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.

Coming This Fall

The Gather began as a conversation about a colophon (an emblematic device, or a note, especially one relating to the circumstances of production, as the printer's or scribe's names place, and date, put at the conclusion of a book or manuscript – or in this case a...

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,...

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...

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...