December 21, 2022 marks the 50th Anniversary of the Desert Caballeros Western Museum Fire. Founded in 1960 as a private non-profit institution by Morton Bodfish, Roy Coxwell, H. K. “Mac” MacLennan, Katherine McCrady, and William Weeks, the Desert Caballeros Western Museum took its name from the famous men’s trail ride that originated in Wickenburg, Arizona in 1947 and chose the Museum as its designated charity. On May 8, 1969 the museum officially opened to the public, housed in the former Brayton’s Commercial Company building. However, on December 21, 1972 a tragic fire consumed the entire building and its collection.
Dr. Eduardo Pagán and a panel that includes Royce Kardinal and Julia Macias Brooks will talk about that fateful day and the events that took place afterwards. How did the museum rise like the mythical phoenix out of the ashes?
This discussion will be held in the historic Saguaro Theater on November 10 at 10:30 am. $10 at the door. Free for members. Call the museum at 928.684.2272 for more information.
