Four Generations of the Celaya Family |
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To celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, we are featuring four generations of Florence's Celaya family.
We start out with Encarnacion "Chono" Celaya, Sr and Magdalena Celaya. This couple moved to Florence from Cananea, Mexico, in the mid-1800s. During the gold rush, they lived in Venicia, CA, for a period, and then returned to Florence. During the return, Encarnacion "Chono" Celaya, Jr. was born somewhere between Yuma and Wickenburg in February of 1878. Once back in Florence, the family went into the business of moving freight between Florence and Superior. Later, the family ran a livery stable and stage coach service from a station located at 8th and Main.
Chono, Jr. married Tomasa Tellez of Florence. Chono, Jr. spent his life working as a cattleman and farmer in the Florence area. Chono and his wife had a total of nine children, the oldest of which was Francisco Arturo Celaya.
Arturo was born around 1903 and lived in Florence for most of his life. He married Consuelo Encinas and had a total of eleven children. Arturo worked as a truck driver for the city for 14 years and then for the Department of Corrections for another 28 years. The family had a strong work ethic and spent several of their summer "vacations" picking fruit in California. The home the family owned in Florence was built by Arturo over a two-year period. He was known for the expression "It is better to wear out than rust out".
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Arturo's oldest son Frank "Art" Celaya was born in December 1926. He attended Florence High School and then did a few years in the Army in Panama. After the Army, he attended Phoenix College and the University of Arizona, where he earned bachelor's and master's degrees in Education. Art started his career as a social studies teacher at Florence Junior High, and in 1952, he served as the Superintendent of Schools until he retired in 1988. During this period he also served as a baseball and football coach, athletic director, guidance counselor, and principal. After retiring, Art went on to serve two terms with the Arizona State House of Representatives. |
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Caring for our Navajo Rugs |
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Under the leadership of our Collections Manager, Terri Bonesteel, our volunteers ensured the proper care of the vintage Navajo rugs on display in our South Gallery. Volunteers took the rugs off the wall, checked each rug's condition, and prepared them for cleaning. We clean the rugs by using a vacuum with rug attachment and carefully clean both sides. Terri stated the rugs should never be put in the wash, as it would destroy the dyes. Caring for the treasures in our museum would not be possible without the knowledge and support of our volunteers! |
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Lynn Smith and Cathy Adam prepare the vintage Navajo rugs for cleaning. |
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We have a special silent auction for you! Kyle and Justin of Your Behind BBQ are offering a special meal for up to 10 of your friends and family. All proceeds support PCHM, a 501(c)3 nonprofit.
"Cooking with the Pitmasters" will go to the highest bidder by the time we close the auction at 5:00pm on Tuesday, October 31st. If the winning bidder does not claim the prize within 24 hours from when we reach out (via Facebook), then it will be awarded to the next highest bidder.
Bidding Instructions:
• The minimum bid is $500 and bidding increments are $25
• Comment on this post to bid. You must comment on this original post for your bid to be counted.
• You must create a new comment when placing a bid. Any bids that are not in a new comment will not be counted.
• Tip: filter the comments on the item you are interested in by “newest” instead of “most relevant”
If you have any questions, please feel free to message us on Facebook or call us at 520-868-4382.
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Gift Shop Items of the Month: Hispanic Heritage Month |
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Keep us in mind for your gift needs! We are stocking up for the holidays now! For Hispanic Heritage Month, we are highlighting our bilingual kids' books, sugar skull coin purses, Día de Los Muertos candles, and more!
We welcome you to our Gift Shop Tuesday-Saturday from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm.
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3rd Annual Día Los Muertos Celebration |
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The 3rd Annual Día de Los Muertos Celebration in Florence is a day filled with joyful festivities, heartwarming encounters, and transformative experiences. From 2:00 PM to 8:00 PM, Padilla Park will resonate with the echoes of live music courtesy of Mariachi Nueva Era, Guitarra Latina, and the RJ Band. The colorful choreography of Ballet Folklorico Del Sol and Los Pequenos de Florence will transport attendees into the heart of traditional dances. Family friendly, hands-on activities will take place from 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM and live music continues into the evening. Throughout the event, guests of all ages can immerse themselves in the world of Día de Los Muertos through live music and dancing that infuse the spirit of the celebration into their own creative expressions.
Entry to the 3rd Annual Dia de Los Muertos Celebration is free thanks to the support from the Arizona Commission on the Arts and our sponsors, ensuring that everyone in the community can share in this enriching experience.
Performer Schedule:
Los Pequenos de Florence 2:30 p.m. - 2:45 p.m.
Zarco Guerrero's storytelling 2:45 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Mariachi Nueva Era 3:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Ballet Folkorico del Sol 4:00 p.m. - 4: 30 p.m.
Mariachi Nueva Era 4:30 p.m.- 5:00 p.m.
RJ Band 5:00 p.m. - 6:15 p.m.
Guitarra Latinas 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
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September 6, 1932: On this date, the Northern Arizona State Teachers College in Flagstaff made the decision to accept potatoes, eggs, wheat, or anything else edible from students in exchange for room, board, and books. This was during the height of the great depression, and desperate measures were taken to keep the school going. |
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Pinal County Historical Museum
715 South Main Street
Florence, AZ 85132
520-868-4382
WEB: https://www.pchmuseum.org/
EMAIL: pchsmuseum@yahoo.com
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