Since its inception in 1984, the Sharlot Hall Award has recognized and honored the valuable contributions of living Arizona women.  Named after Sharlot Mabridth Hall, the first woman to hold public office in the territory and namesake of the Museum, this prestigious award celebrates those who have dedicated themselves to preserving and promoting the history and heritage of Arizona

by Kristen Kauffman

Albuquerque calls it their Twinkle Light Parade. Sacramento calls it their Holiday Parade of Lights. St. George has a Christmas Light Parade, and Tacoma has an Electrical Light Parade. Many cities all over the country have Christmas parades at night, including the APS Electric Light Parade held in Phoenix every year since the late ‘80s.

by Worcester P. Bong During the U.S. Civil War, the Union Army expanded its reach to the west. The Union’s goal—finding resources to finance their war effort. The establishment of the Arizona Territory, carved out of the New Mexico Territory, cleared the way to explore for precious metals, especially gold.

By Marjory J. Sente

Isabella Greenway arrived in Arizona in 1922 and became so well known that she would be called “Arizona’s Sweetheart.” In 1928 Isabella was named the Democrats’ National Committeewoman for Arizona and worked to elect Alfred E. Smith as president. However, all but three counties voted for Herbert Hoover. Four years later, she still held the position. It took on greater significance when FDR, husband of her good friend Eleanor, decided to seek the  nomination for president. After a hard- fought battle, FDR received the party’s nod, and Isabella gave one of the seconding speeches at the Democrats’ Convention.

By Bradley G. Courtney

On Friday, December 20, 1935, the Prescott Evening Courier published a report entitled, “Unusual Rug Shown In Downtown Window.” The window belonged to the Bashford-Burmister company on Gurley Street. The rug’s braider was described as “an unusual old lady” living in the Arizona Pioneers’ Home. The 86-year-old was “stone cold deaf and still suffering from the effects of the sting of the vinegarroon (a large whip scorpion).” The rug was oval-shaped, approximately 2082 square inches, and fashioned “with her throbbing foot perched on a pillow on her bed.” The rug was impressive: “So clever is the artistry of the rug—an art belonging to an older generation and just about passing out—it is more than passing interest.”

By Darlene Wilson

Nestled in the heart of Prescott, Arizona, the Hotel Vendome is rich in history, charm and an air of mystery. It was built in 1917 by Texas cowboy turned Arizona rancher, John “Jack” Benton Jones,  who bought a house and adjoining lot on South Cortez Street and quickly began building his small hotel. As more people moved to Prescott, including miners, they needed a place to stay. When construction was completed, the hotel had 30 rooms and 16 bathrooms. It is unclear where a Texas rancher got the name Hotel Vendome. However, there happens to be a famous octagonal square named the Place Vendôme in Paris, France.

F. Ruth “Ruthie” (Jordan) Jackson Van Epps (b. 1934 - d. 2024) is a descendant of the Arizona pioneer Jordan family and ranch of Sedona, Arizona and Verde Valley area.  For 70+ years she has been sharing Arizona’s story, especially as it aligns with her personal story.  Her parents, Walter and Ruth (Woolf) Jordan, settled in Arizona’s Verde Valley area.  Walter came from a farming and ranching family and Ruth's family settled in Tempe. 

Independent historian Susan Deaver Olberding loves northern Arizona history. For over three decades, she has been telling the stories of the area while ensuring the preservation of buildings that illustrate and document a past that could easily be overlooked and destroyed. She continues to write, present, interpret and promote the regions' magnificent history. She merits recognition from the Sharlot Hall Award committee for her many contributions to Arizona history.

Joan Faye Meacham of Rio Verde, Arizona, has been chosen as the 2020 Sharlot Hall Award Honoree. For over 33 years, Joan has worked for the preservation of women’s history on statewide and national levels and founded the Arizona Women’s Heritage Trail. Joan enjoyed a successful career on the East Coast before becoming involved in women’s issues. She gleaned much inspiration from suffragist Alice Stokes Paul: “I realized for the first time that there was an incredible history of women in the United States that I and so many other women outside of academia knew nothing about.”

By Parker Anderson

Prescott’s longest-operating community theater, Suze’s Prescott Center for the Arts, closed at the end of September of 2024 after 55 years of operation and of bringing the joy of live theater to Prescott area communities. The organization was founded as the Prescott Fine Arts Association (PFAA) but underwent two name changes in later years. Since the Center is now gone, it seems fitting to recall how this cornerstone of the arts community began.