Slate of Topics
Is your club, organization or business looking for a speaker to present a program showcasing the history of the Sun Cities and the Northwest Valley? The Sun Cities Area Historical Society is pleased to provide professional speakers to share programs on several interesting topics, including the history of Sun City and Sun City West, as well as talks highlighting the careers and companies built by Del E. Webb and Jim Boswell, two men hugely responsible for the success of the Sun Cities. Talks are presented by members of the Society’s Speakers Bureau and include historic photographs from the archives of the Del Webb Sun Cities Museum.
Talks are presented free of charge, although donations to the museum are always appreciated!
Sun City: The Community That Changed a Nation
This talk is primarily a history of the first few decades of Sun City, but also focuses on how the creation and development of Sun City totally changed the way people viewed retirement and what it meant to be a “senior” in this nation.
Cotton Balls to Golf Balls
Tells the story of the events leading up to Sun City—the nation’s first active adult community—and how Del Webb refused to listen to the experts who claimed that “old people wouldn’t leave their families.”
The Boswell Connection
A local hospital bears the name of Walter O. Boswell. Jim Boswell owned the land on which Sun City was built and partnered with Del Webb in developing the new community. Few realize that Jim Boswell was the largest farmer in America or that the Boswell Empire stretched from vast holdings in California to Arizona to Oregon to Colorado and the outback of Australia. In building it, he bent nature, government agencies, and politicians to his will—yet never forgot his humble roots, other referring to himself as “just a cowboy.”
Del Webb – An American Success Story
Tells how a high school dropout went on to build one of the nation’s largest construction firms. Along the way, he owned the New York Yankees for 20 years, pioneered the casino/convention hotel in Las Vegas, and went against the experts’ advice in opening the nation’s first active adult community.
Sun City West: Signs of the Past
Describes the history of Del Webb’s second Arizona active adult community, which opened in 1978. The talk highlights the early development of Sun City West and touches on such popular attractions as the recreation centers, Hillcrest Golf Course, the popular Sundome Center for Performing Arts and much more!
Sun City: Yesterday and Today
The program tells the history of the community using archival photos from the past of buildings and locations—and how they appear today.
Complete the following form and you will be contacted regarding any additional information.
2024 Commitments:
No Engagements are currently scheduled.
For more information on classes:
Lifelong Learning Club: https://suncityaz.org/
RISE Learning for Life: https://www.riosalado.