News

May 20 2023
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In Memory of OVHS President Henry K. Zipf

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Henry Zipf

 

The Oro Valley Historical Society (OVHS) Board members are saddened to announce the passing of our friend and President Henry K. Zipf.  Henry was the great-grandson of George and Mathilda (nee Feldman) Pusch, grandson of Gertrude (nee Pusch) and Henry W. Zipf, and son of Henry (Hank) G. and Ann (nee Lourie) Zipf.  Henry is survived by sons Nolan and Stephen and his partner, Debra.  Henry is also survived by a sister, Laurie and brother, Donald. The Pusch/Zipf family has long historical roots in both the Greater Tucson and Oro Valley areas.

 

Henry was an active member and board member of the Society for many years.  He dedicated much time and many resources to the organization.  He had a great deal of local knowledge of Oro Valley’s early years.  Henry was full of entertaining stories that included ranch life and his lifetime in the Tucson area.  Henry could “spin a good yarn” and his chuckle was infectious!

 

OVHS is grateful for Henry’s dedication to our mission.  Henry generously donated many Pusch family heirlooms and archival material to the OVHS for its collections.  He was intent on preserving the Pusch family history at Steam Pump Ranch somewhat as a personal legacy but more so, for the benefit of Oro Valley history and the community.  The Oro Valley Historical Society will do its best to continue to carry out Henry’s wishes in that effort.  We will miss him!

Henry and son, Stephen installing a display at the Pusch House Museum

Henry Zipf receiving grant check from Arizona Historical Society representative.

A Celebration of Life Service with be held on Saturday, June 3 at 10:00 a.m. at:

Corpus Christi Catholic Church

300 N. Tanque Verde Loop

Tucson, AZ 85748

 

Memorial donations at the family’s behest can be made in Henry’s name to:

Oro Valley Historical Society

P.O. Box  69754

Oro Valley, AZ 85737-0021

 

 

Mar 16 2023
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Spring Newsletter

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Oro Valley Historical Society Spring Newsletter

George Pusch at the Pusch House!

Thank you to Franz Fauley for his portrayal of George Pusch on February 18. Our February exhibit “Arizona – The Road to Statehood” included George’s role in the Arizona Constitutional Convention. Franz/George shared that history with exhibit visitors. Thank you, Franz!

Don’t Miss These Upcoming Events!

Saturday, March 11, 18, and 25 Pusch House Museum Exhibit: Courageous, Resilient, Determined Women of Oro Valley and Beyond. Open 9 to Noon at Steam Pump Ranch.

Please note! Due to building restoration at Steam Pump Ranch, the third Saturday tours WILL NOT be available in March and April! Construction activity will make it too difficult to navigate the property.

Monday, March 13 @ 2:00 – Author Jan Cleere will present “Following the Bugle”, a history of military wives in AZ in the 1800’s at the Oro Valley Pima County Library.

This is the last speaker’s event for this program year. Thank you to Jim Williams for setting up our Speaker’s Bureau events!

April Exhibit: Oro Valley – The Making of a Town Saturday, April 1 and April 8 from 9 to Noon at the Pusch House Museum at Steam Pump Ranch.

The Oro Valley Historical Society program year ends on Saturday, April 8 (see above) and will resume in September. See you then!

The Oro Valley Historical Society’s handy man extraordinaire, Denzil Walker, gave our donation box a “restoration”. It’s a replica of the Pusch House. Can we get it on the National Registry?

OVHS ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING MARCH 30 @ 3:00 P.M.
PUSCH HOUSE AT STEAM PUMP RANCH ALL ARE WELCOME!
WE WILL ALSO CELEBRATE OUR VOLUNTEERS!

 

Board Briefs

  • OVHS* raised $4251 from the fundraising event “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” – How Sara Plummer Lemmon Reached New Heights!” on February 19. The Board thanks all the sponsors, donors, and attendees and OVHS volunteers for making it a success. OVHS also thanks Wynne Brown the speaker who gave a wonderful presentation!
  • The TOV is framing an agreement allowing OVHS use of storage space in the new Parks and Recreation office at Steam Pump Ranch.
  • The board Treasurer is working on the 2023 OVHS budget.
  • In response to the TOV “senior survey”, OVHS will coordinate its educational

    events with the TOV when OVHS plans the next program year.

  • TOV advised OVHS that the restoration of “Carlos’s Barbeque” and the Bunk

    Houses will begin in March. Areas of the property will have limited access.

  • OVHS requested that the TOV review the “Deed of Preservation Easement” for

    Steam Pump Ranch. OVHS has concerns that some of the restrictions for

    property use, restoration, and the Master Plan might be getting overlooked.

  • Basis School will be using a program that was instituted by OVHS Heritage

    Garden Chair, Joyce Rychener. Details for Garden use with Basis are currently

    being worked out.

  • Several private tours are lined up for Steam Pump Ranch and the Pusch House.
  • Bylaws changes were reviewed and accepted by the board. They will be presented to members at the Annual Meeting on March 30th at 3:00 p.m.                                             *TOV – Town of Oro Valley   *OVHS – Oro Valley Historical Society

Thank you to Sherri Graves Photography for photographing our February fundraising event.

Be sure to check the NEW “Videos” tab on the website…see some of the talks you might have missed. Thank you to Jim Horn, Devon Sloan and Paul Loomis for working on the videos and getting them on the OVHS website.

Volunteers Denzil Walker and Craig Colmar moving treasures from the Bunk House

Private Tour with PEO Chapter at Steam Pump Ranch

 

Thank You Volunteers!

OVHS thanks the volunteers who made the fundraising event a success: Otton Suarez, Annette Munoz, Tina Zogott, Kathryn Hull-Butkus, Denzil Walker, Sue Chambasian, Sherri Graves, Twink Monrad, Devon Sloan, and Teri Colmar.

Thank you to docents, booth hospitality, researchers, writers, and hands-on help volunteers! Shirley Pinkerton, Tina Zogott, Annette Munoz, Kathryn Hull- Butkus, Anne Keeler, Cheryl Leiber, Barbara McIntyre, Denzil Walker, Lori Harrison, Bob Kellar, Devon Sloan, Otton Suarez, Jack Holmes, Kate Cusumano, Bill Morse, Pat Spoerl, Jim Williams, Mikki Douglas, Shelley Solomon, Carol Bagley, Sherri Graves, Twink Monrad, Jim Skalicky, John Munden, Roxy Johnson, Sue Chambasian, Paul Loomis, Joyce Rychener, Henry Zipf, and Teri Colmar

Volunteer Appreciation Day will follow the Annual Membership Meeting on March 30 @ 3:00 p.m. at the Pusch House at Steam Pump Ranch.

Summer Volunteer Opportunity!

The Heritage Garden is active during the summer months. Do you have a green thumb?

Contact Joyce Rychener to volunteer in the garden Joyceholloway2@gmail.com

Feb 14 2023
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Thank You to our Event Sponsors!

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The Oro Valley Historical Society greatly appreciates the support of the Lisa Bayless Team at Long Realty for contributing to the “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough!” fundraising event at the Master Gardener Level of $1000 and The Colmar Family Foundation at the Gardener Level of $500.

Proceeds from the event will allow the Oro Valley Historical Society to fulfill its mission to promote research, preservation, education, and dissemination of history related to the Greater Oro Valley Area.  It will allow OVHS to continue exhibits, lectures, tours and programs in service to the Oro Valley community.

We thank the Lisa Bayless Team @ Long Realty and the Colmar Family Foundation for helping with this effort!

Feb 14 2023
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The Road to Arizona Statehood!

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The Road to Arizona Statehood was a long trek!  On Valentine’s Day, February 14, 1912 it became the 48th State of the Union and the last state to be admitted to the continental United States.

Discover the details of statehood and how George Pusch is connected.  See a flag with 48 stars on display in the exhibit.

The museum is open on Saturdays from 9 to Noon.  A $5 donation is requested.

Jan 09 2023
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Fundraising Event: Wynne Brown Presentation

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Don’t miss a great opportunity to hear a great presentation!

“Ain’t no mountain High Enough!”

How Sara Plummer Lemmon Reached New Heights

Mount Lemmon towers above Oro Valley but what do you know about its namesake?  Sara Plummer Lemmon’s life will be subject of a presentation given by author Wynne Brown based on her book:  “The Forgotten Botanist, Sara Plummer Lemmon’s Life of Science and Art”.

The event will benefit the ongoing programs of the Oro Valley Historical Society and take place at the Oro Valley Country Club (300 W. Greenock) on Sunday, February 19 at 3:00 p.m.

Tickets are $75 (non-refundable) and include a buffet dinner and a Door Prize raffle ticket.  Tickets purchased  February 5 OR LATER are $85.  .÷TICKET CAN BE PURCHASED ON THIS WEBSITE.  GO TO THE HOMEPAGE AND LOOK FOR THE RED TICKET.  Tickets can also be purchased at the Oro Valley Historical Society booth at the Farmer’s Market at Steam Pump Ranch on Saturdays from 9 to noon.

This is a perfect read and outing for book clubs and local history loving groups!  Wynne will be available to sell and sign books at the event. (And many thanks to Wynne for taking the time to do this event!)

There will also be fantastic raffle prizes (tickets for purchase at the event) including an overnight stay with spa service at El Conquistador, A Hilton Resort (many thanks to the El Conquistador for their generous donation).

One of the comments OVHS docents hear most often during exhibits and tours:  “I had no idea the Oro Valley area has such a wealth of history.”  Now you can learn the history of our beloved mountain and the woman who reached new heights!

Nov 17 2022
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Traditions, Toys and Trains!

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Get into the holiday spirit and visit the Pusch House Museum.  Beginning December 3, the Oro Valley Historical Society will feature “Traditions, Toys, and Trains” in the Pusch House Museum.  Discover a variety of holiday traditions, walk through the history of some of our favorite toys, and see how trains connect to the holiday season and influenced the Greater Oro Valley area.

The Pusch House Museum is open on Saturday, December 3, 10 and 17 from 9 a.m. to Noon and located in Steam Pump Ranch Historical Park at 10901 N. Oracle Road, Oro Valley.   Walk to the far south end of the the property past the Farmer’s Market.

DON’T MISS the “LETTERS TO SANTA MAILBOX” on the porch of the museum (Saturdays, Dec. 3, 10, and 17) AND a visit from PAPA NOEL (the German Father Christmas) on December 17 from 10 a.m. to Noon!

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