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November 9, 2023

Attention Members!

Celebrate our outdoor exhibit upgrades on November 11th! Because of the generous support from the Gila River Indian Community and our sponsors, we were able to add ADA-accessible ramps and pathways and interpretive signage to bring Pinal County's farming, ranching, and mining stories to life. Beginning at 10:00 a.m. is our Members Preview with refreshments, behind the scenes exhibit story, and Members receive an additional 5% discount on all gift shop purchases. Stock up on your holiday shopping! The Public Grand Opening occurs from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm, featuring cotton and farm animals kids' activities.

Junior Parada 91st Year!

2023 marks Florence's 91st Annual Junior Parada, the oldest youth rodeo in the nation for boys and girls aged 4-18. Young contestants compete in activities, including calf roping, barrel racing, goat tying, and more. Saturday morning of the Parada includes a parade on Historic Main Street followed by rodeo activities at the Charles Whitlow Rodeo Grounds.  The Junior Parada was created during the Great Depression as a way to raise milk money for children. The Parada continued to grow, which led to an annual rodeo for children ages 4 to 18. This rodeo helped Florence become the “Cowboy Cradle of the Great Southwest” because many young rodeo contestants went on to receive national recognition.  Celebrate one of Florence's traditions by participating in the rodeo festivities November 24-26. Stop by the museum to see our Junior Parada exhibit to discover more parada stories.

The 2006 Junior Parada Parade. Join in on this year's parade fun on November 25th at 10:00 am.

Victorian Christmas Party

This year, as we look back on our dedication to preserving the history of Pinal County, we are delighted to host a celebration that encapsulates the essence of our community - great food, heartfelt conversations, and soul-stirring music in a historic setting. The Windmill Winery Barn, located at 1140 W Butte Ave., Florence AZ, will be the backdrop for our nostalgic gathering on December 13, 2023. Highlights of the Evening: •        Enjoy an exquisite plated prime rib dinner, generously provided by our friends at Texas Roadhouse. •        Participate in a silent auction and raffle. •        Elfin Eddy will enchant your evening. •        A special visit from Santa Claus himself. •        The music of local favorites, 10th and Main, will keep you dancing throughout the night.   Ticket Information: •        Individual Tickets: $45 (Non-members) / $40 (Members) •        Tickets for Two: $85 (Non-members) / $75 (Members) •        Table for Eight: $400 (Non-members) / $350 (Members) - Reserve a table with your individual or company's name. To ensure your spot at this celebration, please RSVP by December 6, 2023. Click here to get tickets!

Gift Shop Items of the Month

Celebrate Florence's western roots with cowboy swag for the kids, coin pouches, Casa de Baca Studios calendar, and more. Keep us in mind for your holiday gift needs! We welcome you to our Gift Shop Tuesday-Saturday from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm.

November 7, 1916: On this date, an election was held, with Gov. George Hunt running against Thomas Campbell. Initial results showed that Campbell won by 30 votes, but the election was complicated by how votes were counted. On January 1, 1917, Campbell was sworn in, but Hunt refused to leave office. The State Supreme Court ruled that Campbell should serve as the de facto Governor until the legal issues were resolved, and so Hunt stepped down on the 27th. By December 22, the court ruled that Hunt had won by 43 votes, and Hunt was sworn in on Christmas day.

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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 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pchsmuseum1

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