Blog
Welcome to the archive of our Western Spirit Newsletter Blog! We’re thrilled to bring you updates, stories, and insights into the vibrant world of the Museum. As a cultural haven nestled in the heart of Old Town Scottsdale, we take pride in preserving and celebrating the rich heritage, art, and history of the Old and New West. Join us on this virtual journey as we explore fascinating exhibitions, upcoming events, educational programs, and the incredible stories that make our Western Spirit Museum a true treasure trove of discovery and inspiration.
A Conversation with Board of Trustee Christine Mollring
Christine Mollring was born and educated in Santos, Brazil. Her parents, Henry and Mollie Usher, were both Londoners. At the age of 15, after the close of World War II, she traveled to London with her sister and paternal grandmother. Having danced ballet for 10 years,...
So, who is that guy? Many of you have asked, who has assisted in some of the museum’s writings? Let me introduce you to… the Life & Times of James Balestrieri
Born and raised in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Jim Balestrieri earned a B.A. in East Asian Languages and Cultures from Columbia University, an M.A. in English from Marquette University, and an M.F.A. in Theater and Playwriting from Carnegie-Mellon University. He was also a...
In the “Footprint” of Western Spirit—Part 1.
Along the bottom of this “plane’s-eye view” of Old Town Scottsdale, taken in 1936, you will note the two blocks between Main Street and 2nd Street. This—the site where Western Spirit now stands—was once Doc Bishop's cotton and alfalfa fields. T. S. “Doc” Bishop, whose...
A Message from the Executive Director
Museums are informal lifelong learning environments; that’s what lured me to this profession. More polarized than ever, our society needs these types of learning environments, as underscored by a program we hosted a few weeks ago. How do I know the program resonated...
NOW ON LOAN TO WESTERN SPIRIT: THE POTTER by Cliff Fragua, of Jemez Pueblo in New Mexico
Cliff’s grandmother was a potter, as are many women at Jemez Pueblo. Her name was Rita Casiquito and she was Corn Clan. Cliff describes her as a hard-working woman, less than 5 feet tall, who was well respected by her family and her community. She was half Jemez and...
SHHH – TELL ALL YOUR FRIENDS!
Our biggest, baddest Best of the Valley ever includes 561 of the most laudable people, places and things in Greater Phoenix…. Thank you to all our PHOENIX magazine readers and online users for a record vote turnout on Best of the Valley 2022. And the winner...
REMARKABLE PRESENCE
As of July 2022, nearly 31,000 people in Arizona have died of COVID-19. They were people with family, friends, children, and pets. People who mentored others and changed lives. They are gone. Their belongings and memories are left with the people involved in their...
International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples
The U.N. General Assembly created International Day of the World’s Indigenous People on December 23, 1994. August 9 was chosen as it was the day of the first meeting held by the U.N. Working Group on Indigenous Populations of the Sub-Commission on the Promotion and...
The Color of Care
“At the height of the pandemic, I read something that stopped me in my tracks. I read a story about Gary Fowler, a Black man that died in his home because no hospital would treat him despite his COVID-19 symptoms. As we continued to hear how the racial disparities in...
A Message from the Executive Director
Western Spirit fosters relationships with colleges and universities across Arizona and beyond. Recently, a fund was started to honor the legacy of one of our founding couples, Sandy and Jim Bruner. The mission of the Bruner Scholars Fund is to provide students in...