By Mick Woodcock
In a newspaper article written shortly after Sharlot Hall's death on April 9, 1943, one of the salient points mentioned was that she had left the town of Prescott a legacy in her museum. It praised her foresight and forethought in establishing her collections when she did. It extolled the virtue in giving her life to the preservation of local history, particularly the Governor's Mansion.
Ten years before her death in 1943, Sharlot wrote her last will and testament. Its contents reveal much about this woman and her quest to preserve Arizona's history. The following quotes are taken directly from her will:
"During the major part of my life, I have been interested in the pioneer life of the Western part of this country, and particularly of the Southwest. I have for years been collecting and preserving objects pertaining to this period, and have been, during recent years, assembling such material and relics in the old Gubernatorial Mansion in Prescott, Arizona. It is my one wish that the work I have begun be carried on after my death, to the end that the old Gubernatorial Mansion may be preserved in its present condition and may become a shrine dedicated to the preservation of the pioneer life and history of Arizona."
"I give, devise, and bequeath all of my estate, both real and personal, including all of my collections, personal property, manuscripts, relics, documents, copyrights, my writings and my notes, and books, of every kind, class, and description, unto my Trustees, hereinafter mentioned, to hold and own in trust, for the following uses and purposes:"
"My Trustees, hereinafter mentioned, are to continue the work I have begun, and to maintain the old Gubernatorial Mansion in as near as possible its present, or an improved state, as they may deem advisable; to collect, classify, and arrange all collections in the Mansion, and to keep up and preserve the contents of the Mansion; with power to build all buildings or structures that may be needful to house the material collected. It is my wish that this collection be used for educational, historical, literary, and civic purposes, to encourage the study of the early life in the Mountain States, and particularly in the Southwest, all for the use and benefit of the citizens of Prescott and Yavapai County, and the State of Arizona."
"It is my further direction that subject to such rules and regulations as my Trustees may deem advisable, the property belonging to and included in this trust, shall be open to the general public, with or without an admission charge, as my Trustees shall deem expedient."
"It is my further direction that in the event there shall be organized under the laws of the State of Arizona, a historical, educational, literary, and civic membership corporation, for the purpose of taking over the work of this trust and as herein set out, and said membership corporation shall be active and financially able to carry out the purposes of this trust, then I authorize my Trustees, hereinafter named, to transfer the title of said trust property to said membership corporation, which shall in turn agree to carry out said trust, the same as if the Trustees had remained in ownership and control;...."
"I appreciate the fact that it will require some money to be provided yearly to carry on this work, and I am placing a burden upon the Trustees I have named herein, or upon their successors, to see that this is provided . I have the utmost faith that the interest in this work which I have created during my life time will continue after my death, and that the people of this community will see to it that means are provided."
After fifty-six years, Sharlot Hall Historical Society and its State of Arizona counterpart, Prescott Historical Society, continue to carry out the stipulations of Sharlot M. Hall's will. The Museum has grown as she wished. History continues to be interpreted as she required and the Governor's Mansion remains the center for interpreting that history.
Mick Woodcock is Registrar at the Sharlot Hall Museum.
Sharlot Hall Museum Photograph Call Number: (po2117p). Reuse only by permission.
By bequeathing all of her "collections, personal property, manuscripts, relics, documents, copyrights, [her] writings and [her] notes, and books of every kind, class, and description," Sharlot M. Hall ensured a legacy for Prescott.