The Community That Changed A Nation!
Sun City, Arizona
MISSION STATEMENT
The mission of the Sun Cities Historical Society is to promote public awareness and appreciation of the history of Sun City and Sun City West. The Society collects, preserves, and displays materials and artifacts striving to inform present and future generations of the pioneering heritage of these unique active retirement communities.
Click images to enlarge.
THE SUN CITIES MUSEUM
The Museum is the only building in the Sun Cities to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Museum officials were notified after several years of applying for the designation, the museum was finally granted historic status.
The organization was created in 1985 with a mission to preserve and present the history of Sun City and Sun City West. The museum is located in one of the first five model homes built by the Del E. Webb Corporation in 1960 as it prepared to launch Sun City, the nation’s very first master-planned, active-adult retirement community. The community opened to the public on January 1, 1960. The five model homes, along with Oakmont Recreation Center and a golf course were open to the public on that first weekend.
The home has been restored and features rotating exhibits focusing on the history of the community, as well as its developer – Del E. Webb – and the clubs and organizations in the retirement communities. “We’re extremely proud of our museum and think it’s a fitting honor to be recognized as one of our nation’s historic landmarks,” said Bret McKeand, president of the museum’s board of trustees. The National Register of Historic Places is the “official list of the nation’s historic places worthy of preservation.” The list is overseen by the National Park Service. Presently there are over 80,000 places on the list. Locations on the list in Arizona include the Wrigley Mansion, Hunt’s Tomb, Petrified Forest and Canyon de Chelly National Monument. The Del Webb Sun Cities Museum becomes the first property in either Sun City or Sun City West to earn the designation.
👀 WHAT’S AT THE MUSEUM
3 NEW DISPLAYS
Sun Cities Liberty Bell
“Signs” From The Past
Sunshine Service
👀 WHAT’S COMING
C.A.R.S Auto Show
Sunday, October 9th
Details to follow!
Sun City Saints Celebration
November 4th
Future Hours
August
Sun 12-3 & Mon 10-1
September & October
Sun 12-3 & Mon/Tue 10-4
DOCENTS NEEDED
We are looking for volunteers interested in serving as docents at the museum. The docents help to guide museum visitors through the house and tell the story of Del Webb and the Sun Cities. Prospective docents will be given extensive training and will work alongside other docents. This is a great opportunity for those who appreciate local history, our museum and enjoy meeting people. The next new docent training begins on January 6th. For more information, call 623-974-2568 or complete the volunteer form by clicking HERE. Be a part of preserving and sharing the history of Sun City.
Jack Douglas Hosts Valley of the Sun Featuring The Sun City Retirement Community (1962)
MEMBERSHIP
Membership is vital to our continued operation. Please join today and encourage your friends, neighbors, organizations and local businesses to become members too!
