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Education

Romero Ruin Hike

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Romero Ruins

Romero History Hike 

Oro Valley Historical Society    

Friday, October 25, 2019

Registration: Contact Sue Chambasian at   schambasian@gmail.com no later than noon on October 23. Limited to 20 people on a first come, first served basis.  All participants must sign an OVHS waiver at the meeting place on October 25.

Hike: Walk several paths in Catalina State Park and hear about the history of the Francisco Romero family.  He and his descendants resided in this immediate area between 1869 and 1930.  The family had a cattle ranch and orchards in this area.

Leader: Jim Williams has led history hikes and recently researched the Romeros as part of his book, Claiming the Desert.

Time: Meet at 7:30 am at hike starting point

Location: Catalina State Park. Drive through the entrance gate on the main road until you see the sign for “Romero Ruins” on the right side of the road. Park in the lot on the immediate left of the road.

Length of Hike: 3 miles (2-3 hours)   Participants can choose to do the first Romero ruins hike, about 1 mile, and then stop.  Others can go on a further hike to another Romero site for approximately 2 miles.

Elevation gain:  150 feet 

Gear: Wear long pants, hiking boots or athletic shoes, and a hat.  Bring water and sunscreen.

Cost: If you have a state park pass, entrance to the Park is free. If not, a maximum of four people can arrive in one car and pay one $7.00 entrance fee.  Fee for the hike: a suggested donation of $10 per person to the Historical Society, payable when we meet at the parking lot.

Come on down!

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Members, volunteers and interested parties!  We invite you to our Quarterly Information Meeting at 1:00 pm, on Wednesday July 10, 2019 at the Pusch House, Steam Pump Ranch, at 10901 N. Oracle Rd.

As part of the Oro Valley Historical Society we actively work with the Town of Oro Valley to promote research, preservation, education and dissemination of history related to the Greater Oro Valley area.  To that end, we have quarterly informational meetings with several of our docents and other volunteers presenting information about our mission and our presence at Steam Pump Ranch.

We will include tours of the property, including the Heritage Garden that typically features crops that were cultivated by Native Americans in the area, our collection of artifacts, the Pusch House, the Proctor-Lieber House and other property buildings.   We’ll touch on future possible uses of those buildings as part of the Town of Oro Valley Master Plan for Steam Pump Ranch.

If you are a current member, have interest in becoming a member or would like to volunteer put this on your “to do” list!  Hope to see you.

For more information contact:

Carol Bull, OVHS Volunteer Coordinator carolpfc@icloud.com

Heritage Garden

Ranchin’ Display

Branding demonstration

Summer Fun at SPR

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Summer time and the livin’ is easy and fun!  Several Oro Valley Historical Society members shared their expertise at the ART + STEM = STEAM@STEAM PUMP RANCH OV Parks and Recreation summer camp program.  Thanks to Twink Monrad for sending along pictures of some of the activities and this synopsis of some of the activities.

“Each year my metal detecting buddy Don Morin and I are asked to give the camp kids a demonstration of metal detecting. This year another detecting friend, Randy Blades joined us.  We show the difference in sounds between detecting for meteorites, gold and silver and other jewelry, coins and an Earth Rock which does not make any noise at all.  Then we loan the camp kids metal detectors and pin pointers for a 40 minute hunt for pennies and one dime which we hide just under the dirt in the OVHS garden managed by Joyce Rychener.  The children have a great time finding coins after instruction on the metal detectors.”   Twink Monrad

Summer Library Display

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While you visit the Oro Valley Public Library to pick-up your summer reading, browse our new display.   Continuing the “Celebrate Oro Valley” theme, the OVHS Collection team put together an exhibit of local cattle ranching.  Kudos to Sue Chambasian for coordinating the display with the helping hands of Twink Monrad and Teri Colmar.

    Summer Library Display

Want to join OVHS?  There are brochures at the library display case or contact Carol Bull: carolpfc@icloud.com

Ranchin’ Library Display

Jim Williams to talk on Compelling Characters in OV

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Local author and historian, Jim Williams, will present a talk on “Compelling Characters in Oro Valley History.  There were more than a few so if you want to get a bit of local color and learn about Oro Valley personalities, you’ll enjoy Jim’s lecture.  The talk will take place at the Western National Parks Association on Wednesday, May 8th at noon and 2:00 pm.  The event is open to the public but reservations are required and can be made one week in advance (520-622-6014).
You won’t want to miss this!
                       

Summer Library Display

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Library Display

If you’re preparing your reading list for the upcoming “lazy days of summer” and find yourself at the Oro Valley Public Library, be sure to stop by and see our display.  The Collections team has gathered some of the favorite items from the Celebrate Oro Valley exhibit and taken them on the road to the library.  Thank you to Sue Chambasian for co-ordinating the library display theme and Twink Monrad for lending a helping hand.

Don’t forget to add “Claiming the Desert” by local author, Jim Williams, to your reading list.  Next time you take a hike in Catalina Park, or walk around Steam Pump Ranch at the Farmer’s Market, it will give you a new perspective on our local history.  Jim’s book can be bought at the Oro Valley Historical Society booth at Steam Pump Ranch on Saturdays from 8 to Noon for $15 or on Amazon.  Jim has generously donated all proceeds to the OVHS.  Thank you, Jim!

 

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