Cave Creek Museum
6140 E. Skyline Drive
Cave Creek, AZ 85331 (Physical Address)
P.O.Box 1, Cave Creek, AZ 85327 (Mailing Address) .
Feature Article:
Seeing the World in a New Way By Shea Stanfield
From January 24 until May 31, the photography of Jerry Sieve will be showcased in the Ansabaugh Auditorium. Jerry's quest is to bring the other side of the lens into meaning and purpose for the viewer.
Growing up in Cincinnati, Ohio, he began pilgrimages to Arizona in the 1960s. Jerry was captivated by the surreal landscapes and the continuous dance of shadow and light. This fascination influenced Jerry's signature style as a professional photographer.
Jerry relocated to Arizona in 1974, enrolling in Glendale Community College to study photography under well-known and highly acclaimed photographer Willis "Pete" Peterson. By December 1977, Jerry was a published photographer in that month's Arizona Highways magazine, the beginning of his long professional association with the magazine. Jerry has over 3,000 images published, 600 in Arizona Highways alone, with 11 covers.
Jerry's evolution from a photography student to an award-winning professional photographer came with a relentless drive to create meaningful and inspiring images. Philosophically Jerry thinks aesthetic vision evolves; looking back over a 40+ year career; he can identify the periods when his style and vision made particular shifts. Ultimately, the goal was to show the immense beauty of the natural world.
Jerry's decision to teach photography at Paradise Valley Community College for the last twelve years has provided time for him to consider other aspects of making images, moving away from his signature landscapes into images including people, objects, and symbolic statements. He also transitioned from color to monochromatic images. Jerry feels it's easier to be expressive in black and white; the image becomes about negative/positive space and the creation of shapes using the contrast of shadow and light. This process has brought us full circle within the concept of 'less is more.' His two published portfolios offer a stunning collection of Jerry's images.
Top Photo: "Delicate Arch," Arches National Park - Winter Bottom Photo: "Pathway to the Spirit World," Kiva, Mesa Verde National Park Photo Credit: Jerry Sieve
Cave Creek Museum Presents
CAVE CREEK MUSEUM PRESENTS:
On Saturday, January 21st, from 2:00 pm to 3:30 pm THE BOULDERS AT THE BOULDERS AREN’T REALLY BOULDERS
Are the Boulders at the BOULDERS really Boulders? Why is Black Mountain black—and why do saguaro mostly grow on the west slope? Learn about the origins of these wonders of our area with the Museum’s own Stephanie Bradley, who will bring area geology to life in the Historic Church. Reservations required.
RESERVATIONS STRONGLY RECOMMENDED. Members: Free
Non-members: Program free with Admission ticket (No Culture Passes)
Click HERE for more info.
~
Antique Appraisal Day
Who knows what treasure lies within? On Saturday, January 28, from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm,
find out from professional antique appraiser Sean Morton!
Sean has a remarkable knowledge of the history and value of antiques, from readily recognizable to obscure. Receive anecdotal assessments of your valuables. Donation: $20 per item, first come, first served. Click HERE for more info and to reserve.
January Events
* Jan 14 (Sat 10:00 -11:15am):AZ GOLD MINING EXPERIENCE - ClickHEREfor info & tickets. (reservations required) *Jan 15 (Sun 2:00pm - 4:00pm): Kiwanis Family Fun Days - "Wild at Heart Visits the Cave Creek Museum" InfoHERE.(reservations required) * Jan 21 (Sat 10:00 -11:15am): AZ GOLD MINING EXPERIENCE - ClickHEREfor info & tickets. (reservations required) *Jan 21 (Sun 2:00pm - 3:30pm): Cave Creek Museum Presents - "The Boulders at the BOULDERS aren't really Boulders" InfoHERE.(reservations required) *Jan 28 (Sun 9:00am - 4:30pm): Antique Appraisal Fair with Sean Morton - More infoHERE.(First come, First served)
Click HERE for additional information and more
Cave Creek Museum events.
History
The Cave Creek Gold Rush By Kraig Nelson, Cave Creek Museum historian
America’s first gold rush started in North Carolina in 1803 when a large gold nugget (at least 17 pounds) was found on the property of John Reed. The Reed Gold Mine was the top producing gold mine in America until January 24, 1848, when gold was discovered at Sutter’s Mill in California. Closer to home, in 1874, the Cave Creek Gold Rush populated the surrounding mountains and streams with fortune seekers.
William Rowe, a middle-aged rancher with a wife and children, operated a Station (a place for respite and supplies) on the north side of the Salt River near future Mesa. Rowe felt secure since the Fort McDowell Cavalry patrolled the area as it was an important river crossing.
Once Phoenix was officially recognized in 1868, with original east/west boundaries between today’s Seventh Avenue and Seventh Street, a closer river crossing was established. Rowe’s property was left unprotected because the Cavalry patrols focused on the new river crossing. The Tonto Apaches and the Yavapai took advantage of the change and started killing and stealing Rowe’s livestock. Rowe closed his Station and his ranching endeavors became tenuous. He needed income to support his family. He went to Cave Creek in search of gold.
Rowe started mining on Continental Mountain but soon moved further east to an area which would later be known as Desert Mountain Golf Community. He was hiking over a thumb-shaped butte when he discovered a rich gold deposit. Francis C. Carlson, the late Cave Creek historian, called it “beginner’s luck.” The Arizona Weekly Miner (Prescott) reported this discovery on October 23, 1874. Rowe named his mine the Lion Mine; the butte became known as Gold Hill. Carlson states, “Tales of Rowe’s rich mine and the resulting booming camp on Gold Hill drew other prospectors to Cave Creek. Soon makeshift camps sprouted on every hillside and placer [stream/panning] mines lined every promising wash.”
In 1877 Rowe was involved in an altercation with an armed fellow who shot William Rowe dead, as reported June 3, 1877, by the same Prescott newspaper that touted his gold discovery earlier. Rowe’s son Frank worked the mine until 1882, when he sold it.
Rowe Wash, which meanders through Cave Creek, is named for William Rowe.
~ In Memoriam ~
The museum has lost a dear friend with the passing of Tom Dooley on
December 15. He was an integral part of the Dream Team and brought patience and caring to every aspect of his work. Tom introduced Boy Scouts to young men in Cave Creek Pack 603. His smile and warmth will be missed.
Cards may be sent to Mitzi Dooley, 29506 N. 59th St., Cave Creek, AZ 85331
Letter from the Board President:
Let’s start 2023 off by celebrating! While January starts the year off, for the Museum it’s the middle of the season, which runs from October through May. I think this is an excellent time to share some highlights from our first half of the season.
We announced the Veterans’ Memorial Garden (VMG) on Veterans’ Day 2022 with American Legion #34, the Black Mountain Chapter of DAR, as well as other pivotal members of our community who are partnering with the Museum. A webpage under development will soon give details on the project, its progress, those giving their time and talents to make it happen, and give you an opportunity to support VMG with financial or in-kind donations. Click HERE to view the VMG webpage.
Our efforts to restore and preserve the Gazebo are ongoing; we will make this happen!
The Museum is creating a Strategic Plan, which will serve as a roadmap for our future over the next three years. The Plan is created with input from membership and community solicited through interviews, focus groups, and surveys and overseen by a strong committee. We anticipate completion by the end of February 2023. Details will be published on CCM’s website.
Many thanks to Cactus Shadows High School Girls’ Cross Country Team, who chose the Museum as their partnering non-profit for which to volunteer. These young ladies set the bar for being smart, responsible, helpful, and so nice and polite. We are honored to work with them.
Other exciting projects are in the works, including a collaboration with Desert Mountain, and designing new and fun ways to serve a somewhat underserved demographic. Stay tuned for updates and more exciting plans.
Do you want to be part of our dynamic, energized Cave Creek Museum? We accept new volunteers year-round and are seeking applications for our 2023-2024 Board of Directors. Preserving Cave Creek’s history makes our Town’s future better! Be part of it.
The Museum’s accomplishments and successes are due to hard-working staff, dedicated Board, devoted volunteers, and the love and support of our wonderful membership and community. Please attend our programs, shop our Store, and become or continue as a member. That’s what keeps our doors open and our spirits motivated.
Happy New Year! May it be a happy, healthy, and fulfilling 2023 for all of us!
Darlene Southern, Board President
Letter from the Desk of Evelyn Johnson:
In my December letter, I talked about the critical role our volunteers play. Continuing with that theme, let’s laud Marketing and PR. We could plan and execute all manner of activities but without our Marketing and PR team, how would anyone know to attend? We are thankful for their energy, talent, and success.
The Museum has been taken to a whole new level of public awareness with social media, TV, radio, the newsletters and e-newsletters, and Mailchimp. Events are added to our website as soon as the details are available. In some cases, we work six to nine months out to provide information to publications that might promote our events. Mostly, we promote 60 to 90 days before an event to encourage attendance.
You might ask what on earth is Mailchimp. This ‘marketing platform’ is how we deliver current news directly to your email. One will find us on social media platforms including Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. We also have a presence on ‘All Events’ and in several e-publications.
Lots of coordination is required for everyone to receive the same information to distribute. The results show in the attendance at our programs and events, as well as in the numbers of visitors to the Museum. We have the added benefit of keeping the public informed and engaged with us. Fran Booth, our marketing guru, has done an outstanding job of securing coveted front-page coverage in the local print media. Volunteers compliment her efforts in keeping our website, newsletters, and social media updated as well.
Hats off to the combined efforts that support the Cave Creek Museum!
~Evelyn Johnson, Executive Director
Yeee Haw! VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
The 2023 Cave Creek Rodeo Days parade is March 18.
Let’s make the museum part of the fun!
We need creative, enthusiastic, and fun-loving volunteers to make it happen. Lend your talent, time, and ideas to make costumes, props, parade signs, or join us as we walk the parade route. What an exciting and fun way to be involved with your museum and your community. Come join the parade and let's hear from you today! Sign on by contacting buck50columna@gmail.com.
A Membership Reminder
Have you renewed your membership? Now, more than ever,
the Museum appreciates your financial support.
Please, send your tax-deductible
membership donation
to ensure a great year ahead.
ClickHEREto renew your membership.
To make a year-end donation to your Cave Creek Museum click HERE.
Museum Store News:
Look What's Happening
at the Cave Creek
Museum Store
in January
The holidays are over, the weather is nice, and now’s the time to have fun. Let the Cave Creek Museum Store give you great ideas for “What To Do!”
Travel & Explore? Arizona Non-Fiction? Arizona Fiction? Native American Authors? Memoirs? Children’s Books? Cookbooks? Guides for Flora? Fauna? Geology? Trees? Trails? 4WD and Trail Maps for our area? We got ‘em! Cave Creek’s most extensive selection of books and remember---no tax! Come see us and start 2023 off with a good read! Here’s just a few of our titles. (And we have lots of cool stuff to browse as well!)
Album of Events:
Left: Darlene Southern, Jane Heidel, Dian Flach and Audra Botwin spruced up the museum for the holidays. Behind, Jerilyn Edwards focused on a smaller tree. Right:Audra Botwin put the finishing touches on the Church’s Christmas tree. ~
Who says you can’t get good help these days? Volunteer Gene Bouldin tidies up a John Wade Hampton bronze. ~
Tina Nunnally takes a break from sorting files. ~
Left: Fun for all ages! Right:Carol Ann Anderson and Buck Colmna figure out the craft. ~
The Real Housewives of Cave Creek held their Christmas Party at the Cave Creek Museum---perfect venue to get festive! ~
We would like to gratefully acknowledge ON Media for their very generous donation of an ad in their December programs. They publish for all of the major performing arts groups throughout the state placing us in very good company! And there are no words to express our thanks to Richard Giuliani Design for making our museum shine. What a perfect holiday gift!
Bored? 'Looking for something fun to do
in the new year? Discover the Riches in Volunteering!
Volunteer opportunities abound at the Cave Creek Museum. Do you enjoy talking about history? Being a docent could be perfect for you? History, however, isn't your only option. Volunteer opportunities at our Cave Creek Museum abound! Which of these areas is calling YOU?
* Event Planning
* Hospitality
* Maintenance
* Technology
* Museum Store
* Education
* Office Assistant
* Exhibits / Collections Management
* And MORE At the Cave Creek Museum, there’s a spot for you!
Become part of a lively, engaging community of volunteers passionate about supporting our Cave Creek Museum while making new friends and giving back to our community.
For more information, view the volunteering page on our websiteHERE.
A Smile for Our Museum
Did you know that AmazonSmile is a program donating 0.5% of your eligible purchases on Amazon to a charity of your choice? Do consider your charity of choice to be the Cave Creek Museum. This donation is made at no extra cost to you. The only difference is you'll need to select your charity at smile.amazon.com and, then do your shopping at smile.amazon.com. The donation may be only a small percentage of your purchase, but those small amounts add up when many of us make this same choice. Then, quarterly The Cave Creek Museum will receive an electronic transfer of our accumulated donations. What an easy way to join together to support our museum!
If you've missed any of our Nuggets newsletter OR would like to enjoy reading some of our past issues, simply clickHERE.
