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Arizona Preservation Webinar Series

Explore the Arizona Preservation Webinar Series, offering a deep dive into the fascinating and informative world of historic preservation in Arizona. This collection of webinars is organized into four engaging themes: place-based history, sustainability and historic preservation, societal issues in archaeology and historic preservation, and recognizing and interpreting historical materials. Each presentation provides unique insights and valuable knowledge about preserving Arizona’s rich heritage. Click on the graphic for a detailed description and link to watch the video recap on YouTube. For any questions or suggestions for future topics, please drop us a note.

The Architecture of Arizona’s Working-Class Communities

This presentation discusses the architecture of Arizona’s working-class and minority communities, with a special focus on how to identify, document, and interpret these unique resources. Case studies for several communities in Southern Arizona will be described to illustrate both past and on-going documentation efforts, including a discussion of grass-roots community efforts to bring recognition and designation to these resources.

Untold Histories in Arizona’s Copper Mining Communities

Popular histories of early Arizona mining settlements often focus on the role of male prospectors, military men, adventurers, entrepreneurs, and those quintessentially Western pioneers who have inspired books, movies, and television series. Unfortunately, western women have not been fully recognized for the important and diverse roles they played in the formation of Arizona’s burgeoning industrial communities of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.

During the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, many Apache men found work in the copper mines and associated communities in the east central region of Arizona. While many Apache integrated into Anglo American lifestyles and labor systems through mining, they were also able to retain aspects of their traditional culture and values. Yet, the diversity of the various people involved in the early Arizona copper mines influenced and were impact by the development of social norms, laws, and community regulations.

Digging Our Way Through Arizona

This Arizona Preservation Webinar Series presentation from March 7, 2023 focuses on three interesting archaeological projects in the Grand Canyon State.

"Government and Commerce in the Original Phoenix Townsite: Archaeology and History of Development on Blocks 22 and 23 of the OPT"

Archival and archaeological investigations of two city blocks in downtown Phoenix examined the remains of commercial and civic buildings. Evidence for 3 sequential generations of buildings documented the growth and development within the Original Phoenix Townsite from 1871-1975. Despite extensive disturbance in some areas, multiple well-preserved foundations, basements, privies, and other archaeological deposits provided information about the impact of national economic conditions on Phoenix.

"Munguia"

"Munguía" was produced for the descendants of Don Tomás Munguía at the 2022 Arizona Site Stewards Conference. The film was supported by Arizona State Parks, State Historic Preservation Office, and the Bureau of Land Management Tucson. In 2005, preservation archaeologist Jacquie Dale, submitted the Munguía homestead to the Arizona Site Steward program for protection and monitoring. 17 years later, filmmaker and site steward Kiersten Dunbar Chace, visits the Munguía site to monitor and document the home and learns of Munguía's rich Arizona ancestry, dating back to the 18th century.

"Archaeology at Apex, Arizona"

Archaeological investigations at the Apex logging camp (1928-1936) in Summer 2022 revealed the intersections of federal policies, like Prohibition, local contexts, such as the importance of the Grand Canyon Railway, and personal stories of the camp's residents through the artifacts, features, and landscapes still remaining at the site. Simultaneously, tours of the site revealed the importance of engaging any and all publics with Arizona's more recent history. This talk will address our recent findings of all aspects of our Summer program, as well as look forward to plans for the Summer 2023 season.

Flagstaff, Crossroads of Heritage: Tribes, Camels, Trains, Lumberjacks, Route 66 & Path to the Moon

This presentation explores Flagstaff’s diverse heritage, which includes archaeological and historical habitation of native peoples, a military road with camels, in use and abandoned railroads, remains relating the history of African Americans in the lumber industry, properties associated with plans for the first the moon landing, and of course Route 66. The webinar will review preservation of landscape-level Traditional Cultural Properties and intangible heritage as well as design and installation of placed-based public art.

Asian American History Across Arizona

This presentation delves into the rich and often overlooked history of Arizona's Asian American communities. It highlights key stories and sites, such as the Gordon Hirabayashi Campground, named after the Japanese American civil rights icon who defied internment orders during World War II. Attendees will also learn about the Arizona Chinese Railroad, which showcases the vital contributions of Chinese laborers to the state's railroad construction. Additionally, the presentation explores the history of Chinese merchants in Tucson, offering insights into their economic and cultural impact on the region. Join us for an enlightening journey through the significant yet underrepresented narratives of Arizona's Asian American heritage.

Using Story Maps to Share Your Preservation Journey: Lessons from Camp Naco

In 2022 chance visitors to Camp Naco saw a chain link fence surrounding a group of adobe buildings in varying states of decay. Site signage identified this ensemble as a post served by the Buffalo Soldiers, or segregated Black military, during the second decade of the twentieth century. Realizing that its important history should be shared, a team of faculty, students, volunteers, and professionals – funded by Arizona Humanities and the Arizona Preservation Foundation – created a story map to make the camp’s heritage universally accessible. In the process, Camp Naco became recognized for its national importance. This webinar presents the contributions of the collaborators to this award-winning story map. And those wonderful collaborators are Carlos Bazan, Crystal Carrancho, Helen Erickson, Gerald Lamb, Jenna Leveille, and Sarah McDowell.

Exploring the Butterfield Trail: Unveiling Arizona's Historic Connection

This presentation delves into the fascinating history and significance of the Butterfield Trail, a newly designated National Historic Trail. Signed into law by President Biden on January 5, 2023, this trail served as a crucial link between the eastern and western United States during a pivotal era in American history.

The Magic of Arizona Neon: Keeping its Glow Alive

Once the most exciting, brilliant, new lighting source, neon took over as the preferred roadside advertising medium for nearly a half-century -- only to move into disfavor and fade into near obscurity a half-century later. Spurred by First Lady "Lady Bird" Johnson's 1960s campaign to Beautify America, many cities started excluding neon in their sign ordinances. The bright glow of neon almost became a memory.

In the 1980s, a new appreciation for this magical medium began to re-emerge. Today, thanks to places like Las Vegas's Neon Boneyard, and other efforts, preserving historic neon is a firestorm that has spread across the country. Neon museums, neon sign parks, and other creative ways to showcase the artisanship and craftsmanship that was once the hallmark of neon have sprung up.

This interactive panel discussion that will explore the intriguing history of neon, the challenges of restoration, and reveal two diverse stories of how historic neon was successfully returned to public display.

Arizona's Aviation History

Following the invention of the airplane in 1903, the early 20th century saw the rapid development of aviation technology and airports, both for commercial and recreational purposes. Join Jack Treichler, Leighton Quarles, and Dan O'Toole talk about such things as forgotten navigational aids, early aviation in Arizona, the historic Grand Canyon Airport, and the Negritos Airstrip.

Hiding in Plain Site: Uncovering the Secret History of the Pinal County Airpark

This presentation delves into the fascinating history of the Pinal County Airpark, shedding light on its enduring buildings and structures and revealing some of the longstanding mysteries surrounding its 82-year history and distinctive architecture. Through a meticulous examination of both published articles and declassified government documents, Annie Lutes' thorough research on the Airpark has helped untangle its complex past. Explore its origins during WWII, its role in the Korean War, its significance in the Cold War era, and its involvement in Vietnam.

Whose History is it Anyway? Empowering Communities of Color to Identify & Preserve Their Own Stories

In recent years, the field of historic preservation has attempted to reconcile its “white” roots with the need to preserve the full American story. Preservationists have long bemoaned the lack of representation of communities of color in the National Register of Historic Places and have voiced concern over the alarming loss of properties that tell the story of indigenous communities and people of color across the American landscape. However, although awareness exists, how successful have efforts been to plan for the long-term preservation of stories and places important to people of color? In all this well-intended enthusiasm, have preservationists made adequate efforts to elevate the voices of community members and engage them fully in telling their own story? Whose history is it anyway?

This June 23, 2021 webinar highlighted efforts to tell stories and save places associated with Arizona’s rich ethnic heritage. Panelists discussed efforts underway to preserve stories and places in this state and beyond using unique strategies to overcome barriers that prevent us from telling the full story.

We started the day with a keynote presentation by Dr. Eduardo Obregón Pagán of Arizona State University, heard presentations and stories from people across the state, and ended with a lively afternoon panel discussion to help inform, inspire, and empower participants to record the histories of their own communities.

Examining the Role of Diversity and Inclusion in Arizona Archaeology

This presentation confronts the issues of bias, cultural justice, objectivity, race, and racism in Arizona archaeology today. The session will feature an introduction by William White on archaeology’s whiteness problem followed by a question-focused discussion with a diverse sample of Arizona’s professional Native, Black, Hispanic, and White archaeologists.

The goal of the session is to bring awareness to different Black, Indigenous, and other People of Color (BIPOC) perspectives, to the role of objectivity in archaeology, to the profession’s traditional bias towards a white Euroamerican perspective, to how the lack of diversity in the field does and does not affect what gets preserved or researched, and the effects that history and archaeology are interpreted in Arizona with the hope of building trust.

Uncovering & Celebrating LGBTQ2S+ History in Arizona

Join us for an engaging panel discussion featuring historians and preservation advocates who have collaborated with LGBTQ2S+ communities across various states. This presentation will offer practical, user-friendly tools and documents these experts utilize to record and preserve the rich histories of LGBTQ2S+ communities. Following the presentation, there will be a Q&A session to explore how these techniques can be applied to highlight the stories and contributions of LGBTQ2S+ individuals across our state.

Attendees will have the opportunity to contribute to building a comprehensive list of places significant for their association with LGBTQ2S+ history. This growing list will be made publicly available to ensure that these important sites are recognized and preserved for future generations. Your participation is vital in helping us honor and document the vibrant history of LGBTQ2S+ communities.

Maximizing Accessibility for Historic Places

In this presentation hosted by Susan Lawson (Arizona SHPO) and Alesha Adolph (Arizona Preservation Foundation), webinar speakers Heather Pressman, Michael Becherer, Jenni Sunshine, and Sherri Crosslin discuss the topic of universal design/accessible design in historic buildings. We cover example projects in which historic buildings have been rehabilitated or retrofitted to be accessible for their occupants. Accessible includes wheelchairs as well as other disabilities. More specific subtopics include: how to keep as much original exterior/interior as possible, what tools/features need to be added, how to create spaces for light, sound, and tactile sensitivity, and how to ensure those visiting feel just as welcome.

How a Single Citizen Can Make a Difference in Strengthening a Historic Preservation Culture

In the long run, educating young people about historic preservation, heritage, and civic memory is the key to a robust historic preservation culture in the future. Every community has the issue of strengthening citizen involvement. Even those that get involved, there's a struggle with making sure the involvement is positive and produces results. This session tells the story of one citizen's journey along the path of impacting the historic preservation culture of one community in a positive way by focusing on education and involvement.

You will learn how to establish trust and credibility, the building blocks of any change effort. The session shows clearly how a citizen with no formal power can get decision makers to take action on key components of history and heritage. You will come away with an understanding of how passion, credibility, and persistence can be as powerful as money and legislation when it comes to historic preservation (and other causes).

Pivoting for the Holidays: Revitalizing Downtown Amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic

Communities across Arizona spent much of their pandemic downtime reimagining their events and planning for upcoming holiday activities. During this webinar, representatives from four rural communities will share how they have pivoted over the last few months in response to the pandemic, talk about their efforts and programs they have implemented to support their local businesses during these challenging times, and highlight some of the events and promotions they have planned for this year’s winter season and into 2021.

Sustainability in Preservation

In this presentation, Robert Graham and Simon Herbert explore strategies for enhancing the sustainability of historic buildings and maintaining them in an environmentally friendly manner. They cover a range of specific topics, including innovative design approaches, the integration of solar energy, window preservation and upgrades, as well as efficient heating and cooling solutions. Emphasizing the adage, “the greenest building is the one that already exists,” this session offers valuable insights into balancing preservation with modern sustainability practices, ensuring that historic structures can meet today’s environmental standards while retaining their historical significance.

Adaptive Reuse Across Arizona

Part 1 of "The Greenest Building" Arizona Preservation Webinar Series highlights the environmental benefits of preservation through adaptive reuse projects across Arizona. There are many ways to make use of vacant buildings to best serve the community, incorporate sustainable design, and reduce waste. We welcome three subject matter experts in their fields: Jeremy Haines and the U.S. Forest Service's Rooms with a View program, restaurateur Craig DeMarco on his company's unique and popular dining establishments, and architect Corky Poster on his firm's work on numerous southern Arizona landmarks. There will also be a Q&A session and resource provided.

Architectural Salvaging & Deconstruction

Part 2 of "The Greenest Building" Arizona Preservation webinar series discusses how we can be mindful of the environment when a building is set for demolition through salvaging and deconstruction projects. There are many pieces of a building that can be reused, from the wood and bricks to the interior fixtures.

The Sustainable Design of Historic Buildings

Part 3 of "The Greenest Building" Arizona Preservation Webinar series discusses the environmental benefits of preservation through sustainable design projects across Arizona. We can learn from past generations’ designs to learn how buildings can be best designed for their climate and landscape. This can be through designing new buildings based off that knowledge and incorporate them into rehabilitation projects.

Recognizing & Interpreting Historical Materials: Insulators & Ammunition: Glass Artifacts

This presentation provided a summary of development of glass bottles and other containers in the late historical period (ca. 1865–1972). Glass bottles and metal cans are arguably the most common artifact types identified on archaeological sites in Arizona. Formerly known as the “Baby State,” Arizona’s rural and urban landscapes took shape following the American Civil War. A number of communities in Arizona produced glass containers for distribution across the territory. With the completion of transcontinental railroads and connecting branch lines after 1880, bottles and glass containers were shipped from hundreds of factories across the country. This webinar focused on providing information for dating “utilitarian” bottles and other containers through the recognition of specific bottle attributes and locating manufacturer marks and other diagnostic marks.

Recognizing & Interpreting Historical Materials: Ceramics

This presentation from provides an understanding of the basic technology of ceramic production and how the innovations that have characterized the industry can aid in grouping like ceramics and placing them in time. It will introduce the participant with the following: (1) a basic understanding of what “style” is and how to identify it, (2) an understanding of the technology of ceramic production (including decoration), and (3) the importance of establishing a reference library and comparative collection.

Recognizing & Interpreting Historical Materials: Tools, Hardware, Tack, & Personal Items

This presentation provides a summary of tools, hardware, tack, and personal items. New technologies in the twentieth century influenced the production of new tools and hardware that are still common today. Given the importance of farming and ranching in Arizona's growth through the late-historical period, it is not surprising to find tack items in archaeological settings. Archaeologists have identified a wide variety of personal items documented on sites. Those most commonly found in Arizona might include buttons, marbles, batteries, coins and tokens, and toys. An understanding of these artifact types will assist in determining site function and use, whether domestic (e.g., homesteads, farms, ranches), commercial and industrial (e.g., mines, railroads, general industry), or in affiliation with work camps.

Recognizing & Interpreting Historical Materials: Insulators & Ammunition

This presentation provides a summary of development of glass and ceramic insulators, as well as ammunition in the late historical period (ca. 1865–1972). These artifact types are quite common on archaeological sites and other historical resources in Arizona (i.e., buildings, structures, and objects).

Formerly known as the “Baby State,” Arizona’s rural and urban landscapes took shape in this period. Insulators were essential components of early telegraph lines, especially in the peak period of railroad development. With the success of telephone service and electrical power through the course of the twentieth century, insulators were manufactured in a variety of styles, reflecting their function and on a variety of utility and transmission lines.

Although archaeologists rarely find evidence of firearms on archaeological surveys, spent cartridges and shotshells are much more commonly documented. The challenge for archaeologists is to determine if ammunition documented on sites is affiliated with the site or with later hunting or recreational activities.

Recognizing & Interpreting Historical Materials: Metal Cans

This Arizona Preservation Webinar Series presentation focuses on the development of the metal can. Cans have been an important part of the American lifestyle for more than 180 years. First engineered in France (1809), the metal can was eventually adopted here in the United States, and played an important role in the course of the American Civil War. New technologies in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries greatly influenced the production of metal cans. By 1914, an estimated 3 billion cans were being produced, much of which occurred in the United States. As such, it is not surprising that cans comprise a sizable proportion of historical artifacts identified on archaeological sites here in Arizona. This webinar will provide a brief commentary of cans manufactured and distributed across the United States from the latter half of the 19th century through the early 1970s.