Hi, Oro Valley! Are you enjoying the Semiquincentennial festivities taking place across Arizona? There is much happening to mark the 250th anniversary of our nation’s birth, and you can begin celebrating right here in Oro Valley.
February highlights in OVHS’s 20th anniversary year
Last month, we shared a snapshot of our 20th anniversary year. This month, the Oro Valley Historical Society highlights what is planned for the community in February.
Semiquincentennial exhibit at Steam Pump Ranch
Activities begin at historic Steam Pump Ranch, where the Pusch House Museum features an exhibit explaining why the nation is celebrating the Semiquincentennial. Visitors will learn who was involved, the ideas that shaped the movement, the challenges faced, and the journey toward independence from the United Kingdom. This exhibit will be available each Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon through February 21. After that date, the focus will shift to how the Semiquincentennial relates to the state of Arizona, with the new exhibit available for the remainder of the month. Volunteers will be on site each Saturday to provide information and answer questions. Self-guided tours are complimentary, with donations gratefully accepted.
Valentine’s Day walking tours and Heritage Garden visit
On Valentine’s Day—and Arizona’s birthday—February 14, the Society’s naturalist will lead two gentle, hour-long walking tours of the Ranch at 9:15 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. The tours explore the geology, flora, and fauna of the Sonoran Desert while also sharing stories of the people who lived on the Ranch beginning in the late 1800s. Tours conclude in the Society-maintained Heritage Garden, where visitors can see winter crops and walk through a replica of a Hohokam pithouse.
Community donations supporting local non-profits
Also on February 14, GAP Ministries will return to the Ranch seeking donations of resealable bags (such as Ziploc), canned vegetables, and dish soap for its kitchen. GAP Ministries will return again on February 21 to collect the same items and will be joined by Habitat for Humanity, which will accept donations of household items ranging from furniture to floor coverings. Visit www.ovhistory.org for details on how to support these non-profits through the Society’s “Be Our Ranch Guest” program.
Historical presentation at Oro Valley Public Library
Away from the Ranch but nearby, the Oro Valley Public Library will host a presentation on Friday, February 27, at 3:00 p.m. Royal John Medley, a board member of the Oracle Historical Society, will speak about Earl Francis Linwood, an Oracle resident until 1966. Known for marching to his own beat, Linwood’s story is one attendees will not want to miss. As with all Oro Valley Historical Society events, the presentation is complimentary, with donations gratefully accepted.
Join the celebration locally
Whether at Steam Pump Ranch or the Oro Valley Public Library, the Oro Valley Historical Society invites the community to join in celebrating the nation’s 250th birthday.
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February highlights in OVHS’s 20th anniversary year
Last month, we shared a snapshot of our 20th anniversary year. This month, the Oro Valley Historical Society highlights what is planned for the community in February.
Semiquincentennial exhibit at Steam Pump Ranch
Activities begin at historic Steam Pump Ranch, where the Pusch House Museum features an exhibit explaining why the nation is celebrating the Semiquincentennial. Visitors will learn who was involved, the ideas that shaped the movement, the challenges faced, and the journey toward independence from the United Kingdom. This exhibit will be available each Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon through February 21. After that date, the focus will shift to how the Semiquincentennial relates to the state of Arizona, with the new exhibit available for the remainder of the month. Volunteers will be on site each Saturday to provide information and answer questions. Self-guided tours are complimentary, with donations gratefully accepted.
Valentine’s Day walking tours and Heritage Garden visit
On Valentine’s Day—and Arizona’s birthday—February 14, the Society’s naturalist will lead two gentle, hour-long walking tours of the Ranch at 9:15 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. The tours explore the geology, flora, and fauna of the Sonoran Desert while also sharing stories of the people who lived on the Ranch beginning in the late 1800s. Tours conclude in the Society-maintained Heritage Garden, where visitors can see winter crops and walk through a replica of a Hohokam pithouse.
Community donations supporting local non-profits
Also on February 14, GAP Ministries will return to the Ranch seeking donations of resealable bags (such as Ziploc), canned vegetables, and dish soap for its kitchen. GAP Ministries will return again on February 21 to collect the same items and will be joined by Habitat for Humanity, which will accept donations of household items ranging from furniture to floor coverings. Visit www.ovhistory.org for details on how to support these non-profits through the Society’s “Be Our Ranch Guest” program.
Historical presentation at Oro Valley Public Library
Away from the Ranch but nearby, the Oro Valley Public Library will host a presentation on Friday, February 27, at 3:00 p.m. Royal John Medley, a board member of the Oracle Historical Society, will speak about Earl Francis Linwood, an Oracle resident until 1966. Known for marching to his own beat, Linwood’s story is one attendees will not want to miss. As with all Oro Valley Historical Society events, the presentation is complimentary, with donations gratefully accepted.
Join the celebration locally
Whether at Steam Pump Ranch or the Oro Valley Public Library, the Oro Valley Historical Society invites the community to join in celebrating the nation’s 250th birthday.
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