Photos by Frank X. Moraga / ©2017 AmigosNAZ.com
NASHVILLE — The American Association for State and Local History (AASLH) proudly announces that the Arizona Historical Society is the recipient of an Award of Merit for Todos Unidos: The Hispanic Experience in Flagstaff. The AASLH Leadership in History Awards, now in its 73rd year, is the most prestigious recognition for achievement in the preservation and interpretation of state and local history.
Todos Unidos: The Hispanic Experience in Flagstaff, a temporary exhibit at the Pioneer Museum, recognizes the countless contributions people of Mexican, Spanish, and Basque descent have made to northern Arizona through their labor, their traditions, and their community service. The exhibit explores and documents the history of a population too often excluded or undervalued in the historical narrative. Lead curator, Breann Velasco reached into the community and made connections with local historians from Nuestras Raices, Northern Arizona University’s Cline Library, neighborhood associations and long-time residents to learn what stories were important to Flagstaff’s Hispanic community. As the community shared with us amazing stories of their families’ struggles and triumphs, a powerful narrative of people working together to support each other emerged. We titled the exhibit “Todos Unidos”—everyone united—to reflect this spirit of togetherness. This exhibit merges the past and the present interweaving history with modern issues debated today. Founded by the Territorial Legislature in 1864, the Arizona Historical Society (AHS) is Arizona’s oldest cultural organization. Today the AHS operates museums and research facilities in Flagstaff, Tempe, Tucson, and Yuma.
This year, AASLH is proud to confer forty-four national awards honoring people, projects, exhibits, and publications. The winners represent the best in the field and provide leadership for the future of state and local history. Presentation of the awards will be made at a special banquet during the 2018 AASLH Annual Meeting in Kansas City, Missouri, on Friday, September 28. The banquet is supported by a generous contribution from the History Channel.
The AASLH awards program was initiated in 1945 to establish and encourage standards of excellence in the collection, preservation, and interpretation of state and
local history throughout the United States. The AASLH Leadership in History Awards not only honor significant achievement in the field of state and local history, but also bring public recognition of the opportunities for small and large organizations, institutions, and programs to make contributions in this arena. For more information about the Leadership in History Awards, contact AASLH at 615-320-3203, or go to www.aaslh.org.
The American Association for State and Local History is a not-for-profit professional organization of individuals and institutions working to preserve and promote history. From its headquarters in Nashville, Tennessee, AASLH provides leadership, service, and support for its members who preserve and interpret state and local history in order to make the past more meaningful in American society. AASLH publishes books, technical publications, a quarterly magazine, a monthly newsletter, and maintains numerous affinity groups and committees serving a broad range of constituents across the historical community. The association also sponsors an annual meeting, regional and national training in-person workshops, and online training.