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. […]

“Dark Skies over Arizona” with Kevin Schindler

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

PRESENTATION DESCRIPTION There’s nothing like standing under a dark, star-spangled night sky to quiet the mind and reduce stress, share an experience of awe with family and friends, and to inspire creative thoughts. Yet such dark skies are a disappearing resource, with only 20% of the world living in a place where the center of […]

FREE

“The History and Mystery of the Gila River” with Christine Reid

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

PRESENTATION DESCRIPTION Many people know about Arizona’s most famous river, the Colorado, but the often-forgotten Gila River has a rich and interesting history too. Reid will take the audience on a journey which begins in central New Mexico and joins the Gila River as it makes an historical journey through eastern and most of southern […]

FREE

“The Vanishing Trading Posts” with Christine Glenn/Sandy Sunseri

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

PRESENTATION DESCRIPTION The stories of trading posts in the Southwest are a unique snapshot of life almost one hundred years ago. In the early 1900’s, trading posts in the Four corners flourished. There were over one hundred trading posts on the plateau, but today only five remain. Why did they vanish? The challenges and unexpected […]

FREE

“Arizona Colonists, Pioneers, and Immigrants: A multicultural history” with Jim Turner

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

PRESENTATION DESCRIPTION Arizona’s history is much more than Hollywood’s Wild West stereotypes of cowboys, lawmen, and outlaws. In addition to miners, merchants, and ranchers, the area attracted faith-based farmers, health seekers, and women entrepreneurs of many creeds and cultures, including a Greco-Syrian camel driver. This presentation describes Arizona history’s notables and notorious characters from common […]

FREE

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