Arizona Preservation Foundation

A new survey of Arizona residents ranked the downtown districts they most want to see revived: Bisbee’s Main Street/Brewery Gulch area, Winslow’s Historic Second Street, and downtown Globe. The results highlight continued interest in preserving Arizona’s historic downtowns. https://buff.ly/aNRiviy

The Tohono O’odham Nation has sued the federal government over planned border wall construction in southern Arizona, arguing it threatens sacred sites, cultural resources, cross-border family ties, and tribal water supplies on ancestral lands. https://buff.ly/2munPP1

Looking for Juneteenth events across Arizona? The Arizona Black History and Culture Consortium has compiled a comprehensive statewide list of celebrations, educational programs, and activities. The Consortium is a valued partner of the Arizona Preservation Foundation. https://buff.ly/MfY1TbJ

Public concern continues to grow over reports that the 124-year-old Louis Emerson House could be demolished by Arizona State University. Petition signatures are rising as residents voice opposition and urge preservation of one of the few remaining links to Phoenix’s early history ahead of a key June 19 hearing. https://buff.ly/0fSape7

Sign the Petition Save historic Louis Emerson house from demolition!

A $4.62 million preservation project at Tucson’s historic Fort Lowell is complete. State grants and voter-approved bond funding restored the Donaldson House and Commissary, while adding new paths, amenities, and public access improvements. https://buff.ly/q37b7S0

A creative effort is underway to save Flagstaff’s historic El Pueblo Motor Inn, a 1930s Route 66 landmark, by restoring its iconic character and transforming it into affordable housing. Preservation and community revitalization can go hand in hand. https://buff.ly/OMoD3cy

Senate Bill 1118 is scheduled for Third Reading in the Arizona House of Representatives on June 1. This vote represents the final step in the House before the legislation can continue moving through the legislative process. https://apps.azleg.gov/BillStatus/BillOverview/83890

SB1118 is the product of months of collaboration among preservation advocates, neighborhood leaders, local officials, and legislators. Rather than exempting historic districts from Arizona’s Middle Housing law, the bill establishes a balanced approach by ensuring that Middle Housing cannot be constructed on a lot where a designated historic home has been demolished. Property owners may still pursue Middle Housing projects, provided the historic home remains an integral part of the development.

The measure has generated strong public support during its consideration at the Legislature. According to the Arizona Legislature’s Request to Speak (RTS) system, approximately 86 percent of those registering a position on the bill have expressed support. Supporters include residents from communities across the state, the League of Arizona Cities and Towns, municipal representatives from cities such as Phoenix, Mesa, Chandler, Glendale, Tempe, Gilbert, Scottsdale, and Avondale, neighborhood organizations, and preservation advocates.

The breadth of support reflects growing recognition that Arizona can address housing needs while preserving the historic homes and neighborhoods that contribute to community identity, economic vitality, and quality of life.

Supporters who wish to voice their opinion on SB1118 are encouraged to contact their state legislators directly and respectfully share their views. Residents can identify and contact their legislators through the Arizona Legislature website and can continue to monitor the bill’s progress through the Legislature’s online bill tracking system. Citizens are also encouraged to thank lawmakers who have worked to advance this compromise solution. https://www.azleg.gov/findmylegislator/

The outcome of SB1118 will help shape how Arizona balances growth and neighborhood preservation for years to come. As the bill approaches its House vote, preservation advocates encourage supporters to stay engaged and continue sharing their views with lawmakers. Together, supporters of SB1118 are demonstrating that Arizona does not have to choose between housing opportunities and historic preservation. With thoughtful policy, the state can achieve both. For more information, visit https://savehistoricaz.com

Arizona’s landscapes and historic sites helped define the Western film genre. From Monument Valley and Old Tucson to the Mescal Movie Set and Sedona, many iconic locations from films and TV westerns remain open to visitors today. https://buff.ly/jPlyMLW (Photo: KGUN9)

The Arizona State Historic Preservation Office - SHPO and Arizona Preservation Foundation have announced the recipients of the 2026 Governor's Heritage Preservation Honor Awards, recognizing individuals, organizations, and projects that have made outstanding contributions to preserving Arizona's prehistoric, historic, and cultural resources.

Since 1982, the Arizona Preservation Foundation and SHPO, a division of Arizona State Parks & Trails, have partnered to present Arizona's highest preservation honors. The awards celebrate excellence in historic preservation while increasing public awareness of the importance of safeguarding Arizona's diverse heritage

"Historic preservation connects Arizonans to the people, places, and stories that shaped our communities," said Kathryn Leonard, State Historic Preservation Officer. "These award recipients demonstrate how preservation strengthens local identity, enriches our understanding of the past, and ensures that significant cultural resources remain meaningful and accessible for future generations."

The 2026 Governor's Heritage Preservation Honor Award recipients are: The Abuelas Project: Borderlands; David Yubeta; Fort Lowell Commissary, Tucson; Jason M. Nez; L. Ron Hubbard Osborn House, Phoenix; Lehi Auditorium Rehabilitation, Mesa; Lookout Studio Rehabilitation, Grand Canyon National Park; Pranav Raj Vippagunta and Lois A. Valdez, Arizona Heritage Preservation Youth Council; Sprouts House, Tucson; and Tucson Heritage Video Series.

The highest honor presented through the program, the James W. Garrison Heritage Award, will be announced on May 30. Named in honor of former State Historic Preservation Officer James W. Garrison, the award is selected by the Office of Governor Katie Hobbs from among the year's award recipients.

"The Governor's Heritage Preservation Honor Awards recognize the remarkable efforts of volunteers, professionals, nonprofits, government agencies, and community advocates who work tirelessly to preserve Arizona's heritage," said Jim McPherson, President of the Arizona Preservation Foundation Board of Directors. "Their accomplishments demonstrate that preservation is not only about protecting historic places. It is about investing in vibrant communities, education, and Arizona's shared future."

The awards will be presented during a public ceremony on Saturday, May 30, 2026, at the Arizona Baseball Museum, located within the historic 1939 Lehi Auditorium on the Mesa Historical Museum campus, 2345 N. Horne, Mesa. Opened in early 2026, the museum is Arizona's first permanent museum dedicated to the history of baseball in the state. A reception will begin at 5 p.m., followed by the awards ceremony at 6 p.m. RSVP to [email protected]

The U.S. Postal Service has released a new set of Route 66 Forever stamps to mark the highway’s 100th anniversary. The pane features eight iconic sites from along the 2,400-mile route, celebrating the road’s history, heritage, and preservation. https://buff.ly/yNzsRhJ