Thursday, December 5, 2024

Preserving Oro Valley’s Legacy: Historical Society Secures Grant for Steam Pump Ranch Enhancements

Oro Valley Historical Society receives a generous grant
On Monday, November 25, the Oro Valley Historical Society gratefully accepted a $3,600.00 grant from the Oro Valley Chamber Foundation at the Foundation Board meeting. In attendance at the meeting were Founder of the Society, Pat Spoerl; current President, Denzil Walker; Board member, Bob Kellar; Encore Fellowship volunteer, Lynn Zoyiopoulos; and Otton Suarez, supporter and Board member of the Foundation.

Purpose of the grant
The grant will be used to research and design and hire a company to manufacture new permanent signs at the historic Steam Pump Ranch. The Society has already put in place a committee to work on this very important project, which will help preserve the historic heart of Oro Valley and its stories.

Significance of the project

"OVHS is pleased to have been awarded this grant from the Oro Valley Chamber of Commerce Foundation. The grant is very timely in making Oro Valley's heritage more accessible to all who visit Steam Pump Ranch. Permanent outdoor interpretive signs that explain the history of the buildings and tell stories of the people who lived and worked in them will be available to those who visit the Ranch any time between sunrise and sunset," said Pat Spoerl, Founder.

Gratitude for the grant
The Oro Valley Historical Society is so grateful to the Oro Valley Chamber Foundation for this grant and the impact it will have on our ability to support our mission to promote research, preservation, education, and dissemination of history related to the Greater Oro Valley area. Thank you for joining us to keep Oro Valley history alive!
- - -

Photo caption
From left to right: Bob Kellar, Board Member; Lynn Zoyiopoulos, Encore Fellow volunteer; Pat Spoerl, Founder; Otton Suarez, Supporter; Denzil Walker, President.