Alison had grown up in Scottsdale, and Matthew was "practically native," Alison says, having moved to Arizona when he was four. But in 1999, the two moved together from Arizona to New York City for college; this turned into 10 years in the city of skyscrapers. Then they spent the summer living in Arcosanti and "fell in love with the desert again," King says. Not incidentally, they also decided they wanted to get married. "We figured out that if we could live in a concrete cube down by the river with no air conditioning for a summer without killing each other, we could do just about anything together."

[Note: To read the full article, click here. Photo source: Alison King, ModernPhoenix.net. Pictured: The Ralph Haver designed Kaffer House; shown is its recent addition.]

Historic Preservation update for City of Glendale

• The Glendale Historic Preservation Commission was presented a proclamation from Mayor Scruggs at their April meeting declaring May 2008 as National Historic Preservation month in Glendale.



• The Commission is hosting the fifth annual historic preservation tour of Glendale on May 17, 2008. There is a full bus of 35 people taking the tour.



• On May 22, 2008 the Commission will award the 2008 Ruth Byrne Historic preservation Award to John Akers.



• The Preservation Commission is making and installing 27 historic preservation banners throughout historic downtown Glendale.



• This past Sunday at 7:00 PM a new 30 minute production called "Glendale's Hidden Treasures" was aired on Channel 11. It is a terrific review of many of Glendale's lesser known historic resources. It will be shown on a regularly basis on Channel 11.



• 18 large cast bronze interpretative plaques will be installed at various historic resources in addition to 28 National register Plaques for historic resources already registered on the National register. There are already eight interpretative plaques installed.

Sedona Historic Preservation Commission hosts tours of historic places in Sedona in May

[Source: Sedona.biz] -- Sedona will join thousands of people around the country as part of a nationwide celebration of National Preservation Month in May 2008. “This Place Matters" is the theme of this year’s celebration, which is sponsored by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Since the National Trust created Preservation Week in 1971 to spotlight grassroots preservation efforts in America, it has grown into an annual month-long celebration observed by small towns and big cities. The purpose is to celebrate the diverse and irreplaceable heritage of our country’s cities and states and enable more Americans to become involved in the growing preservation movement.

An event in honor of National Historic Preservation Month for Sedona is being planned by the Sedona Historic Preservation Commission (HPC). Friday, May 16th the Commission will co-host an open house at the historic Hart Store, now Hummingbird House on Brewer Road from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. The open house will celebrate the Hart Store being added to the National Register of Historic Places. More details will be forthcoming about this free street party intended for the entire community. Pioneer descendants and Hart relatives are planning to attend.

[Note: To read the full article, click here. Photo: Janeen Trevillyan (center holding paper), Historic Preservation Commission Chairperson, leads a recent tour in Uptown, Sedona.]

Historic Preservation Week activities in Willcox May 10

[Source: Ainslee Wittig, Arizona Range News] -- Historic Preservation Week activities will be held on Saturday, May 10, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The 2008 Wheels of Progress will be honored from noon to 2 p.m. at Big Tex Restaurant, located at 130 E. Maley, in Willcox, Ariz. Guest speakers are Gus and Marsha Arzberger, Arizona State Senators. Guest author will be William Kalt, a railroad historian, at 10 a.m. at the Willcox Historic Depot.

The grandson of a Tucson SP accountant, William Kalt, grew up in a proud pioneer Arizona family. History lessons began early for the career public educator, as relatives shared tales of the rough and tumble days of their youth. His story, "Epes Randolph: Railroad Man of the Southwest," won the society's James F. Elliot II award for the best article by a non-professional historian during 2006. Kalt captured oral histories of southern Arizona railroad men and women and did archival research across the southwest to complete his book Tucson Was a Railroad Town. Kalt will also sign books.

For more information contact the Sulphur Springs Valley Historical Society or Chiricahua Regional Museum and Research Center at 520-384-3971. [Note: To read the full article, click here.]

"Comprehensive resource stewardship" conference in Tucson

[Source: Brian Kenny, National Park Service Southern Arizona Office] -- The National Park Service (NPS) and affiliated organizations are sponsoring a "Comprehensive Resource Stewardship" conference scheduled for May 20-23, 2008 at the Marriott Starr Pass Resort in Tucson, Arizona. We have identified a need to recruit competent volunteers to attend the conference to provide assistance monitoring rooms and concurrent sessions and to help with minor logistical issues that help make a conference run smoothly. Volunteers, who provide support for two concurrent sessions or for a day's service, get to attend the conference for free. Individuals in the southern Arizona area who wish to volunteer to assist at the conference should contact Brian Kenny at (602)794-3819, or via email at brian_kenny@nps.gov.

Official call for papers

The conference provides an opportunity for NPS park and regional office resource managers and specialists to interact with one another and share resource highlights, concerns, problems and solutions by presenting and discussing cultural, natural and integrated resource management issues facing parks in this region. Park staff (along with others who have conducted work on behalf of parks) are invited to submit proposals for panel/discussion sessions, and presentations on key findings or solutions to resource management challenges through talks or posters. The Program Committee encourages presentations on interdisciplinary work that combines natural and cultural resource efforts, as well as research or projects conducted specifically for those two types of resources. Suggested topics include cultural and/or natural resource work pertaining to:

• Monitoring and managing effects of climate change in parks • Fire management and the human interface • Best practices to manage research in parks • How concessioners contribute to cultural and natural resource management • "Greening" the parks and sustainability efforts by parks and partners • Social and cultural aspects of wildlife management and appreciation • "Rodent in Ruins" and other Integrated Pest Management issues • Wilderness management in the new millennia • Applying results of research and monitoring to park issues

This list is not intended to be limiting – we invite other submissions on timely topics. Panels/Discussion Sessions are encouraged to promote interaction between subject matter experts, resource managers, and the audience. Panel should have no more than 4 presenters with 15 minutes per presentation, followed by 30 minutes for discussion facilitated by the panel/discussion leader. If you propose a panel/discussion, please specify potential and committed panelists, and the discussion leader/group facilitator (who may be one of the panelists). Key Findings Presentations will be limited to 15 minutes per person, plus 5 minutes for questions.

Since this conference encourages interaction between natural and cultural resource managers or specialists, rather than segmented subject matter experts in different concurrent sessions, proponents should clearly indicate how their presentation would be of interest to a broad audience of park staff and partners. Poster Sessions are an opportunity to visually represent timely research, inventory and monitoring, or management activity. Presenters must attend their poster during a scheduled poster session and be available to discuss their work with attendees. No other sessions will be held concurrent with the poster session, although posters will be viewable at other times during the conference. Each poster should be designed for placement on wall board no larger than 4' by 3'. The conference also allows an opportunity to conduct discipline-specific affinity meetings the day before the conference (May 19) and perhaps on Friday (May 23). Additional information on these meetings will be provided as they are finalized.

National Register workshop in Chandler April 24th

There will be a National Register workshop before the Arizona History Conference on April 24, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the San Marcos Resort & Conference Center. One San Marcos Place, Chandler, AZ 85225. Sponsored by Arizona Historical Research and Ryden Architects, this workshop will focus on how to nominate a property to the National Register of Historic Places. Using a case study, professionals from the public and private sectors will disseminate information on: researching a historic property and creating a context; describing architectural styles and features; selecting criteria for eligibility, identifying significance, and evaluating integrity; the local, regional, and national designation process, working with consultants, and preservation resources.

The workshop leaders are: Vince Murray, historian, Arizona Historical Research; Don Ryden, architect, Ryden Architects; and Kathryn Leonard, National Register coordinator, Arizona State Historic Preservation Office. Registration fee: $50.00 (meal not included). Registration deadline: April 14. Make checks payable and mail to: Arizona Historical Research, 5025 N. Central Ave., Suite 575, Phoenix, AZ 85012. For more information, contact Vince Murray at 480-829-0267 or vince@azhistory.net.

Sedona visitors enjoy archaeology along the Colorado River exhibit

[Source: Gateway to Sedona] -- A new exhibit by Flagstaff adventure photographer Dawn Kish, Grand Archaeology: New Excavations along the Colorado River, will be featured during Archaeology Awareness Month, at the Museum of Northern Arizona in Flagstaff. The exhibit, which will run through July 13, documents recent archaeological excavation and research in Grand Canyon National Park, conducted by MNA in partnership with GCNP. The exhibit is made possible through the generous support of the Grand Canyon Association. "The Grand Canyon archaeological project between the Grand Canyon National Park and MNA is the first major archaeological project within Grand Canyon National Park in a generation and provides a unique opportunity to study sites along the Colorado River corridor. It is hoped that this project will provide new information about the lifeways of the people who lived in the Grand Canyon in the past," said MNA Director Robert Breunig.

The exhibit's featured excavation is part of a project focused on nine archaeological sites. The project began in 2005 and will continue through 2011, with excavations being led by MNA Archaeologist and Principal Investigator Ted Neff and Grand Canyon National Park River Corridor Archaeologist Lisa Leap. In the mid-1980s, Grand Canyon National Park archaeologists noted an increase of erosion at a number of sites along the Colorado River due to natural deterioration, visitor impact, and overall sediment depletion caused by the operation of Glen Canyon Dam. These excavation and research efforts will, therefore, collect valuable information about past life ways in Grand Canyon before it is lost forever.

[Note: To read the full article, click here. Photo source: Dawn Kish.]

A message from the President

March is an exciting month for the Arizona Preservation Foundation. Not only has the call for nominations for the Governor’s Preservation Honor Awards been announced, but registration for our June 12th – 14th Conference in Rio Rico is now open. This year's conference, Preservation on the Line, is being held at the Esplendor Resort, just 40 miles south of Tucson. The goal of the Conference is to bring together preservationists from around the state and Southwest to exchange ideas and success stories, share perspectives and solutions to preservation issues, and foster greater cooperation among the diverse preservation community. Click here to learn more about the Conference and to register. For information on this year’s Keynote Speaker, James Howard Kunstler, click here. To download a nomination form for the Governor’s Honor Awards, click here.

Also in March, the Arizona Preservation Foundation, Arizona State Historic Preservation Office, City of Phoenix, and Greater Phoenix Convention & Visitors Bureau submitted a bid to host the National Trust for Historic Preservation's 2012 National Preservation Conference in Phoenix. Thanks so much to the individuals and organizations listed below for providing letters of support. Sally Forrest, Director of National Accounts at the Convention & Visitors Bureau, stated she has not worked on a national conference before with such passionate supporters!

Advocates for Latin@ Arts & Culture, Arizona Archaeological Council, Arizona Commission on the Arts, Arizona Historical Society, Arizona Humanities Council, Arizona Lottery, Arizona Preservation Foundation, Arizona State Historic Preservation Office, ASU College of Public Programs, Capitol Mall Association, City of Chandler Office of Tourism, City of Glendale, City of Mesa Historic Preservation Office, City of Phoenix Historic Preservation Office, Downtown Phoenix Partnership, Downtown Phoenix Public Market, Downtown Voices Coalition, Encanto Citizens Association, F.Q. Story Neighborhood, Highroads Magazine (AAA), Local First Arizona, Neighborhood Coalition of Greater Phoenix, Phoenix Community Alliance, Phoenix Historic Districts Coalition, Phoenix Magazine, Roosevelt Action Alliance, Salt River Project, The Honorable Phil Gordon, Mayor, City of Phoenix, and The Honorable Terry Goddard, Attorney General, State of Arizona. (29 total to date)

Between now and our state's Centennial year, we're sure you'll agree that the preservation ethic in our Capital City and statewide will be even stronger, and that many more historic preservation stories can and will be told to the 2,500-plus preservation advocates who will descend on the Valley of the Sun in the fall of 2012 from all across the country. While we have you "on the line," here are a couple other tidbits for you:

* April 4, 2008 is the deadline to submit nominations for the Governor's Heritage Preservation Honor Awards. Complete details at: http://www.azpreservation.org/c_awards.php

* April 5-6, 2008 is the 4th Annual Modern Phoenix Expo and Home Tour, "Progress + Preservation," at the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art (Expo) and Charles and Arthur Schreiber's Village Grove in Scottsdale (tour). Complete details at: email with your name, organization, and day phone. Cost is $50 per person.

* October 21-25, 2008 is this year's National Preservation Conference, "Preservation in Progress, in Tulsa, OK. Complete details at: http://www.preservationnation.org/resources/training/npc/

Be sure to register for the APF Conference, Preservation on the Line, before April 15th to receive the discounted registration rate. Hope to see you there!

Gregory C. Michael
President

Naco visionaries banking on community’s rich history

[Source: Ted Morris, Herald/Review] -- This tiny border community is full of possibilities when it comes to tourism and other recreational attractions. Mexican Revolution. Buffalo Soldiers. Civilian Conservation Corps. Mammoth kill site. Port of entry. RVs. Golf. “It’s got it all,” said Rebecca Orozco, the director of Cochise College’s Center for Lifelong Learning. Orozco is one of the organizers of this coming Saturday’s planning charrette for the Naco community. “Anyone interested in Naco’s future” is invited to attend. Billed as a “ ‘roll-up-the-sleeves’ participatory design process,” the charrette will run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Naco Elementary School, 1911 W. Valenzuela St.

“Charrette,” a French word for “cart” or “chariot,” is a term that was used by architecture students in Paris in the 19th century who worked intensely, up to the last minute, even as they rode in carts to their design presentations. In the summer of 2006, Bisbee underwent a charrette that was considered by many to be successful in providing a sailing chart for that city. The Naco Planning Charrette will coincide with the second day of another historic occasion for the community — the Turquoise Valley Golf Course’s celebration of its century of existence. Several things are happening lately with Naco, and the charrette will be an opportunity to discuss these developments. [Note: To read the full article, click here.]

Sharlot Hall portrayer plans appearance in Sun City West

[Arizona Central] -- Jody Drake, a Prescott native, has won many awards over the past 10 years for her portrayal of Sharlot Hall. The Sun Cities Area Historical Society is pleased to bring her to Sun City West through a grant from the Arizona Humanities Council. Drake will perform at 1p.m. Friday March 28th at Heritage Traditions, 19303 New Traditions Way, Sun City West. The public is invited to this free presentation.

Sharlot Hall was an unusual woman of the frontier. Her family moved to Arizona when she was 12, and she grew up on an isolated ranch. She had a knack for poetry and a keen interest in collecting stories of other pioneers. Her interest in history led to her being appointed territory historian in 1909. In 1927, Hall moved her extensive collection of artifacts and documents into the Old Governor's Mansion and opened it as a museum. After her death in 1942, a historical society continued to build the museum complex in Prescott that bears her name.

Drake has performed as Sharlot Hall for Gov. Janet Napolitano, former Gov. Jane Hull and retired U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, among others. She has been nominated for the Governor's Art Award six times, and is honored to be one of 10 Arizona Culture Keeper award winners for 2007. For more information, call the historical society at 623-974-2568 or 623-975-1815.

May 6th lecture in Phoenix: "The role of historic preservation in sustainable development”

Donovan Rypkema, Principal of Place Economics and nationally-renowned speaker and consultant on historic preservation issues, will address “The Role of Historic Preservation in Sustainable Development” at a luncheon on May 6, 2008 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Phoenix's historic Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa. This kick-off event to National Historic Preservation Month in Arizona is hosted by the Capitol Mall Association, City of Phoenix, Arizona Department of Commerce, Arizona State Historic Preservation Office, and Arizona Preservation Foundation. All advocates for Arizona's heritage and sustainability are encouraged to attend and showcase, on available display tables, your efforts to foster a more sustainable Arizona. To RSVP or for more information, contact Kay Jerin by email or phone at 602-340-0745. Please include your name, organization, and day phone. Cost is $50 per person.