The Oro Valley Historical Society is celebrating its 20th anniversary, and we invite you to join us from September through the end of April.
Opening Exhibit: Restoring the Past
We’ll begin our season at historic Steam Pump Ranch on Saturday, September 6, from 9 a.m. to noon with our exhibit “Restoring the Past.” Explore the restoration history of the Ranch’s structures, listed on the National Register of Historic Places. When the Town purchased the property in 2007, it looked very different than it does today. Through displays, articles, photos, videos, and more, you can follow the transformation brought about by the vision of the Society’s founders—Dick Eggerding, Pat Spoerl, and Jim Kriegh—along with community volunteers and Town staff. Volunteers will be on hand to answer questions and share additional information.
A special addition to the Ranch this year was made possible by the Greater Oro Valley Chamber of Commerce Foundation. Last year, the Society received a grant to create and install permanent interpretive signs at each historic building. Volunteers worked to determine what information the community would find most meaningful, and the Town staff completed the installation in July. Thanks to this effort, visitors can now learn about the buildings’ history, uses, and past residents anytime they visit the Ranch. We are grateful to the Foundation for helping us keep Oro Valley’s history alive.
Meteorites and the Gold Basin Adventure
As a prelude to our October exhibit, Board Member and Lifetime Supporter Twink Monrad will give a presentation at the Oro Valley Public Library on Tuesday, September 24, at 1 p.m. on meteorites and the Gold Basin Adventure. She accompanied Society founder and “Father of Oro Valley” Jim Kriegh on expeditions in Mohave County, where he discovered meteorites in an area long known for gold veins. This discovery attracted the University of Arizona, which went on to classify and map the region. Joining Twink will be her colleague Dr. Larry Lebofsky, Senior Education and Communication Specialist with the Planetary Science Institute. Dr. Lebofsky also serves on the Education and Engagement Advisory Board of the Vatican Observatory Research Group and the Council of Advisors of the Vatican Observatory Foundation.
Free Tours and Presentations
Tours of the Pusch House Museum will continue on Saturdays throughout the year. Both the tours and the library presentation are free, though donations are always welcome to support our mission of keeping Oro Valley’s history alive.
Celebrate With Us
Join us as we celebrate our 20th anniversary!
👉 Learn more at: www.ovhistory.org
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