Community Calendar

We invite you to volunteer at Riordan Mansion State Historic Park!

The duplex-style Riordan Mansion remains one of the finest examples of American Arts and Crafts-
style architecture open to the public today. Designed by the architect of the impressive El Tovar Hotel
at the Grand Canyon, Charles Whittlesey, the homes were built in 1904 with indoor plumbing, hot
and cold running water, central heat, and electric lights, reflecting the most modern technology and
design of the time.
Seen by guided tour only, the interiors of the Riordan family homes look essentially as they did in 1904.
The homes showcase original family belongings including fine examples of early Stickley furniture.

Volunteer opportunities available include Front Desk, Interpretive Tours, Grounds and Maintenance services.

Help us preserve history, learn and share the story of Flagstaff.

Contact the Park at 928-779-4395 for more information.

In 1912, the inaugural year of Arizona's statehood, the rural Verde Valley was inhabited by ambitious ranchers and farmers who raised cattle, cultivated crops, and nurtured children. This demand for education led the community to "mail-order" a teacher, just as they did for supplies from the Sears catalog.

Elsie Hayes, a college graduate, arrived from a cultured background filled with concerts and literary clubs. Her tiny teacher's cabin in Cornville starkly contrasted with her family’s beautiful home in Long Beach, California. This refined young woman found herself drinking from an irrigation ditch, bathing in Oak Creek, and teaching in a one-room schoolhouse. Initially viewing her students as "common," she soon formed a deep affection for them, leading to a shift in her perspective from feeling superior to developing a genuine admiration for these "backwoods" residents. The wild landscape, once daunting to her, transformed into something “breathtaking and glorious.”

This true narrative is brought to life through Elsie’s century-old journals, photographs, and letters home, which vividly depict a bygone era and provide insight into the early history of Cornville and Williams, Arizona. More than just historical accounts, they reveal a colorful tapestry of adventure, heartache, and a poignant story of lost love.

Get ready to groove all summer long with FREE live music in the heart of Downtown Flagstaff! Discover local musicians, grab a to-go coffee, lunch, or dinner from one of our downtown spots, and enjoy a picnic on the square while soaking in the sounds. It’s the perfect way to unwind, enjoy good food, and support local talent all season!

Join Central Arizona Land Trust to celebrate the launch of the “Birds of a Feather” campaign to raise funds for a ~640-acre conservation easement on the historic Date Creek Ranch, a rare riparian oasis in the high desert in southwestern Yavapai County, where wildlife and happy cows thrive. Meet the Knight Family who operates this ranch and hopes to continue their legacy of land stewardship & responsible ranching.

Local bird enthusiast Eric Moore will give us a birding “tour” of the ranch through a photo compilation of his many trips there. This presentation will be followed by a live ask for your help in making progress toward our $150,000 goal to complete the purchase of this conservation easement.

Heavy appetizers will be provided and adult libations will be available at the cash bar. There will also be a silent auction of unique items and experiences!

Irish Night is a blend of authentic, dreamy melodies, stomping jigs, and reels with world and Latin twists, as traditional fiddler Kate Rose joins forces with masterful multi-genre guitarist Armand Ramirez. Result: an intoxicating fusion and original, deeply rooted musical experience. The icing on the cake: all you dancers out there will love getting down to the fiery sounds, and we will teach simple Irish dance moves and configurations to liven your party. We may even throw in some drinking games or drinking dances. Lovers of Ireland and all things Celtic will connect with poetic interludes and stories from Kate's years in County Clare learning among the fiddling farmers.

Irish Night, a new addition to Charly's legendary musical array, will take place every Thursday, 7-9:30pm in Flagstaff's Weatherford Hotel. It features Wild World Irish Fiddle, a blend of authentic, dreamy melodies, stomping jigs, and reels with world and Latin twists, as traditional fiddler Kate Rose joins forces with masterful multi-genre guitarist Armand Ramirez. Result: an intoxicating fusion and original, deeply rooted musical experience. The icing on the cake: all the dancers out there will love getting down to the fiery sounds, as Kate teaches simple Irish dance moves and configurations to liven your party. There may even be drinking games or drinking dances. Lovers of Ireland and all things Celtic will connect with poetic interludes and stories from Kate's years in County Clare learning among the fiddling farmers. All ages are welcome, the food is tasty, the drinks are as unique as the historical venue itself. facebook.com/KateRoseWildIrishFiddle
wildirishfiddle@gmail.com 928-380-8489

Put on your dancing shoes and come out to the historic Museum Club on Route 66 every Thursday night for a FREE beginner swing dancing lesson! Learn lindy hop, charleston, east coast swing, balboa, and more!
Group lesson begins at 7pm, no partner or experience necessary. Then it’s time to get on the dance floor with some swingin’ hot social dancing to all kinds of jazz and other genres from 8-10pm! See you there!

Stop by the NACA Oak Creek Overlook Vista for beautiful & authentic Native American crafts! Our Artisans can also be found at the Grand Canyon Tusayan Museum!

The Overlook Vista is open daily from 8 AM to 4 PM, depending on the weather. Crafts that can be found at our Artisans' tables include jewelry, ornaments, pottery, sculptures and much more! Check out the Oak Creek Overlook Facebook and Yelp pages for more info and up-to-date hours.

If you have questions or would like general information, please contact Pearl Tsosie at (928) 526-2968 ext.135 or email her at ptsosie@nacainc.org

The Blacksmiths are back and they’ve brought along Oscar and Orion, the Harbinger, the Pitchfork Turtle, and the Sonoran Rustback. They have brought all these and more to The Arboretum at Flagstaff as part of the 14th annual Botanical Blacksmiths exhibit. The Botanical Blacksmiths exhibit began in 2012 as a collaborative effort between The Arboretum and the Arizona Artist Blacksmith Association (AABA) to showcase ironwork created for the garden, to bring visual interest to the gardens early in the season, and to show visitors how art can bring year round beauty to their own gardens. The exhibit quickly became a visitor favorite and this year’s exhibit is no exception. In addition to showcasing a changing exhibit of 26 pieces of art in the garden, there is also an indoor component 20 nature themed pieces displayed in the Visitor Center Gallery. The Botanical Blacksmiths exhibit showcases work by 8 professional blacksmiths and metal artists from the Southwest. Most of the work in the exhibit is for sale and 30% of the proceeds benefit The Arboretum at Flagstaff. The Botanical Blacksmiths exhibit is open now and will be at The Arboretum until September 20 so come on out and enjoy the beauty of the gardens and the garden art.

Every morning, a volunteer naturalist leads a guided nature walk informing visitors about the different life zones of Red Rock State Park. The subjects discussed on this walk may include geology, wildlife, history, archeology, and plant life. The naturalists welcome questions during the walk, enhancing the learning experience. This walk is included with your park entry fee.