A prestigious recognition for Oro Valley history
Jim Williams, a longtime Oro Valley resident and past president of the Oro Valley Historical Society, has been awarded the 2024 Award of Excellence by the American Association for State and Local History (AASLH) for his book, Oro Valley The First Fifty Years. The AASLH Leadership in History Awards, now in its 80th year, is recognized as one of the highest honors for achievement in preserving and interpreting state and local history.
A career dedicated to education and local history
Williams moved to Oro Valley in 2006 after a career as a social studies educator in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, where he served as a teacher, department chair, and district coordinator. He was recognized in Pennsylvania for his contributions to education. In Arizona, he has written two articles for the Journal of Arizona History. His first book about Oro Valley, Claiming the Desert, was published in 2018 and focuses on the area’s settlers, homesteaders, and ranchers from 1865 to 1965.
Both Oro Valley The First Fifty Years and Claiming the Desert are available for purchase on Amazon, at the Western National Parks store on North Vistoso Village Drive, and at the Pusch House Museum at historic Steam Pump Ranch. Proceeds from book sales benefit the Oro Valley Historical Society.
Congratulations to Jim Williams
The Oro Valley Historical Society congratulates Jim Williams on this well-deserved recognition and thanks him for his dedication to keeping Oro Valley’s history alive.
Oro Valley Historical Society celebrates 20 years
The Oro Valley Historical Society, an all-volunteer nonprofit, is celebrating its 20th year of keeping Oro Valley’s history alive. The Society’s mission is to promote research, preservation, education, and the sharing of history related to the greater Oro Valley area.
About the AASLH Award of Excellence
The AASLH Award of Excellence honors projects and individuals in civic engagement, special projects, educational programs, exhibits, publications, and lifetime achievement. Winners represent the best in their field and provide leadership for the future of state and local history.
Learn more at www.ovhistory.org and read LOVE previous reports about Jim here.
The Oro Valley Historical Society, an all-volunteer nonprofit, is celebrating its 20th year of keeping Oro Valley’s history alive. The Society’s mission is to promote research, preservation, education, and the sharing of history related to the greater Oro Valley area.
About the AASLH Award of Excellence
The AASLH Award of Excellence honors projects and individuals in civic engagement, special projects, educational programs, exhibits, publications, and lifetime achievement. Winners represent the best in their field and provide leadership for the future of state and local history.
Learn more at www.ovhistory.org and read LOVE previous reports about Jim here.