Arizona Historical Society

History
Pioneer Days
Even as they carved out a territory in the remote Southwest, Arizona pioneers were careful to pass on the legacy of their achievements to future generations. For that reason, in 1864 the forward-thinking First Territorial Legislature incorporated the Arizona Historical Society "to preserve the relics and paint the wonders of the past." It was an important step. William S. Oury spoke for a passing generation of territory-builders when he admonished a crowd gathered to greet the arrival of the railroad in Tucson on March 20, 1880, that “in the whirl of excitement, incident to the race after the precious treasure imbedded in our mountain ranges, our last request is that you kindly avoid trampling in the dust the few remaining monuments of the first American settlements in Arizona."

Four years later, several larger-than-life pioneers responded to Oury’s call. Led by Charles Debrille Poston, the self-proclaimed “Father of Arizona,” a group gathered in Tucson at 8 p.m. on Thursday, January 31, 1884, for the purpose of “forming a Pioneer Association of historical and humanitarian purposes.” These concerned citizens included: Jacob Mansfeld, Arizona's first bookstore owner; health seeker Sam Hughes; Territorial delegate Hiram Stevens; and Tom Jeffords, "Blood Brother" to Cochise. After heated discussion, membership in the organization, called the "Arizona Society of Pioneers," was restricted to men who had either arrived in Arizona, or were on their way to the territory, by 1870. By April, the Society consisted of fifty-nine pioneers, including Mexican-Americans Mariano Samaniego, Leopoldo Carillo, Demetrio Velasco, and Juan Elias.

It was a convivial group with a serious purpose. The Society of Pioneers held monthly meetings. Members also hosted banquets and made speeches, marched in parades, and attended funerals. They called each other "Brother," visited sick members, and set up a widow-and-orphan fund. Members intent on perpetuating their memory were urged to send in their life stories. Jacob Mansfeld assembled a photographic archive and a library was begun.

Expanding Horizons
The Arizona Society of Pioneers reincorporated in 1897 as the Arizona Pioneers’ Historical Society (APHS). The restyled organization added two new membership categories: men who had resided in Arizona for thirty years and honorary members. For the first time, the Territorial Legislature appropriated funds--$3,000--to operate the organization for two years.

Women slowly made their voices heard in the Society. Although an early invitation to form a “subordinate” women’s auxiliary fell on deaf ears, a few women were accepted into the Society by 1913. In 1920 portraits of pioneer women were displayed at the Society’s headquarters. Five years later APHS president Monte Mansfield asked Edith Stratton Kitt to serve as secretary, the Society’s chief operating officer. Mrs. Kitt bridged the gap between social club and modern archive, organizing materials, recording reminiscences, and encouraging donations to the collections.

After meeting in several locations, the Society moved to the University of Arizona in 1928. As early as 1931, however, members dreamed of constructing a building of their own. Dr. Robert Forbes spearheded the campaign. Elected to the Arizona Legislature in 1938, he eventually persuaded his fellow lawmakers to approve matching funds to erect a building in Tucson. The bill, which passed in 1947, included a clause opening membership to female descendents of Arizona pioneers. Donations flowed in from all over Arizona, enabling the Society to open the doors of its own building in 1955.

From the beginning, research, publication, and outreach were cornerstones of the revitalized Society. The first issue of Arizoniana, forerunner to The Journal of Arizona History, rolled off the press in 1960. For forty-five years, the Journal has been in the front rank of historical scholarship on the state and region. Books are also a significant part of the Society’s mission. Nearly seven dozen titles over the past century have recorded the history of the state and won numerous awards for scholarship and design.

Aware of its responsibility as a statewide organization, the Society hired its first field representative in 1966. In 1973, it initiated its first outreach program. Local historical associations throughout the state began to affiliate informally with APHS as early as the 1930s. The Northern Arizona Pioneers Historical Society of Flagstaff became the first official affiliate in 1953, and then the first "chapter" of the Society in 1973. In 1968 the State Legislature designated APHS as the certifying agency for state support to local historical organizations.

Years of Change and Growth
The 1970s were a period of change and growth. As early as 1959, the Society had amended its constitution to extend membership to any interested person. In 1971, the Society recognized that its mission and membership had evolved to the point where the word "pioneer" no longer defined the organization. It officially became the "Arizona Historical Society.” The Phoenix Historical Society became an AHS chapter in 1972. A decade later, the Rio Colorado Chapter was formed in Yuma and Tucson likewise became a chapter. The number of affiliates grew to twenty-one in 1982. To ensure involvement with public schools, the position of curator of education was created in 1972. Also in the 1970s, the Society began acquiring historic properties throughout Arizona in order to save them from destruction.

Today and Tomorrow
Time will tell what the Arizona Historical Society's dedication will mean to future generations in this marvelous state. Today, AHS remains committed to its mission statement: "To Collect, Preserve, Interpret and Disseminate the History of Arizona, the West, and New Mexico as it Pertains to Arizona." Through its exhibits, publications, educational programs, and outreach efforts it serves its more than 2,000 members and reaches out to visitors and institutions across the state and nation, and around the world. Through its fifty-two certified museums and thirteen affiliates it supports the important work of preserving local history. As Arizona prepares for its statehood centennial in 2012, the Arizona Historical Society looks forward to a future made richer by nearly a century and a half of preserving the past.