The Oro Valley Historical Society is celebrating 20 years of preserving history and serving the Greater Oro Valley community! Our newsletter has a fresh, new look, and exciting things are happening for us. Read on to discover how we’re keeping Oro Valley history alive—and how you can support our efforts.
Thank you for being part of our story!
OVHS Celebrates 20 Years!
As the Oro Valley Historical Society marks its 20th anniversary, we invite you to visit the Pusch House Museum for the final weeks of our exhibit, “The Society Begins.” Learn about the founding of the Society and the people who shaped its mission—including Jim Kriegh, a visionary whose love for meteorites and local history earned him the title “The Father of Oro Valley.” His remarkable collection of space rocks, now part of the exhibit, offers a glimpse into his unique contributions.
Volunteers at the Pusch House Museum will be available to guide your visit and share more stories. Admission is complimentary, and donations are appreciated to keep Oro Valley History alive!
At our 20th Anniversary Celebration, held on October 18, 2025, guests enjoyed tours of the Heritage Garden and Pusch House Museum, refreshments and a ribbon-cutting to celebrate the permanent outdoor interpretive signs that dot the Steam Pump Ranch property, eight of which were funded by a generous grant provided by the Oro Valley Chamber Foundation.
Founders, past presidents, volunteers, donors, and Town of Oro Valley officials shared in the festivities.
Next exhibit: The Holidays Include Everyone!Discover holiday traditions from many cultures – November 22nd – January 3rd.
Read about our Board of Directors
With Much Gratitude
The Oro Valley Historical Society depends on gifts, grants, and donations to help us keep Oro Valley History alive. We are very grateful for the time and energy our volunteers spend on making sure the community is aware of the history we share. And we are grateful to Jim Williams and Margot Hurst for their very generous donations as we begin our 20th anniversary year.
In addition, we appreciate the grant we received from the Arizona Historical Society this year to help us purchase a computer program that will enable us to completely digitize our collection of artifacts and archives for future generations.
And a big thanks to the Colmar Foundation for the very extensive panel, which is now on display at the Pusch House Museum, showing visitors the many aspects of the life of George Pusch.
We are also grateful to the Town of Oro Valley for working with us to provide secure and climate-controlled storage space at Steam Pump Ranch for some of our more delicate treasures.
And a big thanks to Kenny Darr and KGUN news for spending time with our secretary and president at Steam Pump Ranch to help us share with the community how we are celebrating our 20-year anniversary.
Watch the Kenny Darr / KGUN video
TIME IS RUNNING OUT!
Buy a ticket and ALL of the money is kept by OVHS!
Try your luck in a raffle – tickets are $25 each or five for $100. Prizes include:
- 2025 Kia Carnival Hybrid SX Prestige
- Two first-class round-trip airline tickets anywhere in the world (restrictions apply)
- $5,000 cash!
Purchase tickets on Saturdays at our information booth or inside the museum by November 22nd or contact us to purchase directly with a team member or visit our donation page.
Ways to Support OVHS
Visit Us!
There’s always something happening at OVHS—new exhibits, donation drives, Speaker Series, walking tours, and more! Come see what’s new!
Discover All Things OVHS!
Nonprofits Supporting One Another
This year, OVHS has teamed up with other local nonprofit organizations to provide extra space and opportunities to collect donations that support our community.
Check our Calendar of Events and stop by the Pusch House Museum to meet these amazing organizations making a difference!
Come out on November 8 to take a selfie with Pickleman!
Discover More Activities Planned by OVHS!
Just Kidding Around
Did you know that we offer private tours for groups of all sizes (and ages?)
Our naturalist, Paul Canez, recently had a blast with a school group and their parents. The adventure began at Honey Bee Canyon exploring plants and wildlife, then continued to our Heritage Garden to visit a replica Hohokam home, grind corn on a metate, and pick fresh veggies right from the garden!
Gather your group and click the button below to request your own private tour!
Request a Private Tour!
Support OVHS – at no cost to you!
Did you know that your everyday shopping at Fry’s can directly support the Oro Valley Historical Society
— with no extra cost to you? Whether you shop a little or a lot, every purchase helps us in our mission to Keep Oro Valley history alive!
Watering the Cattle – Steam Pump Ranch @1880
Local artist, Dan Hoffbauer donates 25% of sales of his lively renditions at Steam Pump Ranch.
- You can purchase a print in one of three ways
- Visit the gift shop at the Pusch House Museum on Saturdays
- Complete the OVHS Contact Us form, and Dan will reach out to you directly
Special orders for custom sizes are available!
Learn More About Dan’s Artwork
How Does Our Garden Grow?
…with donations of money and equipment, and LOTS of love from our community!
We have received a worker’s bench and tool shed, built by George Weaver, employee of Home Depot, and beautifully painted by our President, Bob Kellar. Volunteer John Munden donated a potter’s table, which now sits atop the paver foundation he skillfully laid.
Several volunteers from United Way spent time completing 6 projects in the garden during the Day of Caring campaign, and in August scouts from the Catalina Council of Scouting America planted mesquite trees to provide future shade.
All of this work has allowed our garden volunteers to plant a new season of fall and winter crops. In addition, at the request of Society Co-Founder Pat Spoerl, Pima County has replaced the interpretive signs in the garden—helping visitors imagine what life and cultivation were like here long before any of us arrived.
Learn more about our Heritage Garden
