October is German-American Heritage Month

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German Heritage Exhibi

Congress, by Public Law 100 – 104, designated October 6, 1987, the 304th anniversary of the arrival of the first German immigrants in Philadelphia, as “German-American Day” and authorized and requested President Reagan to issue a proclamation in observance of that day. “Now, therefore, I, Ronald Reagan, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim Tuesday, October 6, 1987, as German-American Day. I urge all Americans to learn more about the contributions of German immigrants to the life and culture of the United States and to observe this day with appropriate ceremonies and activities.

Oro Valley Historical Society will observe the spirit of this proclamation by dedicating the month of October to German-American Heritage.

This month’s exhibit will feature prominent German-Americans who contributed to the development of Oro Valley and Tucson.  The exhibit also features the history of German immigration to the United States, German culture and traditions.  We also have a beautiful new addition to OVHS collections.  The Complete Domestic Bible” (published in German) by Hubbard Brothers Publishing in Philadelphia, PA in 1873 is on display.  It was donated to the Society by Steve and Peggy Drennan.  Many thanks to Steve and Peggy for their contribution of this important piece for our German heritage exhibit.

The exhibit is open EVERY Saturday from 9 to Noon at the Pusch House Museum at Historical Steam Pump Ranch (10901 N. Oracle Rd. Oro Valley).

Whether you’re German or not, there’s much to learn about local history with a German twist from this fun and fact-filled exhibit.

The exhibit is free but in order to continue exhibits and activities, OVHS appreciates your $5 donation.

OVHS Celebrates Hispanic-American Heritage

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Arizona is heavily influenced by  Indigenous People and Hispanic roots.  This month the Oro Valley Historical Society is focusing on Hispanic-American Heritage.  See the Hispanic history of the southwest and our area; historical timetable, early settlers, and prominent people.  Learn about Hispanic traditions and culture that are shared in the greater Tucson area.

The exhibit will run on Saturdays in September (from 9 to Noon) at the Pusch House Museum at Steam Pump Ranch Historical Park located at 10901 N. Oracle Road, Oro Valley.  Suggested donation $5

Tootsie’s Steamer Trunk – Beauty revisited

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Check off another item on the OVHS “to do” list.  Collections Chair, Sue Chambasian, had the restoration of Tootsie’s steamer trunk on her wish list.  The trunk was donated to OVHS by Henry G. Zipf, Gertrude’s son.

Thanks to Joe Frannea, a longtime OVHS volunteer and supporter, Sue’s wish came true!  Joe was able to reattach the domed lid to the trunk and then fabricated strapping pieces, handles and other hardware that were in need of repair or replacement.  He also discovered a beautiful embossed design on the top and body of the trunk that had been hidden due to years of being stored. The outcome was more than OVHS ever could have hoped for!  THANK YOU, JOE!

Now about the trunk.  The trunk belonged to Gertrude “Tootsie” Pusch, daughter of George and Mathilda Pusch.   Tootsie definitely didn’t quite fit the mold of a women growing up in the late 1800s/early 1900s.  She was one of the first female students at the U of A and we know that she traveled due to correspondence in our collections.  She was an avid equestrian and could shoot a rifle.  She was even a postmaster!

Find out more about Tootsie and see the trunk restoration in the Pusch Room at the Pusch House Museum at Steam Pump Ranch (10901 N. Oracle, Oro Valley) on Saturdays from 9 to Noon.

OVHS New Program Year!

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Summer’s over and OVHS is BACK! After taking a summer break, Oro Valley Historical Society is ready to welcome visitors to the Pusch House Museum. There are a lot of new things to see! OVHS has installed two permanent displays focusing on the two eras of Steam Pump Ranch history. One room is dedicated to George Pusch (founder of Steam Pump Ranch) and one room is dedicated to the Procter-Leiber era of the ranch. The Great Room will feature our September exhibit focusing on Hispanic-American Heritage. Learn why Arizona is so influenced by Hispanic culture and tradition. Learn who were the early Hispanic settlers in our area. Learn when and how Arizona transitioned from the land of Indigenous Peoples to becoming the 48th State.
Our exhibits are geared to all ages of history lovers and those curious to know more about the roots of Oro Valley and Steam Pump Ranch Historical Park (on the National Register of Historic Places). The Pusch House Museum is located at 10901 North Oracle Rd., Oro Valley (far south end of the ranch). The museum is open on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to Noon. If you are visiting the Farmer’s Market stop at the museum and cool off in the air-conditioning! Suggested donation $5

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

 

 

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

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