Education

The Historical Society sponsors a Speaker's Series, workshops, newspaper columns, guided museum tours, and educational programs for children. Every year, more than 1,700 patrons and children visit our Museum.

Preservation

The Society maintains and preserves important local historical sites. These include Heritage Hall, which was built in 1927 as the First Presbyterian Church. and is currently used for special events and community programs. The Rebecca Dallis School House (a 1930s-era African-American one-roomschool) is maintained on museum property. We also maintain the Historical Cemetery on S. Peart Road.

Museum

The Historical Society Museum is recognized as one of the best small museums in Arizona. New exhibits are developed annually, as we attempt to provide a comprehensive look at our history, our people, and our heritage. The Museum collection currently contains more than 16,000 artifacts and 22,000 photographs pertaining to Casa Grande Valley history.

Reference, Research, Publishing

Researchers, including government agencies, local businesses, educators and students, use our reference materials every year. The local newspaper consults our archives frequently to supplement its own historical records. In addition, the Historical Society publishes a periodic scholarly journal about local history.

Education/School Tours

Visit schools to explain the history of Casa Grande and the Valley. Serve as the guide for school groups as they expore the Museum. Training is available, as are prepared activities for students of various ages. On the other hand, if you are interested in developing new projects for students, you would certainly be welcome to discuss your ideas with our education director.

Computer Data Entry

The Historical Society owns many items that have not yet been added to our databases. It is vital that this work be done, so that researchers can find the materials they need.

Historical Research

Many people contact the Historical Society for information on various aspects of the community's past. If they can, we encourage them to use our collections to do their own research. If they can't, we try to find the information they seek. We need volunteers who are interested in, and capable of, such research. The Museum collections currently contain more than 16,000 artifacts and 22,000 photographs pertaining to Casa Grande Valley history.

Graphics/Artwork:

As in any museum, we need people who understand graphics, painting, artwork and similar areas of endeavor. They help plan and implement our exhibits, interpretive signs, and the posters and other signs we need for various events.

Fundraising/Special Events

Much of the Museum's funding comes from donors and from activities that raise money. We are always interested in, and grateful for, help from people who are good at these activities. Other ways to help include baking cookies, planning table decorations, acting as host, or in other ways making our events a success--and having fun doing them.

Museum Store

Like most museums, ours depends partly on sale of items about the Museum, and the Casa Grande Valley. We are always looking for people with retail experience, especially if they have knowledge of computerized point-of-sale systems. But of course, we are most willing to train you in the event you are not.

Grant Writing and Processing

No non-profit organization can operate without funds,. and we are no exception. We would be most welcoming of anyone with grant-writing experience, and even more welcoming of someone who knows the museum donation “scene.” However, if you have good writing skills, we would be happy to train you to write grants.

Preservation and Maintenance

Heritage Hall was built in 1927. The Dallis schoolhouse, the former Southside Colored Grammar School, was built in the 1930s. Our barn and our other buildings are not new either. All of these structures need care and preservation. Anyone with an interest in woodworking, carpentry, or other building skills can find all the projects they want here. If you are retired and have kept your professional license as an electrician or plumber, we are even more interested in having you join us.