Del Webb Sun Cities Museum 10801 W. Oakmont Drive Sun City, AZ
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By Bill Pearson
We need your help. Read this article to the end to see what you can do to preserve Sun City and Sun City’s past.
The date was Jan. 12, 1990; it was the grand opening of the Sun Cities Historical Society. The ribbon cutting was well attended by community dignitaries and by several residents who had been struggling to find a place to showcase Sun City’s and Sun City West’s history.
They knew those glorious years were always going to be a flashpoint for scholars, researchers and potential home buyers. Jane Freeman and Glen Sandberg had written Jubilee, Sun City’s 25th Anniversary book. They had collected volumes of materials. They had in their hands pieces from our past that existed nowhere else.
The Del E. Webb Development Corp. officials were in the process of throwing it out when Jane Freeman asked if she could have it. Thank goodness she did, or it would be gone.
Now some 30 plus years later, the Del Webb Sun Cities Museum, 10801 W. Oakmont Drive, Sun City, is looking better than ever. Thanks to hundreds of Sun City and Sun City West residents volunteering their time and expertise, the museum is on the National Register of Historic Places.
More importantly, tens of thousands of visitors have come through the museum. Countless numbers of researchers have made use of our archives. Radio, television, newspapers and magazines have requested photos and relied on us for the documented story of success as the first age restricted community in the nation.
Sun City truly changed the lives of seniors forevermore. We have the story captured on the displays of the museum. We literally pull you back in time to 1960 when you walk through our front doors. You can see it all. We are now open noon-3 p.m. Sundays and 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Tuesdays. You can also call the museum at 623-974-2568 and request a private tour.
Now it is your turn. We need volunteers for docents, guides to help us when we are open and visitors are coming through the museum. We know that sounds intimidating, it’s not. We train you, and speaking from experience, it is one of the most enjoyable “jobs” you can do as a volunteer.
There is no cost to visit the museum but we greatly appreciate your generous donations when you do come. We also invite you to become members of the museum. Memberships start as low as $25 per year. You can visit our website at Delwebbsuncitiesmuseum.org for more information.
Editor’s Note: Bill Pearson is an active member of the Sun Cities Historical Society and the museum.
