Nonprofit profile: Maricopa Historical Society

The Maricopa Historical Society began meeting in 2005 as the Maricopa History Committee with the Friends of the Maricopa Library. Thanks to many generous donations from local individuals and businesses, they were able to publish a book by Patricia Brock, “Reflections of a Desert Town, Edition II.” The Society incorporated as a non-profit corporation in 2010.

The Maricopa Historical Society offers several revolving exhibits in the Maricopa Room at the Maricopa Public Library, including Maricopa Wells, Maricopa Train Days, Cotton and Cattle, The Quadrille de Mujeres, Maricopa Schools Everyday Living and Maricopa Characters.

The society not only has a large collection of photos and artifacts, but numerous Arizona history books that include many that are out of print and considered priceless. The Society also has a large collection of video-taped oral histories from its Oral History Project as well as numerous written histories from residents who are no longer with us.

It sponsors a series of events with speakers from the past who come and share their memories and stories of living in Maricopa during earlier days called “Keeping Maricopa’s History Alive.”

Mission
The mission of the Maricopa Historical Society is to inform and inspire all people to make history a part of their lives by presenting exhibits, programs and publications that bring history alive; collecting materials that tell the story of the Maricopa area and its people; educating people of all ages; and creating a sense of identity and community.

Purpose
The primary purpose of this Society is to identify, record, collect, preserve and make available documents and artifacts of historical significance related to the history of the people, places and events of the Maricopa, Arizona area at present and in the future.

The Maricopa Historical Society provides educational and cultural experience to promote the heritage of Maricopa and the surrounding areas at present and in the future.

Goal
The goal of the Maricopa Historical Society is to inspire our citizens to take the historical foundation of the old Maricopa, with its rich diverse heritage, and build upon it with the dynamic energy of the present to create a thread of commonality that fosters a strong sense of identity and community spirit among all of its citizens. We aim to do this through oral and written histories, speakers, exhibits, activities and programs that ignite the imagination and bring history alive for students of all ages.

Events
The Maricopa Historical Society meets 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. on the first Monday of each month at the Maricopa Library. Upcoming events include:
Dec. 1 – Maricopa History Presentation at Maricopa Public Library
Feb. 21 – California Zephyr Tour

Membership
Annual membership is open to anyone interested in Maricopa’s history and preservation.
Family – $25
Individual – $15
Junior Historian (ages 12-16) – $10
Young Historian (younger than 12) – $5

Exhibits
Maricopa Historical Society exhibits are displayed in the main lobby of the library:
Maricopa Public Library
41600 W. Smith-Enke Road
520-568-2926
Open 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday.