Arizona African American Historic Preservation Coalition Initiative
Collecting the stories and preserving the historic buildings of African Americans in Arizona is crucial to understanding and acknowledging the contributions and experiences of this community in the state's history. These buildings and stories serve as tangible evidence of the presence and influence of African Americans, and help to fill the gaps in the historical narrative that often overlook or ignore their contributions. By preserving these cultural landmarks, future generations will have access to a more comprehensive and accurate portrayal of the rich and diverse history of Arizona. Furthermore, the collection of these stories and sites helps to promote a deeper appreciation of the unique culture and heritage of African Americans and provides a sense of pride and identity for members of the community.
This webpage is part of our ongoing effort to gather and compile a collection of various types of resources, including books, publications, photographs, podcasts, websites, and others, for the purpose of sharing with preservation advocates and the general public. It's important to note that the collection is not intended to be complete or exhaustive, but rather an additional source of information and learning opportunities for individuals who are interested in African American history and historic preservation in Arizona. This webpage is meant to be a place for you to explore and discover new information at your own pace, and to let us know if you have information to share.
PRESERVATION INITIATIVES
The Arizona Preservation Foundation has collaborated with advocates, public officials, and the general public over the years to preserve and promote hundreds of historic properties, neighborhoods, and sites throughout Arizona. All parties agree on the need for proactive monitoring of threatened places and seeking out places that may have been overlooked due to geography, age, style, or cultural significance. This list highlights significant initiatives related to Arizona's African American heritage, which may have taken several years or even decades to complete. Additional places exist, so we, as a volunteer organization, ask for your help in documenting and working for their preservation and recognition. Send us a note. We look forward to hearing from you.
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Preserve Camp Naco, City of Bisbee
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Preserve the Mountain View Black Officers Club, Fort Huachuca
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Support the adaptive reuse of historic Dunbar School, Tucson
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Remove the last remaining Confederate memorial on public property
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Support federal legislation such as the African American Burial Grounds Preservation Act
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Encourage organizations and public entities to apply for available funding
INFORMATION RESOURCES
STATEWIDE
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Explore Black History in Arizona, Arizona PBS
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A Look Back at African American Contributions to Arizona, 12 News Phoenix, Feb. 2021
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6 Places to Learn about Black History in Arizona, Unstoppable Stacey, June 2020
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African American Newspapers in Arizona, City of Phoenix, Feb. 2023
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How is Black History Month Examined in Arizona? It Depends Who You Ask, KJZZ, Feb. 2023
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How the "Green Book" Helped Black Travelers Navigate Arizona During Jim Crow, Arizona Republic, Feb. 2016
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State’s African American Leaders Remembered in Black History Month, El Indie, Feb. 2015
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African American History Internship Project Research Collection, Arizona Historical Society, 1987-1994
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African Americans in Arizona: A Twentieth-Century History, Keith Jerome Crudup, Dec. 1998
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Black Collections, Community-Driven Archives Initiative, ASU Library
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African American History in Arizona, Wikipedia
MARICOPA COUNTY
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African American Historic Property Survey, City of Phoenix, 2004
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Tour Phoenix's African American Heritage, City of Phoenix, Nov. 2020
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Celebrating Black Stories in Phoenix, Visit Phoenix
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5 Black History Landmarks in Phoenix, Urban Matter, Feb. 2021
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10 Phoenix Places Tied to African American Heritage, DPI, Feb. 2020
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10 Phoenix Black Landmarks You Should Know and the Stories Behind Them, Arizona Republic, June 2020
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Downtown Phoenix 1959, George Hammons, Hear Arizona, Aug. 2021
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A Glimpse Into Phoenix's Segregated Past: The "Green Book" Guide to Downtown Phoenix, DPI, May 2020
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Eastlake Park, Historical Marker Database
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Environmental Racism and the Making of South Phoenix, Research in Human Ecology, 2004
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The "Historical Silence" of the Black Workers Who Made Phoenix Prosperous, Arizona Mirror, June 2020
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Black History Month, Phoenix College, Feb. 2023
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The African American Experience in Tempe, City of Tempe
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Black History Month in Chandler, City of Chandler
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A Letter from Hopeville, Miami Herald, June 2023
SOUTHERN ARIZONA
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Black History in Southern Arizona, Arizona Public Media, Feb. 2018
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Black History in Tucson and the American Southwest, Pima County Public Library
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In the Steps of Esteban, University of Arizona
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Sampling of African American Historic Places in Southern Arizona, APF Blog, Feb. 2022
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African American Historic Property Survey, City of Tucson
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African American Legacy Fund Grants, Arizona Community Foundation of Southern Arizona
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The Dunbar Pavilion: An African American Arts & Cultural Center
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Sugar Hill Oral History Project, Tucson
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Tucson Buffalo Soldier Memorial - Their Stories, Our History
NORTHERN ARIZONA
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African American Pioneers in Flagstaff, Oral History Collection, Arizona Archives Online, 1998-2002
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Flagstaff, Route 66, and the Green Book, Discover Flagstaff
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African American Pioneers Contributed to Northern Arizona Development, Williams News, Dec. 2016
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Flagstaff's Lived Black Experience: A Forgotten People Forging a Path Forward, A Strategic Plan Presented to
The Flagstaff City Council, 2020
NATIONAL
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Black Heritage Resources Task Force, Society of Black Archaeologists
WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!
If you have information to share, please let us know! Send us a note and we'll get back to you!