celebrating az’s centennial b-day

I know it’s Valentine’s Day, but the much bigger celebration in Arizona is the fact that we’re celebrating 100 years of statehood! The last state to join the continental U.S. is finally 100 years old! Over the weekend, Phoenix held a huge celebration to honor this big statehood milestone: Arizona Best Fest.

It was huge and the people putting it all together really made a huge effort to include all the different aspects of Arizona’s history, everything from an American Indian Village and Hispanic Village to a Military Zone and lots of local beer, wine, and crafts. There were also local food trucks there, fireworks, carnival-type rides for kids, and musical performances. Did you know Michelle Branch was from Sedona? Apparently I was the only one who didn’t know; she performed, too.

It was also pretty awesome to see all the different displays and exhibits the State and City have put up along the newly coined Centennial Way as a way to proudly display AZ’s most dazzling qualities like our scenery and tourism.

A statehood photo adventure:

capitol museum adventure: historical artifacts

Today, we come to the end of our Arizona Capitol Museum adventure. We’ve toured the dome building, focused in on Arizona’s 15 official state symbols, and talked about 6 important groups of people that helped make Arizona what it is today. These were, however, just a few of the more interesting exhibits at the Museum. In fact, there were tons and tons of artifacts going on including a wedding dress given to Arizona from France and part of the U.S.S. Arizona. There was even an entire room devoted to Arizona stamps and replicas of each of the State government’s different offices. This place is totally worth a visit especially since it’s entirely free. If I was a middle school history teacher, this would be the first field trip we take every year!

A historical artifacts photo adventure:

capitol museum adventure: az figures

The past two days, we’ve been on an Arizona Capitol Museum adventure touring the dome building and focusing in on Arizona’s 15 official state symbols. Another rather interesting exhibit (on the third floor) focused in on six different groups of people who helped make Arizona what it is today. Each diverse group marked Arizona’s culture, society, economy, traditions, and laws. Here’s what some of the signs said about each of the six groups:

Mexican miner: Small communities of hard working Mexican miners grew established towns and cities along mineral laden veins.

Cattle Rancher: Vast spaces for cattle grazing enticed ranchers.

Buffalo Soldier: African American Buffalo Soldiers conquered daily perils to pave the way for pioneering families.

Harvey Girl: Along the dusty and uncomfortable westward train route, often the only smiling and bright face belonged to the Harvey Girl.

Suffragist: In early Arizona only men were allowed to vote. In 1912, after years of suffragist campaigning, women were granted voting rights.

Code Talker: Close bonds, bravery, and dedication to a cause inspired Native Americans to join the U.S. effort in World War II.

capitol museum adventure: state symbols

Yesterday, we started our Arizona Capitol Museum adventure by touring the dome building. If you happen to visit the dome building, you’ll find lots of different exhibits focused on different aspects of Arizona’s history. One of the ones I thought was actually the most interesting was a mini exhibit focused on Arizona’s state symbols. Officially, there are 15 (including the Great Seal of Arizona) each representing different aspects of Arizona’s environment, society, and economy. Personally, I thought the two most interesting were the state neckwear, the bola tie, and the state fossil, petrified wood.

A state symbols photo adventure:

capitol museum adventure: dome building

One of the coolest things about the Arizona Capitol just west of Downtown Phx is the Arizona Capitol Museum housed inside what looks like should be a Capitol building due to its dome and angel top. Completed in 1900, the Capitol was designed by a San Antonio Texan named James Riley. The original structure was 184 feet long and 84 feet deep and completely made from Arizona products including granite from the Salt River, tufa (limestone) from Yavapai County, and even Malapai Rock from Camelback Mountain … talk about being Arizona-made!

On the third and fourth (top) floors, you can see a replica of the House of Representatives meeting room and peanut gallery from 1912. Check back tomorrow for more from our Capitol Museum adventure.

A dome building photo adventure: