Grand Canyon Historical Society

Welcome Grand Canyon History Enthusiasts!
The Grand Canyon Historical Society celebrates and promotes the study and preservation of the
Grand Canyon region's cultural and natural history for the education and enjoyment of its members and the public.

Help support Grand Canyon Historical Society by becoming a member.
You can join and/or make a donation on our Membership page.

NEWS

New Officers and Board Members

At the GCHS Annual Members Meeting, held virtually on January 11, the 2025 board was seated and new officers selected.

President: Tom Sulpizio
Vice-President: Davy Crockett
Secretary: Mari Carlos
Treasurer: Robert Lauzon

John Hasha
Dave Mortenson
Wayne Ranney
Alan Petersen
Kevin Schindler

GCHS Research Grant in 2024 Awarded to Annie Shirley

The Grand Canyon Historical Society (GCHS) awards grants for support of research involving history, historic or environmental preservation in the Grand Canyon region.

Annie Shirley works as a seasonal Visitor Services Assistant in the Interpretation and Resources Educational Division for the Village District at Grand Canyon National Park. Annie will be transitioning in April into a seasonal Park Ranger position at Desert View District for the summer season.
The GCHS grant would go towards the Interpretation and Resource Education Division's oral history project. This project aims to interview and record the life stories of people who have connections to Grand Canyon National Park, especially people who work here but may be retiring or close to retirement.
The GCHS grant would help pay for the costs associated with recording and preserving oral history interviews, such as paying interviewees for their time and any travel (if applicable). The intention is to conduct interviews with at least 8 to 10 individuals, and copies of audio files and transcripts would be provided to the GCHS.
Congratulations to Annie for this award and most worthy oral history program.

Click Here for More Information on how to apply for future grants

GCHS is on Facebook
Posting historical trivia and information on upcoming events at, or about, Grand Canyon, its pioneers, and our members.

A Resource for Guides
Board member Rich Turner has been making presentations about the GCHS to river guides. Download the new pamphlet he created to promote the Society to the next generation of members. gchs_handout_for_river_guides_-_2024.pdf

Noteworthy

The GCHS has been re-certified as a Tier-2 Affiliate of the Arizona Historical Society for 2024. View the certificate and letter.
Download File

EVENTS

Arizona History Convention
Saturday, April 5, 2025
Tempe History Museum and Library Complex
809 East Southern Avenue, Tempe, Arizona

For details on the convention, please visit the Arizona History website at:
https://arizonahistory.org/2025-call-for-papers

Scenic view looking west from Pima Point to the Colorado River from the Hermit Road. Courtesy of Grand Canyon National Park Museum Collection

"Grand Canyon Then & Now: An Online Photo Exhibit"

Grand Canyon: Then & Now, pairs 70 beautiful and interesting historic photos and artworks with modern photographs from the original vantage point. These pairs and accompanying interpretation tell the broad historical, cultural, and scientific stories that make the Grand Canyon such a beautiful and fascinating place to visit and study. Topics include the spiritual and sacred of the canyon, revolutions in geology and botany, marketing and the growth of tourism, the development of the national park, the explorers and adventurers, and the artists that lead our imaginations.
You can access this resource at this link:www.nps.gov/grca/learn/historyculture/thenandnow.htm.

OUTINGS

Gunnar Widforss, "Pipe Creek, Grand Canyon," 1930, Watercolor, 17 1/2 x 13 1/2 in. (44.5 x 34.3 cm).

Virtual Outing on Zoom
Tuesday, March 11, 2025
6 PM AZ Time/6 PM PDT/7 PM MDT

Alan Petersen will present, "Gunnar Widforss, Master of the Inner Canyon"

Over the past 130 years, Grand Canyon has been the subject of a great number of artworks, the majority of which have been done from the canyon rims. A small number of adventurous artists have worked within the canyon but, until recently, this has been uncommon. Widforss actively pursued inner canyon subjects, often making vigorous hikes to do so, and the quality of his work has set the standard for contemporary artists who view him as their mentor. More...

Virtual Outing on Zoom
Tuesday, April 8, 2025
6 PM AZ Time/6 PM PDT/7 PM MDT

Mike Nelson will present "We Are Going In"
The Story of the 1956 Grand Canyon Midair Collision - Part 3

Mike Nelson will present Part 3 of his talk on the 1956 Grand Canyon Mid-air collision covering the subsequent recovery efforts, the memorials, and the investigation. More...