A Brief History Of Pioneer Arizona Living History Museum

Plans for a living history museum first formulated in 1956 when an ambitious group of visionaries met at a restaurant and began to lament the loss of Arizona's history. Newspapers carried stories of historical buildings being bulldozed away in the face of progress. The pioneer homes of the early Arizona settlers were deserted and falling into ruin. From that first informal meeting grew the organization that came to be known as the Pioneer Arizona Foundation, and their mission was to save the history of Arizona from vandalism and destruction.

In only two short years, the Pioneer Arizona Foundation was granted tax-exempt status by the Internal Revenue Service. With plans for a museum patterned after eastern living history exhibits such as Colonial Williamsburg, Pioneer Arizona was recognized as a "self-sustaining, nonprofit, historical and educational American Heritage Project."

The original plans called for an exhibition of life in Territorial Arizona, focusing primarily on a 20-year period from the 1870's through the 1890's. A living monument to the faith, foresight, and fortitude of Arizona's Pioneers.

The first big step toward realizing the dream was taken in 1962 when Mr. and Mrs. Robert Lockett donated a state land lease to the museum. The Locketts were members of a sheep ranching family that had been established in northern Arizona since the early 1880's.

Plans were expanded to represent the history of Arizona in all its diversity, from the time of the Spanish Conquistadores to the achievement of Statehood in 1912.

Construction of Pioneer Arizona Living History Museum began in September, 1963. Zoning was approved in 1964, and an exit off the freeway was approved in July of 1965.

Also in 1965, the museum was notified that the National and School Awards Jury had selected Pioneer Arizona as the recipient of the Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge Honor Certificate Award in “community programs.” giving the museum national recognition for preserving American heritage and outstanding accomplishment in achieving better understanding of the American way of life.

Many notable local citizens were involved in the planning and support of Pioneer Arizona, served on the Board of Directors, or were members of the Arizona Heritage Council (an advisory group). Among them were Paul Fannin, the Governor of Arizona. in the early 1960's, United States Senators Barry Goldwater and Carl Hayden, Secretary of State Wesley Bolin, and George Babbitt. Jr.

Among the many civic groups and organizations that donated to the construction of Pioneer Arizona was the U. S. Marine Corps, which contributed 7,500 hours of labor to Pioneer Arizona- building nature trails, installing erosion controls, grading parking areas, and building a bridge and access roads to the overnight youth camping area.

The National Audubon Society provided plans for a nature center, and the first National Audubon Trail was constructed at the museum. The Arizona National Guard moved historical buildings from northern Arizona; the Seabees reservists delivered donated train tracks and mine ore cars. The Washington Woman's Club and the Phoenix Woman's Club provided fund-raising for the refurbishing of the Northern Home, the School, and the Teacherage. The Neighborhood Youth Corps assembled buildings using historically accurate construction techniques- authentic even down to the tools. Troubled youths from the San Pablo Home were employed at Pioneer, Arizona, for four years. Many exhibits were sponsored by business establishments.

In 1968, two groups formed for the support and assistance of Pioneer Arizona: Friends of the Museum, a volunteer group, and the Arizona Heritage League, a women's organization.

While separate exhibits and buildings, such as the school and the church, enjoyed dedication celebrations as they were completed, the Official Grand Opening of Pioneer Arizona Living History Museum finally was celebrated on Saturday. February 15. 1969. Newspaper clippings list Senator Barry Goldwater and Secretary of State Wesley Bohn among the attendees. The Camp Verde Cavalry and the Fort Huachuca Army Band provided entertainment.

Sadly, only two of the eight founding members of the Pioneer Arizona Foundation lived to attend the Grand Opening and see their dream, first conceived thirteen years earlier, realized.JoAnn Schmitt Graham; a journalist, and Robert R. Weaver, a Phoenix attorney, attended the dedication.

What exists now as Pioneer Arizona Living History is Phase I of the dream of the founders. Someday, through Faith. Foresight, and Fortitude, the museum will fulfill their vision.