Superstition Mountain Museum 2022-23 Season

Dutchman’s

by

The Superstition Mountain Museum rests on the west end of the awe inspiring Superstition Mountain in central Arizona. The area, approximately 35 miles east of Phoenix on the historic Apache Trail (Hw y 88), is full of legends, histor y, and intrigue.

The Museum seeks to provide visitors with an historical contex t of the region: Native American peoples that have populated the Superstitions for centuries (the Salado, the Hohokam, and the Apache); the life of early western settlers (the Spanish, the trappers, the miners, and the cattlemen); and the industries, cattle, citrus, copper, cotton, and climate (tourism) that grew in the mid 1900s from the ingenuit y, hard work, and persistence of those that followed.

Many of our legends were promoted through film and media and attrac t visitors from around the world. One of those legends, that of Jacob Waltz and the Lost Dutchman gold mine, has lured thousands into its web of intrigue.

The idea for establishing a museum devoted to the histor y, legends and lore of the Superstition Mountains had for a

S u p e r s t i t i o n M o u n ta i n H i s t o r i c a l S o c i e t y

long time been in the back the mind of local resident, journalist, and teacher, Tom Kollenborn. He, Larr y Hedrick, Clay Worst, and Ron Lorenz first began discussing the idea in earnest in 1969. The Historical Societ y became a realit y in 1980, and in 1989 the societ y rented a building at Goldfield Ghost Town on the Apache Trail. The Superstition Mountain Museum opened its doors to the public in Januar y 1990. During the following thir teen years, the societ y was able to purchase the site that it sits on today. In 2003 its first building was completed, and the Museum was relocated.

Today, hikers, horseback riders, photographers and tourists come to the Superstitions to enjoy the pleasures, beaut y, and wonder of these fantastic mountains, now preser ved as the Superstition Wilderness Area.

The Arizona Historical Society (AHS) awarded Superstition Mountain Historical Society with their highest honor, the 2020 Al Merito Award. The award was established more than 40 years ago to recognize those who have contributed significantly to preser ving and promoting Arizona histor y.

Photo by Jack Olson

Recently, the ”Elvis Chapel” was repainted and the old steeple was removed and a replica was built. The struc ture was originally par t of the movie set built in Gold Canyon for the 1969 film “Charro” staring Elvis Presley. In the movie, the steeple was intentionally blown up in a pyrotechnical stunt, and later repaired for the Apacheland movie set. Photo by Jack Olson

Those that are curious about the histor y and myster y of this intriguing area visit the Museum, with its central 4,900 square foot exhibit hall and Museum Shop and numerous outdoor struc tures and exhibits. The Apacheland Barn and Elvis Chapel are the last sur viving struc tures from Apacheland Movie Ranch. A 20 stamp gold ore mill, rescued from the mining town of Bland, New Mexico, is now operated for public demonstrations. An outdoor G scale railroad with hundreds of period building models and props tells the railroading histor y of Arizona. A western town center barber shop, jail, and Wells Fargo office complement the many other outdoor exhibits on our 14 acre site.

As the museum continues to grow and flourish it has become a hub of communit y ac tivit y. Each season our schedule is packed with cultural events and ac tivities which include lec tures, classes, and living histor y reenac tments. Local residents and visitors alike enjoy revisiting histor y in the shadow of the might y Superstition Mountains.

The Museum finished an extensive reimagining of its histor y galleries in 2020. The familiar indoor histor y displays were transformed into a retelling of the region’s legends and lore. Photos by Jack Olson

The Superstition Mountain Historical Societ y was awarded an Arizona Humanities grant in September, 2021 to build a public outdoor exhibit of an authentic Apache Wickiup (Apache home) Village.

The village exhibit includes two wickiups, a cooking area and hide dr ying rack. Educational text will introduce visitors to the Apache culture with an emphasis on the Apache home and family.

Superstition Mountain Historical Society board member Ken Duncan, an enrolled member of the S an Carlos Apache Tribe, blessed the land before it was prepared for construc tion. Photo by Jack Olson

The Apache People consider this region’s mountains sacred and the Superstition Mountains are one of four mountains which mark their ancestral territor y. This display experience will enlighten the communit y about their rich culture.

Given the temporar y nature of the original struc tures, most evidence of past village sites exist only as round clearings. But there are ample photographic records provided by photographers in the 1880s through 1910s. To complete the exhibit, a har vest of Red Willow, Yucca, Bear Grass, and Thatch were provided by the San Carlos Apache Tribe.

The Apache Wickiup Village exhibit was made possible by a generous grant from

Apache wickiup photo by Edward Cur tis, 1903.

2023 Free Lecture Series

EVERY THURSDAY AFTERNOON AT 2 P.M.

WELCOME

to the 2023 “Legends and Lore of the Superstitions and More,” our annual free lec ture series which runs ever y Thursday afternoon at 2 p.m. in the outdoor amphitheater during the winter and early spring seasons at our museum.

The Superstition Mountain Museum is run by the Superstition Mountain Historical Societ y (SMHS), a 501 (c)3 non-profit corporation organized in 1980 to collec t and preser ve the histor y, legends and lore of Arizona’s Superstition Mountain area, to suppor t research, education and publications involving the region, and to develop an historical museum and research librar y devoted to these endeavors.

SUGGESTIONS FOR LECTURE ATTENDEES:

• Bring your own lawn chair;

• Don’t forget a hat and sunscreen;

• Please, no smoking;

• Please don’t leave your dog in vehicle;

• Coffee and cookies will be available for pur chase with all of the proceeds going to the museum for continuing educational programs;

• Come early and have lunch on the grounds. Food will be available for purchase.

2023 Free Lecture Series

January 5 - Teton Ken

The Lost Dutchma n a nd His Mine

January 12 - Jodi Akers, Kathy Schuster

Saving the Ap ache Trail

January 19 - Steve Renzi*

Black Cowb oys

January 26 - Yellow Bird Productions

Native America n Storytelling

February 2 Kurt Cavano

Four Peaks Amethyst Mine

February 9 Jesse Feldman

The Dutchma n ’ s Trail

February 16 Beau Yotty

The Modern Cowb oy

February 23 Roger Naylor

Awesome Arizona: 200 Ama zing Facts

Fundraising raffles:

As a self suppor ting organization, we rely on revenue generated by our gift shops, events, and fundraisers. At each week ’s lec ture we hold a 50/50 raffle, with half the cash collec ted going to the lucky winner. Second prize is a lec ture related item from our gift shop. Raffle tickets are priced at 1 for $1, or 6 for $5. Winning tickets are drawn from tickets sold that day. Winner must be present to win.

The season long raffle prize is a solid gold coin minted with gold from the Old Wasp Mine, just up Apache Trail, and includes a certificate of authentic ity. Tickets are $5 each. At the last lecture on March 30, the holder of the winning ticket will be announced The winner need not be present.

March 2 - Jack San Felice

Stage coach Robbery Trail

March 9 - Porfirio Gutierrez

Mexica n Artistry

March 16 - Teton Ken

Arizona: The Rest of the Story

March 23 - Jim Turner*

Writers of the Purp l e Sage

March 30 - Steve Holmquist

A Musical Cel eb ration of Arizona

*Presented by

All Superstition Mountain Museum programs and presentations are subject to change. Visit our website at SuperstitionMountainMuseum.org for the latest infor mation.

Buy a VIP Card:

The Museum’s Free Lec ture Series is ac tually an expensive endeavor. Many staff hours go into have fees attached to their appearance. We have created a special Lec ture Series VIP card for those who would like to suppor t these events. On Thursdays only, from Januar y 5 through March 30, VIP card holders are entitled to 50¢ coffee. Also included is a one time only free hot dog. But wait, there’s more... VIP Cardholders get a 10% discount in the Gift Shop on Thursdays and special shaded seating in the Amphitheater. The cost is $30 per card and it’s available in the Gift Shop.

Presenters

January 5 Teton Ken The Lost D utchman and His Mine

This year ’s annual lec ture about the Old Dutchman Jacob Waltz and his infamous gold mine will be presented by our own Dutchman “look alike in residence,” Teton Ken. Learn just who Jacob Waltz was, where he came from, the fac ts regarding his life and death in Phoenix, and just how the clues (and gold found under his bed) have kindled a flame of interest that has only grown over the years into a mother lode of histor y and myster y. Teton Ken knows his histor y. For many years, Teton Ken has packed gold hunters, hikers and television crews into (and out of ) the Superstition Mountains. He worked at Apacheland Movie Ranch and is an accomplished ac tor. During the winter season,Teton Ken and his animals can be found at the museum on weekends giving burro rides and throwing into the mix a few songs and stories.

January 12 Jodi Akers and Kathy Schuster

S aving the Apache Trail

The Apache Trail has been closed for the past three years because of a rock fall on the most scenic sec tion of the road. The rockfall was the result of more than six inches of rain falling in one day after fire crews ex tinguished the Woodbur y Wildfire, prompting concerns over soil stabilization and continued flooding. The Arizona Depar tment of Transpor tation then closed the road indefinitely without a real explanation. Jodi Akers, a longtime resident and Apache Trail business owner and Kathy Schuster, a par tner in Apache Lake Resor t, will provide details of the ongoing effor t to reopen Apache Trail through to Roosevelt Lake. Count y officials, state representatives and grass roots communit y suppor t and lots of money will be needed to save Apache Trail.

Presenters

January 19 - STeve Renzi

black Cowboys

Western historians estimate that two out of ever y eight cowboys on a cattle drive were black men. They were also miners, soldiers and farmers in the West. After the Civil War, many ex slaves found themselves freed with no place to live or job oppor tunities, so many headed out West. The first cowboys were young men; Anglos, Hispanics and Black freedmen who were hired to help round up rogue longhorn cattle who were run ning wild in the Texas chaparral countr y. This is where the stor y begins. Black men and women were par t of the struggle in the settlement of the American West, but their stor y has largely been forgotten and ig nored. Steve Renzi, a University of Arizona graduate with a degree in histor y, believes that ever y generation must learn about who and what came before them or else the lessons learned are lost. As a writer and photographer with a teacher ’s cer tificate in secondar y education, Renzi is always searching for new ways of exploring our histor y. He has been published in more than 200 magazine and newspaper ar ticles and is currently a writing and photography teacher, as well as a basketball coach.

This presentation was made possible through the Arizona Humanities AZ Speaks Program.

January 26 - Native American Storytelling

Listen and follow the stories of Coyote and other traditional charac ters as they weave scenes of the past. These stories not only paint beautiful settings but blend life lessons with the beaut y that surrounds us. The Museum Ampitheater provides an excellent environment for attendees to immerse themselves in the narratives. This lec ture is scheduled in conjunc tion with our Native American Ar ts Festival on Januar y 27 29. Celebrate the unique spirit of the American Indian this weekend and enjoy the dance, music, ar t and food at the festival.

The Native American Festival is made possible with an Arizona Commission on the Ar ts grant. The Native American Festival hospitality tent is sponsored by Bashas’

Presenters

February 2 - Kurt Cavano

Arizona’s Four Peaks Amethyst Mine

Many people do not realize that there is a working amethyst mine located in the Four Peaks region that can be seen from the museum. Mine owner Kur t Cavano will be sharing the histor y of this mine and his adventures in working it. Kur t is the owner of the Arizona Four Peaks Amethyst Mine. He has been a jewelr y making, stone cutting rockhound for almost 50 years and has owned the mine for the last 15 years. When he is not digging for amethyst in the Four Pea Mountains he has a day job in New York where he ser ves as Founder, Vice Chairman and Chief Strategy Officer of GT Nexus, Inc., a supply chain technology company with over 900 employees in 8 different countries around the world. Featured as one of World Trade Magazine’s 50 most influential people, Kur t is a frequent speaker and writer on topics concerning international trade and global supply chain management. But what he likes to talk about most is the geology and histor y of the Four Peaks Amethyst Mine. He is clearly confused as to what world (mining/jewelr y or software/international trade) he belongs in. He hopes to figure that out soon. For his presentation, he will also be bringing along rock samples and beautiful jewelr y made with amethyst from his mine. For one day only, the jewelr y will be sold at reduced prices (10% off ).

February 9 - Jesse James Feldman

The D utchman’s Trail

Jesse Feldman will recount his experiences traveling the region and his real life encounters with the legend of the Lost Dutchman mine as told in his recent book The Dutchman’s Trail. Feldman relates this stor y through historical documents and unpublished manuscripts, weaving an ex traordinar y tale of treacher y, violence, myster y, and greed in early frontier of Arizona Territor y. As a par tner in the local OK Corral Stables and a private claimant for 6 mining claims Jesse is well known for his appearances on the television series’ Lost Gold (2017), Ice Cold Gold (2013) and Beyond Oak Island (2020).

Presenters

February 16 Beau Yotty The Modern Cowboy

Beau Yott y, Arizona author and resident, will share memories and experiences from his recently published book: Modern Cowboy Quotes and Poems Life and Love in Today ’s World. “From my perspec tive,” he says, “the American cowboy is the ultimate figure. A person who is tough as nails, full of grit, but is also compassionate. Someone who follows the Golden Rule. As Jesus spoke during his Sermon on the Mount, ‘Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.’ The American cowboy is a person that personifies integrit y and respec t, like the charac ters John Wayne played on the silver screen. The American cowboy will fight until the end for what he loves, and for what is right.” Icons of stage and screen provided Beau Yott y with a foundation for effec tive stor ytelling and meaningful dramatic effec t. As an ac tor, he has appeared on net works such as Showtime, A&E, USA Net work and MT V.

February 23 - Roger Naylor Awesome Arizona: 200 Amazing Fac ts

Arizona is rugged and gorgeous and historic and weird and funny and utterly magnificent. It’s full of surprises, not what most people expec t at all. Naylor will pile up the evidence of this during his lec ture at the Museum, drawing from his new book Awesome Arizona: 200 Amazing Fac ts About the Grand Canyon State. He will relay the essence of Arizona from its wild and wooly past to its breathtaking scener y to its star tling geology to its incredible diversit y of cultures and terrain. Arizona is the sunniest state, the state with the most national monuments, and the only state that contains one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. Arizona has ever y life zone found bet ween Mexico and Canada. The world’s largest contiguous ponderosa pine forest spreads across the nor th and the south bristles with an arsenal of the countr y ’s largest cac tus. Trees that once shaded dinosaurs are still here. This is where you can slither through the most famous slot canyon in the Southwest and visit the best preser ved meteor crater on ear th. Arizona saved Route 66. The chimichanga was invented here. Roger Naylor is Arizona's premier travel writer and a member of the Arizona Tourism Hall of Fame. His work appears most weeks in the Arizona Republic. He has also written for The Guardian, USA Today, The Week, Countr y Magazine, Arizona Highways, and dozens more. He is the author of several books including The Amazing Kolb Brothers of Grand Canyon, Boots & Burgers: An Arizona Handbook for Hungr y Hikers, Arizona Kicks on Route 66, and Crazy for the Heat: Arizona Tales of Ghosts, Gumshoes, and Bigfoot.

Presenters

March 2 Jack San Felice

Stagecoach Robber y Trail

Author and Lec turer Jack San Felice will be talking about stagecoach robberies in the Arizona Territor y of the 1800s and beyond. Jack is the author of Superstition Cowboys, Lost El Dorado of Jacob Waltz Arizona's Lost Dutchman Mine and When Silver Was King as well as numerous ar ticles on the Superstitions. Jack is the recipient of the prestigious 2015 Superstition Mountain Treasure Hunter of the Year Award presented by the Superstition Mountain Vic tor y Club of Arizona. Originally from Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, he retired as a Police Captain in Prince George’s Count y Mar yland and Washington, D.C. Jack has a Master ’s Degree from American Universit y in Washington, D.C. Jack San Felice has been an avid hiker, horseback rider, and four-wheeler of the Superstition Mountains and central Arizona for more than 20 years. Jack has been an instruc tor at Scottsdale Communit y College and the Pinal Count y (Apache Junc tion) Communit y College.

March 9 - Porfirio Gutierrez & Others

Mexic an Ar tistr y and Weaving Traditions

Zapotec Master weaver Por firio Gutierrez will discuss Zapotec Weaving Traditions. This lec ture will be an introduc tion to the Museum’s annual three day event “ The Magic of Mexican Ar tistr y ” featuring Mata Or tiz potter y. Also featured will be potter Lila Silveira who will provide her perspec tive on what life is like in Mata Or tiz and the communities surrounding the village. She will share insights into conditions that created an incredible ar t communit y which blossomed in remote Mata Or tiz, Mexico. Because of the uncer taint y concerning pandemic restric tions at the Mexico and Canada borders, lec turers were not confirmed at the time this publication went to press.

March 16 Teton Ken Arizona: The Rest of the Stor y

With a nod to journalist Paul Har vey, Teton Ken will reflec t on Arizona’s past and present. He will weave a fascinating tale punc tuated by his personal obser vations that have been formed along his life’s path as a prospec tor, ac tor, magician, stor yteller, zoophilist and advisor. You won’t want to miss this time with one of the Museum’s treasures.

Presenters

March 23 Jim Turner

Writers of the Purple S age Historian and writer Jim Turner presents the stories and works of five Arizona novelists. Zane Grey spent his honeymoon at the Grand Canyon and went on to be one of the first and most famous Western writers of all time; Harold Bell Wright came to Tucson with lung problems and became a best seller from 1900 to 1930. Universit y of Arizona writing professor Richard Summers wrote Dark Madonna in 1937, capturing Hispanic culture and folklore. Byrd Baylor wrote a delightful and poignant novel with Tohono O'odham charac ters and customs, Yes is Better than No, and Susan Lowell wrote an award winning young adult novel of a young Arizona ranch girl, My Name is Lavina Cumming, based closely on the life of her grandmother. Before retiring from the Arizona Historical Societ y, Jim Turner worked with more than 70 museums across the state. He co authored the 4th grade tex tbook The Arizona Stor y, and his pic torial histor y, Arizona: Celebration of the Grand Canyon State, was a 2012 Southwest Books of the Year selec tion. Jim moved to Tucson in 1951, earned a M.A. in U.S. histor y in 1999, and has been presenting Arizona histor y for more than for t y years. Jim is author of The Might y Colorado from the Glaciers to the Gulf and Four Corners USA: Wonders of the American Southwest.

This presentation was made possible through the Arizona Humanities AZ Speaks Program

March 30 - Steve Holmquist

A Music al Celebration of Arizona

The last presentation this season is a musical per formance. Local celebrit y guitarist/singer/songwriter Steve Holmquist will enter tain listeners with original songs and stories about Arizona. Steve hails from Copper Countr y (Superior, Arizona) and says that he finds inspiration in the deser t, the fascinating and color ful histor y of Arizona, abandoned places, animals, and people. Get ready to be enter tained!

Putting ‘Fun’ in FUNDRAISERS

The Superstition Mountain Museum is still going strong after 40+ years because of the tremendous suppor t from our members, volunteers and our many visitors. All are fascinated by the beaut y, legends, histor y and traditions that define this region. We have some exciting events planned this season that will direc tly benefit the Museum and its plans for the future Please join us!

Beer and Wine Tasting Fundraiser

Museum volunteers will host an annual fundraiser “Sampling at the Superstitions,” on Saturday, Dec. 2, 2022, from 4 p.m. 7 p.m. This is an oppor tunit y to enjoy beer and wine samples, a catered meal, musical enter tainment and histor y against the majestic backdrop of the setting sun on the Superstition Mountain range. Guests can move about the museum and grounds during the event. Reser vations and tickets are required for this event.

Cowboy Day Fundraiser

On Friday, Feb. 17, 2023, from 5 p.m. 7 p.m., the Museum will host an evening of enter tainment, drinks and food with a western cowboy flair. Enjoy a beautiful sunset, catered food and refreshments under the stars. Reser vations and tickets are required for this event.

The Magic of Mexic an Ar t Fundraiser

Native Americ an Ar ts Fundraiser

As a lead in to the Museum’s Native American Ar ts Festival, volunteers will host an evening of music, dance and stor ytelling on Friday, Jan. 27, 2023, from 5 p.m. 7 p.m. Enjoy enter tainment by Tony Duncan, Darrin Yazzie and Aaron White along with food and refreshments under the stars. Reser vations and tickets are required for this event.

On Friday, March 10, 2023, from 5 p.m. 7 p.m., the Museum welcomes sculptor, muralist, stor yteller and per formance ar tist Zarco Guerrero for a Día de los Muer tos (Day of the Dead) presentation. Expec t hilarious and moving tales, with original charac ters including: the poetr y spouting “El Vato Poeta,” the flir tatious “La Comadre,” the clueless “Special Ed,” the wise “El Abuelito,” and other beloved roles that Zarco has created. A mariachi band is also scheduled to add to this celebration of culture. Reser vations and tickets are required for this event.

Working 20-Stamp Ore Mill

Highlighting Our Mining History

The large wooden struc ture on the hill overlooking the museum building is a 100 year old Cossak 20 stamp ore mill, a state - of-the -ar t piece of mining equipment that was used around the turn of the centur y in the West. That it has sur vived, been moved from Bland, New Mexico to Apache Junc tion, restored and is in running condition to stage demonstrations at the museum is amazing. This is all due to the effor ts and dedication of numerous hardworking and dedicated volunteers who have donated untold hours of labor during the last 25 years.

A stamp mill is a large mechanical device used to crush and ex trac t the desired metals from ore the host material. It uses heav y metal stamps to pound and break apar t rock, releasing the valuable metals, allowing for the ex trac tion of gold and silver for fur ther refining.

Not content that one bank of five stamps is operable and the museum’s 20 stamp ore mill is up and running for demonstrations, the current enthusiastic crew of stamp mill volunteers launched another on-site projec t that will fur ther educate museum visitors about early Western mining techniques.

The tireless group went to work building an arrastra, a crudely powered grinding mill comprised of a

circular, rock lined pit in which broken ore is pulverized by stones (attached to a horizontal pole fastened in a central pillar) into a coarse dust. It was used to break down ore bearing rock in order to recover gold or silver. Widely used in the early mining days of the Southwest and Mexico, it was used for hundreds of years and was the predecessor of stamp mills.

Wi t h m o m e nt u m d r i v i n g t h e m e ve r o nwa rd to co n s t ru c t a s t i l l b e t te r m i n i n g ex h i b i t, t h e vo l u nte e r s we nt to wo r k co n s t ru c t i n g a f a c s i m i l e o f a o n e m a n wo r ki n g m i n e o p e rat i o n . Th e f i n a l to u c h wa s b u i l d i n g a m i n i n g o f f i ce ex h i b i t s p a ce w h i c h n ow h o l d s a va r i e t y o f m i n i n g a r t i f a c t s a n d m u c h i n fo r m at i o n a b o u t t h e h i s to r y o f o re m i n i n g.

Several free 20 Stamp ore mill demonstrations are scheduled for this season.

S u p e r s t i t i o n Mo u n ta i n M u s e u m

Saturday, November 5

Desert Safety & Survival Class•Nov 6•9:00 am

Saturday, November 12

Featured Non Profit: Ap ache Junction Pub lic Lib rary Bookmob il e•9:00 am 4:00 pm

Saturday November 19

Museum Season Op ening•9:00 am 4:00 pm

Ap ache Village Dedication•Sat , 10:00 am

Saturday & Sunday, November 26-27

Holi day Boutiqu e•Museum Store Sunday 9:00 am 4:00 pm

Friday, December 2

Samp ling at the Sup erstitions Wine & Beer Fundraiser with Live/Sil ent Auction 5:00 7:00 pm

Saturday, December 3

Desert Safety & Survival Class•9:00 am Noon

Saturday & Sunday Book Sal e•9:00 am 4:00 pm

Saturday & Sunday, December 10-11

Holi day Boutiqu e•9:00 am 4:00 pm

Saturday, December 17

Featured Non Profit: SEEDs for Autism 9:00 am 4:00 pm

Thursday, January 5

Free Le cture with Teton Ken: The Lost Dutchma n a nd His Mine•2:00 pm

Saturday, January 7

Desert Safety & Survival Class•9:00 am Noon

Sup erstition Sp aghetti Dinner Theater 5:00 pm 9:00 pm

Thursday, January 12

Free Le cture with Jodi Akers, Kathy Schuster: Saving the Ap ache Trail•2:00 pm

Saturday & Sunday, January 14-15

Navajo Weaving Class•9:00 am 12:00 pm

Master Gardeners•Sun , 9:00 am 4:00 pm

Thursday, January 19

Free Le cture Steve Renzi*: Black Cowb oys•2:00 pm

Saturday, January 21

Hats on for History•1:00 2:00 pm

Thursday, January 26

Native America n Storytelling featuring members of Yellow Bird Productions•2:00 pm

Friday, Saturday & Sunday, January 27-29

Native America n Arts Festival**•9:00 am 4:00 pm

Friday, January 27

Native America n Festival Fundraiser•5:00 7:00 pm

Thursday, February 2

Free Le cture with Kurt Cava no: Four Peaks Amethyst Mine•2:00 pm

Saturday, February 4

Desert Safety & Survival Class•9:00 am Noon

Saturday & Sunday, February 4-5

Navajo Weaving Class•9:00 am 12:00 pm

Thursday, February 9

Free Le cture with Jesse Feldma n: The Dutchma n ’ s Trail•2:00 pm

s e a s o n s c h e d u l e

Thursday, February 16

Free Le cture with Beau Yotty: The Modern Cowb oy•2:00 pm

Friday, February 17

Western Cowb oy Fundraiser•5:00 pm 7 pm

Saturday, February 18

Western Cowb oy Day•9:00 am 4:00 pm Hats on for History•1:00 2:00 pm

Thursday, February 23

Free Le cture with Roger Naylor: Awesome Arizona: 200 Ama zing Facts•2:00 pm

Thursday, March 2

Free Le cture with Jack Sa n Felice: Stage coach Robbery Trail•2:00 pm

Saturday, March 4

Desert Safety & Survival Class•9:00 am Noon

Thursday, March 9

Free Le cture with Porfirio Gutierrez & Others

Mexica n Artistry a nd Weaving Traditions•2:00 pm

Friday, Saturday & Sunday, March 10-12

The Magic of Mexica n Artistry•9:00 am 4:00 pm

Evening Fundraiser with Artists•Fri , 5:00 pm 7 pm

Thursday, March 16

Free Le cture with Teton Ken: Arizona the Rest of the Story•2:00 pm

Saturday & Sunday, March 18-19

Navajo Weaving Class•9:00 am 12:00 pm Meet the Authors•9:00 am 4:00 pm

Thursday, March 23

Free Le cture with Jim Turner*: Writers of the Purp l e Sage•2:00 pm

Saturday & Sunday, March 25-26

Hats on for History•Sat., 1:00 2:00 pm

Used Book Sal e•9:00 am 4:00 pm

Thursday, March 30

Free Musical Le cture with Steve Holm quist

A Musical Cel eb ration of Arizona•2:00 pm

Saturday & Sunday, April 1-2

Arts & Crafts on the Patio•9:00 am 4:00 pm

Saturday, April 15

Red Dot Sal e•9:00 am 4:00 pm

Sunday, May 14

Mother’s Day Free Admission for Mom a nd Ki ds 9:00 am 4:00 pm

Thursday, May 18

International Museum Day Free Admission for All 9:00 am 4:00 pm

Saturday, May 20

Blu e Star Free Admission Begins for Military Service Members/Families•9:00 am 4:00 pm

Sunday, June 18

Father’s Day Free Admission for Dad a nd Ki ds 9:00 am 4:00 pm

* This presentation was made possible through the Arizona Humanities AZ Speaks Program.

** This event is supported by the Arizona Commission on the Arts

All Superstition Mountain Museum Programs and presentations are subject to change

Aboard

For the SMMRR Model Train Exhib it

Par t of the celebration scheduled for Nov. 19 20, Opening Weekend is the re opening of the Superstition Mountain Museum Rail Road (SMMRR) our “Big Trains” Exhibit located east of the Apacheland Barn on the hillside slope. The museum’s “Big Trains” are t wo to four times the size of those standards of yester year ’s hobbyists’ Lionel and HO model trains, and these larger models run on 45 mm gauge track.

The educational exhibit represents how railroads played a major role in the development of the state of Arizona, par ticularly the copper mining industr y and the other “Cs” upon which Arizona’s economy is built cotton, cattle, climate, and citrus. The trains, buildings and all of the features are historically accurate and almost all of the buildings were handmade.

Several steam locomotives pull rolling stock (currently numbering about 40 pieces) over the

1500 feet of track that runs around the perimeter of the layout, through a tunnel, and over a trestle bridge.

The layout that the trains run through depic ts central Arizona around 1900. The centerpiece is a turn of the centur y mining town named “Dutchman’s Gulch” comprised of approximately 40 replica buildings built to scale, including a mine, and an ore stamp mill. Outside of town, farms and ranches feature cattle, a stock pond, and cotton fields.

Both young and old train enthusiasts visiting the museum can see firsthand the historic trains and learn about the prominent role these trains took in the settlement of the West.

The large G model trains will be run on a regular basis with days and hours to be announced, while the smaller model train set up located adjacent to the barn will be running almost ever y day.

HISTORIC APACHELAND MOVIE RANCH BUILDINGS

While you are touring the museum grounds, don’t miss going into the Elvis Chapel and the Apacheland Barn, t wo buildings that sur vived the devastating 2004 fire and, along with the gallows situated bet ween them, are the last remaining vestiges of the famed Apacheland Movie Ranch. Apacheland Movie Ranch opened in 1959 on Kings Ranch Road in what is now Gold Canyon, with hopes of becoming the “Western Movie Capital of the World.” Although it never did realize its initial goal, it did become a Western movie site hosting the shooting of 17 television series, 29 full length feature films and hundreds of commercials during its histor y.

The Audie Murphy Apacheland Barn

The Elvis Chapel

The “Elvis Chapel” is so named because it was featured in the Elvis Presley movie Charro, the only movie Elvis made in which he didn’t sing. During the movie shoot, a specially made steeple was construc ted and put on the chapel so that it could be blown off during an explosion central to the movie’s plot. Nowadays, the chapel is used by the Apache Junc tion Cowboy Church ser vices on Sundays and is a popular spot for people to rent for wedding ceremonies. Visitors to the chapel love to view the old movie posters and take photos with the life like Elvis statue at the altar.

The large barn on site is also known as the “Audie Murphy Barn” because of a lengthy gun battle that was staged in the barn for the movie Arizona Rangers that starred Audie Murphy. Today, the barn houses memorabilia from Apacheland and old photos, as well as several vintage horse drawn vehicles. Both buildings were generously donated to the Superstition Mountain Historical Societ y by Mr. and Mrs. Ed Birmingham. They were taken apar t, board by board, moved and reconstruc ted to building code on the museum site by volunteers.

Opening Day!

Saturday, November 19, 2022

• 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

The museum will mark the opening of our season with a day of ac tivities on Nov. 19. Bring the whole family out to enjoy the excitement and fun that will include the opening of our newest exhibit: the Apache Wickiup Village. The huge G Scale Model Train Exhibit will be running and a Stamp Mill demonstration is scheduled. Teton Ken and his animal pals will be on hand to enter tain both young and old. Youngsters can learn to pan for gold. Gunfights, staged by the Superstition Mountain Renegades, will be disturbing the peace Saturday. There will be food and snacks available and some special surprises.

Most of the ac tivities are free, but there is an admission fee for entrance to the galler y. The Apache Wickiup Village was made possible with suppor t from AZ Humanities.

The weekends of November 26 27 and December 10 11, will be ver y special Red and Green Holiday Shopping Weekends at the Superstition Mountain Museum. Hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day.

Come and see the beautiful old-fashioned Christmas decorations and get a photo with Santa and Mrs. Claus who will be in the barn both days. Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 26 27, will feature Holiday Boutique Days with dozens of ar tisans on hand to exhibit their work and help shoppers find the per fec t gift. A special free Stamp Mill Demo is scheduled on Saturday.

On Sunday, Nov. 27, the museum will host “Museum Store Sunday,” par ticipating in an international campaign that invites visitors to discover their museum’s gift shop while enjoying discounts. Our museum gift shop will be offering a 25% off discount on all t ypes of jewelr y, including Native American investment qualit y

pieces that make such special gifts. Combined with the savings in sale taxes at the non profit museum, this adds up to significant savings for shoppers. If you miss the first

Holiday Boutique or enjoy last minute shopping, a second Holiday Boutique will be held on Saturday, Dec. 10 and Sunday, Dec. 11. Another Free Stamp Mill Demonstration will be held on Saturday. Bring the family. The model trains will be running and the Apacheland Barn and the Chapel are loaded with decorations. Photo oppor tunities abound! Bring a toy or cans of dog and cat food for our Christmas drive benefitting the Apache Junc tion Paws and Claws Care Center.

Festival

Western Cowboy Day

The Magic ofMexican Artistry

A.M. - 4 P.M.

ALL THREE DAYS

The days when Mexican folk ar ts equated with border shop trinkets in people’s minds are long past. Today, Mexican ar tisans occupy a place with some of the finest in the world. These individuals create unique potter y that is considered to be among the world’s best; weave beautiful tapestries utilizing traditional materials and natural dyes; meticulously car ve and paint intricate wooden fantasy animals; and fashion unique silver filigree jewelr y.

Guardians of age old folk traditions passed down from generation to generation, these devoted indigenous ar tisans some of them tucked away in remote villages of Mexico often dedicate days or weeks to creating one exquisitely crafted piece.

The museum is once again hosting the best of these ar tisans. Some of them will be returning, some are new to this year ’s event. Be sure and join us at this year ’s annual three day Mexican Ar tistr y celebration. Visitors will be able to obser ve, and converse with the ar tists as they work. Finished works will be on display and for sale. Admission to the event and parking are free.

Classes at the Museum

Deser t S afety and S ur vival

Registration required in advance

Cost: $30 per person (group rates available)

9 a.m. - Noon • Class dates:

Sat., Oc t. 1, 2022 Sat., Nov. 5, 2022 Sat., Dec. 3, 2022

Sat., Jan. 7, 2023 Sat., Feb. 4, 2023 Sat., Mar. 4, 2023

Hiking or camping in the Sonoran Deser t is an amaz ing experience, but it can turn deadly if you are not prepared. In this special class, Former Green Beret Sergeant and Sur vival Instruc tor John Jay Pelletier will teach you impor tant tips about sur viving in just about any situation. Learn what John Jay packs in his backpack. Class fee includes a special sur vival kit for your backpack and a copy of John Jay ’s sur vival booklet. Students may want to bring hats, cushions or lounge chairs and plent y of water as the class is taught in the museum amphitheater. Ask John about his new book.

Master Gardeners Demonstrations

On Sunday, Jan. 15, 2023 from 9 a.m. 4 p.m., Super stition Mountain Master Gardeners will lead talks and a small terrarium planting demonstration for visitors. No registration is required and there are no costs to par ticipate.

Navajo Weaving with Nanabah Aragon

Registration required in advance, limited to 5 Cost: $160 per person. Fee includes loom and hand tools. Students should bring t wo to three skeins of wool yarn in their choice of colors.

9 a.m. 12 p.m. • Class dates: Sat. Sun., Jan. 14 15 Sat. Sun., Feb. 4 5

Sat. Sun., Mar. 18 19

Navajo Master Weavers produce some of the most beautiful tex tile creations in the world. One of them, Nanabah Aragon, is a traditional Dine (Navajo) weaver who was declared a “living treasure” by the State of Arizona. Her weavings have been on display at the Heard and Smithsonian museums.

This famous weaver will be offering t wo day Navajo Weaving Workshops at the museum during the season. She will be teaching students the basics of Navajo weaving as they create their own sample and learn the techniques passed on from Nanabah’s mother and grandmother.

Students must register at the museum for these classes and payment is due with registration. For more information, go to superstitionmountainmuseum.org.

Rentals at the Museum

Visitors to the museum often inquire whether our museum facilities are available for rental to groups or individuals who are hosting special events. The answer is yes, and we are happy to invite you to explore the oppor tunities to host your wedding, reception, corporate gathering, family event or memorial ser vice in the midst of the beautiful Sonoran Desert beneath the breathtaking splendor of the Superstition Mountains.

Venues:

The Elvis Chapel, acquired from the famous Apacheland Movie Ranch, offers the per fec t setting for weddings par ties of up to 75 guests. The nave holds 12 rows of pews, each seating 6 8 guests comfor tably. The altar area is adequate for a small wedding par t y, the officiant, and, of course, the celebrants. There is a bridal room, bathroom, and groom's room at the back of the chapel building.

The Audie Murphy Barn, also acquired from Apacheland, is available as a venue for professional and commercial photography only. Visitors are welcome to take photographs but any photos used for publication must be approved by museum management and there is a fee for professional use.

The Amphitheater is a large, level area, decoratively lit, with a podium, PA system, and elec tricit y often used for weddings and small receptions, lec tures, classes, and small par ties.

The Museum Grounds cover 14 acres of theme buildings, Apacheland Movie Set memorabilia, mining machiner y (including a centur y old 20 stamp ore mill), walking trails, and gorgeous views of the Superstition Mountains.

The Burial Repositor y is located at the highest point on the proper t y and in full view of the Superstition Mountain. It offers a per fec t resting place for those who have a special love of the Superstition region. There is no fee for the use of the repositor y, but donations are accepted.

Summers at the Museum

Just because it’s hot, it doesn’t mean that things close down at the museum. We are open year ’round and although the pace slows down in the summer, there are still ac tivities going on.

Free Blue Star Admission to Militar y Families

Each summer, there is free admission to militar y families. Superstition Mountain Museum is proud to be a Blue Star Memorial Museum, and as such, joins other museums in offering free admission to ac tive dut y militar y personnel and their spouses and children each summer.

This gesture is a “thank you” to our militar y personnel and their families for their ser vice and sacrifice. It also affords militar y families a way to spend qualit y time together without worr ying about the budget.

The free admission offer begins on Armed Forces Day and lasts through Labor Day.

Visit the National Endowment of the Ar ts (NEA) website for information and a list of other museums who par ticipate each summer. The museums cover a broad range of ar t, histor y, science and cultural topics, .

Free Admission for Moms, Dads and Kids

What better way to spend Mother ’s Day (May 14, 2023) or Father ’s Day (June 18, 2023) than going on an excursion with the family to the Superstition Mountain Museum, par ticularly when the cost is so reasonable? In an annual tradition, the museum offers free admission to the museum exhibit galler y to all moms on Mother ’s Day and to dads on Father ’s Day. Children under 10 get in free with an adult, so prac tically the whole family can view the galler y exhibits for free. Get some classic family photos and make some priceless family memories.

Thank You Volunteers

This museum could not exist without the generous effor ts of more than 200 volunteers who keep it going day in and day out, with energy, humor, and a deep love for this area and its histor y.

Ever yone associated with the museum realizes that without the countless hours of labor donated by our loyal museum volunteers, the museum could not sur vive, par ticularly with the number of activities and visitors increasing ever y year. The scope of the effor ts of our volunteers is unbelievably wide and incredibly diverse. And these effor ts of each and ever y volunteer are appreciated beyond measure.

The Superstition Mountain Museum is always ac tively recruiting volunteers. Both full time residents of the communit y and winter volunteers are being encouraged to see how much fun it is to join an enthusiastic, friendly group of people who love histor y and the area they live in. Volunteers are only asked to work a minimum of four hours per week. We tr y our best to accommodate your schedule. Positions

available include gift shop or general store cashier; docent in the Museum Galler y, Elvis Chapel, and Apacheland Movie Ranch Barn; or engage with visitors in the 1800s era western town. Dressing up in period clothing is encouraged, but not required.

The Museum also welcomes train enthusiasts! Volunteers assist with the amazing G-scale Model Train Exhibit that depic ts the histor y of railroads in Arizona.

Maybe you are interested in the area’s rich mining histor y. You can help operate the 20 Stamp Ore Mill.

Superstition Mountain Museum also needs knowledgeable greeters who welcome visitors and answer all kinds of questions. Grounds Crew volunteers are needed to help with setting up small tents and tables for Special Events and Ar tisan/Craft Shows.

Anyone interested in volunteer oppor tunities can call the museum at (480) 983-4888 or visit the Gift Shop to pick up a shor t application.

Museum Gift Shop

We encourage you to visit and browse our recently renovated Gift Shop located in the main museum building. You will find a wide array of distinc tive and unique items ranging from exclusive custom made souvenirs to handmade Native American ar t, including exquisite “investment quality ” Native American jewelr y and beautiful handmade potter y. Rockhounds will find rock and mineral samples and custom jewelr y made from amethysts mined from Arizona’s only amethyst mine. In addition, featured in our Gif Shop is one of the finest selec tion of books in the Valley on a wide variet y of Western, Southwest and local historical topics, including, of course, books on the Superstition Mountains and Jacob Waltz and the Lost Dutchman Mine. If hiking is your

interest, the shop also carries trail maps of the Superstition Wilderness Area and other hiking locales. Guides to Arizona flora and fauna well as rock hounding and identifiers. Cookbook collectors will love our wide selection of Western, Southwestern and ocal cookbooks. Remember, when purchasing any item from our museum gift shop, we are a nonprofit so we don’t charge sales tax. Proceeds from the Gift Shop sales suppor t the Superstition Mountain Museum. * Tip: Save 10% by purchasing a Museum Membership which also allows you other privileges including free museum admission and more.