Changes and happenings at AAMSAZ | |
Display cases, QR Codes for self-guided tours, more students as volunteers (although we need more!), a framed letter from UArizona President Robbins, Facilities Management still helping out, 11 new Oral Histories, collaborating with Tucson Juneteenth Committee President Larry Starks, Bank of America and Dr. Henry Louis Gates’ Film Reels, working to acquire a light box, securing grants to teach kids to swim, summer breaks, and…that’s just this month! | |
Buffalo Soldiers
The Southwest Association of Buffalo Soldiers Inc. (SWABS) attended the 12th Annual Copper City Classic Vintage Base Ball Tournament in Bisbee, AZ. The event and honors recognition took place on April 1st and 2nd at Warren Baseball Park, a historic baseball park. The funds raised from the weekend were donated for the upkeep of the park. The teams played in uniforms and with rules from the 1860s! No gloves, a bounce, and a catch are an out and more! The event organizer, Mike Anderson, invited Executive Director Beverely Elliott to attend. She took along Board Chair, Bob Elliott, to enjoy the festivities. Bob and Beverely were there for the first pitch, a strong pitch by SWABS member, Charles Hancock, while Billie Holloway and other SWABS looked on.
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Photo of Buffalo Soldier Billie Holloway | |
Photo of Carl Lee "Butch" Glass | |
Photo of Jesse Sandoval Flores
Photo by Ron Moody
| Carl Lee "Butch" Glass and Jesse Sandoval Flores were recognized and honored at the 12th Annual Copper City Classic Vintage Base Ball Tournament on April 1 & 2, 2023. | |  |
Honored at the event was Lexington, KY, born (1898) enlisted Buffalo Soldier Carl Lee “Butch” Glass, a veteran of both World Wars and a Negro League pitcher and manager. He was first assigned to the 9th Calvary but was transferred to the 10th Calvary at Fort Huachuca in Cochise County, AZ. Known as “Lefty” in the baseball world, he was the pitcher for Troop L of the US 10th Calvary at Camp Naco in AZ. “Lefty” pitched for 7 seasons with the Negro Leagues for the Memphis Red Sox, Birmingham Black Barons, Kansas City Monarchs, St. Louis Stars, Chicago American Giants, and Louisville Black Caps, along with managing a few teams along the way. He was an associate scout for the Baltimore Orioles and also worked for the federal government's U.S. Army Lexington, KY Signal Depot. Carl Lee Glass passed in Lexington, KY in 1972. | Also honored was a Bisbee alum from 1938, Jesse Sandoval Flores, who was the first Mexican-born major league baseball player and pitcher . | Photo of the Negro League players team | | |
Camp Naco – a cornerstone of the Buffalo Soldier history
While in the area, Beverely and Bob stopped at Camp Naco. Lobo, a SWAB Buffalo Soldier, rode up to check the grounds and gave them a special tour inside the hollowed grounds of Camp Naco. The peace and serenity of a time long gone and the struggles and triumphs were palpable. The camp is very close to the border of Mexico and that, along with other duties, is what the 9th and 10th Calvary were responsible for patrolling.
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Photo and video by AAMSAZ | |
Discover Bisbee, AZ and Camp Naco: PBS Arizona Illustrated Special
Arizona Public Media's Community Events Coordinator, Timna Guerchon, announced that an upcoming episode of PBS Arizona Illustrated will feature stories centered around Bisbee, AZ and Camp Naco. A multi-million grant has been awarded for Camp Naco restoration projects aimed to honor its past and create a community center/history museum. The special episode will air on Sunday, May 7, at 6:30 PM and will be re-aired multiple times throughout the week on PBS 6 and PBS 6 Plus. Don't miss out on the opportunity to learn about Bisbee and Camp Naco's rich history and about exciting plans for their future.
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Interview with Beverely
In a recent interview with ShoutoutArizona, AAMSAZ Executive Director Beverely Elliott highlighted the rich history of African Americans in Southern Arizona and their significant contributions to the community. Learn more at ShoutoutArizona.
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The Mountain View Hotel in Oracle, AZ
In the late 19th century, despite being Black in a region where few were of mixed race, the Neal family was among Tucson's wealthiest self-made families. William "Curly" and Annie Neal opened the Mountain View Hotel in Oracle, AZ in 1895 as a luxury resort for people with tuberculosis and a retreat from Tucson's summer heat. The hotel hosted prominent guests including celebrities and foreign dignitaries, The Neal family's successful business pursuits were widely lauded in newspapers. The Mountain View Hotel was the first luxury resort in Arizona owned by Black entrepreneurs, securing the Neal family's place in the state's history.
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In early April, Garry Davis and his daughter, Amy, led a couple of AAMSAZ members on a tour of the remarkable and more than a century old Mountain View Hotel in Oracle, AZ. The hotel has a fascinating history including hosting famous guests like Buffalo Bill Cody. Currently it is in need of repair, but the hotel’s rich history and potential is nonetheless impressive. As the hotel's current owner, Garry works tirelessly to protect the building from further decay. The Oracle Historical Society expressed interest in helping to preserve the hotel's history and Garry welcomed their assistance.
The structure that now abuts the hotel recently housed a church. Its roof is constructed entirely of double tongue and groove pine planks without insulation or an attic. Prior to the church, the previous occupant made changes to the hotel including removing the original second floor wrap-around porch and adding a layer of stucco to the walls. However, some of the hotel's original red bricks are still visible in certain areas.
Many of the original handrails in the three-story building and the stove are still in place along with the exquisite, indicative of the time, decorated ceilings. The hallway provides a sense of the grandeur and luxury that characterized the space over a century ago. Some of the second-floor rooms once featured stoves and one of the oldest fireplaces in Southern Arizona remains intact in one of the rooms. The basement serves as a roomy storage space. Although the building has cosmetic concerns that need attention, it is structurally sound and has the potential to last another hundred years without major renovations.
The Acadia Ranch building, which now houses the Oracle Historical Society, was also owned by the Neal family from 1914 until 1923. Originally, it was managed as a TB Sanitorium and later as a health resort. The Neal family's contributions to the history of Oracle, AZ were significant as were their connections to Tucson. Annie's parents, Wiley and Hannah Box, were among the earliest African Americans to settle in Tucson.
We extend our gratitude to John, Diane, and the other board members of the Oracle Historical Society and to Garry and Amy from the Mountain View Hotel for the wonderful tours they provided AAMSAZ. They were instrumental in making our visit a memorable and enriching experience.
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A Bench on the UArizona Campus for U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson
Let’s talk about the Women’s Plaza of Honor on the University of Arizona campus. We hope that you have visited, as it is a truly peaceful place. If you have not visited, stop by or visit online at Women's Plaza of Honor and African American Women’s Arch. Did you know that there’s a bench on the Plaza that honors former Supreme Court Justice RBG? AAMSAZ is launching a campaign to have a bench placed on the Women’s Plaza of Honor in tribute to Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, the first African American woman to sit on the U.S. Supreme Court. Most of us know the questions that she was asked and had to endure in order to be confirmed. Please help us raise the $15,000 for the bench in her honor. Any amount helps even if you want to be a sponsor. Please be sure to note that your donation is for the Ketanji Brown Jackson bench.
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Tucson Juneteenth activities for your calendar!
AAMSAZ is supporting the Tucson Juneteenth Festival Committee! You won't want to miss these:
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For the Juneteenth Kickoff Celebration, the Tucson Juneteenth Festival And Still, We Rise! in association with Alive Productions presents Evelyn Champagne King on Saturday, June 10th at 8 pm at the Dunbar Pavilion at 325 West 2nd Street in Tucson, AZ. Tickets available at Eventbrite.com or contact DJ Mista T at 520-282-3566 for more information.
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Celebrate at the first annual Juneteenth Mass Choir of Tucson concert on Sunday, June 11, 3-6 PM. Join in for songs of praise at the gospel jubilee at the Pima College West - Proscenium Theater, 2202 W. Anklam Road. Free food and fellowship from 1- 2:30 pm prior to the concert. Visit TUCSONJUNE19.ORG to sign up to be a vendor or entertainer.
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Join us at the 53rd annual Juneteenth Festival on Saturday, June 17th, from 1:00 pm to 9:00 pm at the Kino Sports Complex! There will be live entertainment, retail booths, job vendors, car show, food, drinks, a kids zone, and free toys.
- Gilbert Parks and Recreation has announced the upcoming Juneteenth Celebration Event in Gilbert, AZ. Austyn Ruppel, the Recreation Specialist for Special Events, shared with us that the event would occur on June 19th from 10 am to 2 pm, both inside and outside the Southeast Regional Library. Please enjoy the day!
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The month of May is...
Mental Health Awareness Month! Every month, please raise your awareness of those living with mental or behavioral health issues and help reduce the stigma many people experience.
Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month! This is the time to remember and celebrate the many contributions and achievements of the AAPI community. There is such vast diversity in the AAPI community. It’s important to give our attention to the concerns and needs of the AAPI community and find long-term ways to support them.
Jewish American Heritage Month! Antisemitism and hate must end. With your help, we can work endlessly to stop it. We aim for a world where nobody suffers from bias, discrimination, or hate.
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Student Voices: UArizona students speak out about social justice and empowerment
Diego Marquez and Morgan Rhett, members of the UA track team, were a part of the Pac-12's Social Justice Experience in Selma & Montgomery, Alabama. They share their powerful insights about the trip and its impact in the video. Diego and Morgan's voices testify to the importance of student engagement and activism in social justice issues. We are incredibly proud of their commitment to creating positive change and promoting inclusivity in our community.
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Let's continue to amplify student voices and work towards a more just and equitable society. With permission from UA Athletic Department | | |
UArizona sophomore wins $59,482 on Wheel of Fortune
Sydney Roberson is a sophomore majoring in Biology UArizona. During College Week on Wheel of Fortune, she won $59,482 and a trip to Aruba. Roberson won by guessing the bonus round puzzle correctly, adding $40,000 to her winnings. Roberson's parents joined her on stage after her win. Roberson, who stated that she had watched the show since she was a kid, said it felt surreal for her to win.
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May is Mental Health Month!
Did you realize that for the first time in 33 years, Passover, Ramadan, and Easter were all celebrated in the same weekend last month? Interreligious councils around the world felt it was a time for everyone to celebrate each other and their new beginnings. The “Opening the Doors of the Church” painting is one of Dr. Ruth Mae McCrane's that is on display at the museum. It depicts a religious revival where people seek healing and support from their community.
Donated by Sterling Vinson
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Blast Off, Dr. Glover!
NASA has announced, along with the Canadian Space Agency, that the Artemis II will go on a 10-day flight test with Pilot Victor Glover at the helm in October 2024. This will be a historic moment as Glover will be the first African American to participate in a Lunar Mission! According to NASA, “The approximately 10-day Artemis II flight test will launch on the agency’s powerful Space Launch System rocket, prove the Orion spacecraft’s life-support systems, and validate the capabilities and techniques needed for humans to live and work in deep space.”
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Jamie Foxx Hospitalized for "medical complication"
Maybe you heard that Actor/Producer/Comedian Jamie Foxx was hospitalized. His “medical complications,” as stated by his daughter, surprised many as she requested privacy and prayers. Jamie was in Atlanta filming, and we will continue to wish him well as he recovers.
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Chanda Khanna/AFP/Getty Images
Read More at CNN
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Social Justice
Published reports show that there is a double standard that Black women have to contend with in the workplace, in or on the court, and at school including experiencing pay inequity, hair discrimination, substandard maternal health care, and more. Let’s take basketball - on the court. Recently Angel Reese of the 2023 NCAA Women's Champions, the LSU Tigers, made a gesture that had people calling her “ghetto” or that she was exhibiting “un-sportsmanlike” behavior when she expressed to Caitlin Clark - the you can’t see me – gesture. Well, in a prior game, Caitlin made the same gesture and even added a few words. However, she was uplifted by some in the press, because she did a little trash-talking. WHAT? Truly a double standard for Black Women!
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Our Legacy Founder Donors | | |
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Thank you, Our Legacy Founder Investors, and Sponsors!
COX, TEP,
Elliott Family Charity, and Zuckerman Family Foundation
for your unwavering support!
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Join our team of volunteers!
Join the effort to preserve African American history and culture in Southern Arizona. AAMSAZ welcomes all except YOUTH volunteers. No matter what your abilities are, we are committed to finding meaningful ways for you to contribute. Please contact us at AAMuseumofSouthernAZ@gmail.com to learn how you can volunteer and for more information on volunteer training sessions.
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We love hearing from you!
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Gifts in any amount are always welcomed. Please use our easy and secure online giving site.
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Do you have a legacy story or an oral history to share? How about an African American or Black collection that you want to donate to AAMSAZ? Let's connect. Please email us and let us know at AAMuseumofSouthernAZ@gmail.com.
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Email us to join the AAMSAZ newsletter email list.
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