Arizona: A History of the Grand Canyon State with Jim Turner

McFarland State Historic Park 24 W. Ruggles St, Florence, AZ, United States

This brief history starts with Conquistador Francisco Vasquez de Coronado’s 1540 expedition and covers Catholic missions, mining, Native American conflicts, Mormon immigration, ranching, farming, health seekers, education, tourism, moviemaking, and biographies ranging from Father Eusebio Kino to Sandra Day O’Connor. You can’t cover Arizona history without Wild West legends like Wyatt Earp, stage robbers, and […]

FREE

Specters of the Past –Ghost Towns That Built Arizona with Jay Mark

McFarland State Historic Park 24 W. Ruggles St, Florence, AZ, United States

In addition to an entertaining, visual display of the communities, towns and settlements that contributed to the early growth of the state, this presentation also focuses on respect for these diminishing historic resources. Most of the photographs represent a comprehensive exploration of Arizona ghost towns made by Mr. Mark in the 1960’s and 1970’s. This […]

FREE

Arizona Goes to the Movies: A Filmmaking History with Jim Turner

McFarland State Historic Park 24 W. Ruggles St, Florence, AZ, United States

From Douglas Fairbanks filming in Nogales in 1917 to “How the West Was Won” statewide in 1963, the state of Arizona has always been a photogenic favorite for movie producers. The program looks from “Real to Reel” to see how Hollywood has affected popular views of Western settlement and continues to impact social interactions. The […]

FREE

Miners, Cowboys and Washerwomen: The Worksongs of Arizona with Dr. Jay Cravath

McFarland State Historic Park 24 W. Ruggles St, Florence, AZ, United States

In a narrative and musical portrait of working-class music, Dr. Craváth explores its roots and rhythms in our state. From Hopi basket songs, the Yavapai acorn gathering songs, to the cotton fields of Chandler and the crooked streets of Jerome, songs were companions to the immigrants who explored and built our state. Through performance and […]

FREE

Arizona Goes to the Movies: A Filmmaking History with Jim Turner

McFarland State Historic Park 24 W. Ruggles St, Florence, AZ, United States

From Douglas Fairbanks filming in Nogales in 1917 to “How the West Was Won” statewide in 1963, the state of Arizona has always been a photogenic favorite for movie producers. The program looks from “Real to Reel” to see how Hollywood has affected popular views of Western settlement and continues to impact social interactions. The […]

FREE

Our River Stories: The Gila and the Salt with Zarco Guerrero

McFarland State Historic Park 24 W. Ruggles St, Florence, AZ, United States

Join Zarco for a series of stories that share the vibrant and tragic history of water and the River People, over a 2,000 year period. Beginning with the Toltec trade route that brought agriculture and corn to the Southwest. The history of the O’Odham before and after the expansion west is revealed. We learn about […]

FREE

Saviors and Saints on the Arizona Frontier with Jan Cleere

McFarland State Historic Park 24 W. Ruggles St, Florence, AZ, United States

Health care in early Arizona was hardly reliable and frequently nonexistent. Often, settlers were on their own when tragedy struck with women taking on the responsibility for the well-being of their families. And if women were considered incapable of earning the title “Doctor,” they could certainly save souls. Meet a handful of women who influenced […]

FREE

The Evolution of an Icon–The History of Arizona Highways Magazine with Win Holden

McFarland State Historic Park 24 W. Ruggles St, Florence, AZ, United States

The first issue of Arizona Highways magazine was published in April, 1925. In this presentation, former publisher Win Holden will share the fascinating story of how a brochure produced by the Arizona Highway Department evolved into one of the most respected and revered publications in the world. With annual economic impact of over $65 million, […]

FREE

Seeing the Desert with Greg McNamee

McFarland State Historic Park 24 W. Ruggles St, Florence, AZ, United States

Most Arizonans are not originally from Arizona, and most come from places that are far greener and milder of climate than our desert. For many of us, it takes a shift of eye and of attitude to appreciate this hot, dry place—but once it gets into one’s soul, there’s nowhere like it. This talk explains […]

Archaeology’s Deep Time Perspective on Environment and Sustainability with Allen Dart

McFarland State Historic Park 24 W. Ruggles St, Florence, AZ, United States

The deep time perspective that archaeology, geology, and related disciplines provide about natural hazards, environmental change, and societal development is often ignored when societies today make decisions affecting social sustainability and human safety. Studies of ancient peoples and natural events can help modern society deal with problems of environmental and social change, overpopulation, and sustainability. […]

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