Historic Preservation

Community involvement keeps threatened Arizona parks open

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[Source: Mark Duncan, Enterprise Reporter, the Daily Courier] – A couple of years ago, the Arizona State Parks system found itself in a second-hand crisis, thanks to the general budgeting malaise that affected the whole of state government. With gargantuan deficits looming, the Legislature chose to “sweep” pretty much any and all available money from any and all “non-essential” departments, including the state parks department, which suddenly had some hard choices on its hands.

The directors there cut staffing and programs and looked for every possible way to make ends meet. In the end, though, they had to make a list they never thought they’d make – a list of parks that might have to close because they just couldn’t make ends meet on their own. On that list were Red Rocks State Park, one of four conservation parks statewide, and Fort Verde Historic State Park, one of the nine historic parks in the system.

Well, the folks of Sedona and Camp Verde weren’t going to let that happen in their towns. And it just so happened that Yavapai County Supervisor Chip Davis had stashed away some money from cable television franchise fees – money that was earmarked for parks and recreation activities. With the blessing of the other two supervisors, he pledged $30,000 per year to each of the two parks.

In Sedona, as the staff of state employees was cut in half, the community came alive in support of the park. In addition to the county money, the City of Sedona contributed $15,000 and the Sedona Community Foundation added $10,000, and a group called the Benefactors of Red Rock State Park came up with $145,000 in donations large and small, including $15,000 from a family foundation that paid for a part-time ranger to run the school program [to read the full article click here].

Nancy Burgess is the 2010 recipient of the Sharlot Hall Award.

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[Source: Mike Lange, Prescottenews.com] – Arizona native Nancy Burgess, whose decades-long historic preservation efforts have left an indelible mark on Prescott and the state, has been honored as the 2010 recipient of the Sharlot Hall Award for valuable contributions to the understanding and awareness of Arizona and its history. Sharlot Hall Museum Executive Director John Langellier presented the award to Burgess at the August 6th Western History Symposium dinner at the St.Michael Hotel in downtown Prescott.

Burgess, the retired Historic Preservation Specialist for the City ofPrescott, has had a life-long passion for the history of theGrand CanyonState. Since 1987 her work in historic preservation has included projects that provide protection, interpretation, education, rehabilitation and restoration of scores of significant and unique cultural resources inCentral Arizona. She played a major role in grants for several historic districts in the city, three walking tours and the creation of a handbook for owners of historic properties. Burgess also authored heritage preservation publications, produced a historic preservation ordinance, championed adaptive re-use of several properties including the magnificent Elks Opera House, worked diligently for the Citizens Cemetery, developed an impressive historic marker program, skillfully prepared numerous National Register nominations for the City of Prescott, the City of Sedona, the Federal Government, and for private property owners, and has been an important presence in statewide preservation. Her efforts paved the way forPrescottreceiving the prestigious designation of a Preserve America Community in 2005 and the following year joining the distinguished ranks of the National Trust’s Dozen Distinctive Designations. In addition, Burgess has found time to write books and articles on preservation while she and her husband have personally restored five National Register properties.

The annual Sharlot Hall Award originated in 1984 to recognize a livingArizonawoman as a counterpart to the Arizona Women’s Hall of Fame, which honors women posthumously. A committee reviews nominations from aroundArizona. Museum founder Sharlot Mabridth Hall (1870-1943) achieved fame as a poet, activist, politician, andArizona’s first territorial historian. As early as 1907, she saw the need to saveArizona’s history and planned to develop a museum. She began to collect both Native American andpioneer material. In 1909, Hall was appointed Territorial Historian and became the first woman to hold territorial office. In 1927, she began restoring the first Territorial Governor’s residence and offices and moved her extensive collection of artifacts and documents opening it as a museum in 1928. For the remainder of her life, she worked to preserveArizona’s historic past. Her diligent efforts inspired others to continue contributing to the preservation of earlyArizonaand American history.

Douglas Mansion project in Jerome wins Governor’s award

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[Source: Philip Wright, Verde Independent] – Among the Governor’s Awards presented for Arizona Public Archaeology and Heritage Preservation announced June 24, was an award for the stabilization project of the Douglas Mansion at Jerome State Historic Park near Jerome. The award ceremony took place at the University Park Marriott in Tucson during the 9th Annual Arizona Historic Preservation Conference. The DouglasMansionproject was recognized as a partnership among ArizonaState Parks, YavapaiCounty, the Town of Jeromeand the Jerome Historical Society.

The Jerome State Historic Park, with the Douglas Mansion as its centerpiece, reopened Oct. 14, after the stabilization project was completed. The popular state park was closed suddenly in February 2009 due to budget sweeps and needed repairs. No one was expecting the park to reopen in the foreseeable future. But a partnership of sorts among the Yavapai County Board of Supervisors, the State Parks Board, the Douglas family and the Town of Jerome gave the park new life. The partnership brought about the reopening of the park much sooner than expected.

Chip Davis, county supervisor for District 3, convinced the board to kick in $30,000. TheDouglas family chipped in $15,000, and the State Parks Heritage Fund came up with grants for the project. TheDouglasMansion was built in 1916 by Jimmy “Rawhide” Douglas, and it became a state park in 1965. Douglas designed the mansion as a home for his family and as a hotel for mining officials and investors. Originally, the mansion featured a billiard room, wine cellar and steam heat. Built from adobe bricks made on site, the home was well ahead of the times with a central vacuum system. Now the museum features many exhibits, mining artifacts, photographs, minerals and a three-dimensional model of Jerome with its underground mines and tunnels.

Visitors on the rise at Tonto Natural Bridge near Payson

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[Source: Peter Aleshire, Payson Roundup] – Bouyed by a 12-percent rise in visitation, the Tonto Natural Bridge State Park has returned to a seven-day-a-week schedule as rangers and volunteers brace for a busy holiday weekend.

Managers of the world’s largest natural arch and its historic buildings hope that word will spread among visitors still confused by fire-based forest closures and lingering questions about state parks budget cuts. “I think we’ll be very busy on the Fourth, but I don’t think we’ll be overloaded,” said Ranger Steve Jakublowski, the park manager. “There’s a lot of misconceptions still going on, especially with the fires. People are calling quite a bit wondering whether we’re open.” [to read the full story click here].