Welcome to Pioneers' Cemetery Association
RESEARCH - PRESERVE - EDUCATE
About Phoenix & Territorial Arizona History
About Phoenix & Territorial Arizona History
The Mission of the Pioneers' Cemetery Association, Inc. is to conserve and protect the historic physical remains, grave markers, artifacts, and buildings of Pioneer & Military Memorial Park and provide a safe, accessible community resource for present and future generations; to acknowledge, celebrate, and promote Arizona's Pioneer History, represented by those interred in Arizona historic cemeteries, through research, education, conservation, preservation, and community engagement.
The Pioneers' Cemetery Association, Inc. is a non-profit organization with IRS 501(c)(3) status.
The Pioneers' Cemetery Association, Inc. is a non-profit organization with IRS 501(c)(3) status.
Our historic cemeteries are open by appointment on Thursdays 10 AM - 2 PM for self-guided tours.
Tours of historic Smurthwaite House are available on Thursdays 10 AM - 2 PM by appointment only.
Please contact us at pioneercem@yahoo.com for arrangements.
Volunteers are not available every Thursday in the summer -
please plan ahead!
February Fundraiser Event - Hats & High Tea!
Join us
Saturday, February 25, 2023
4:30-6:30 PM
for this fundraiser supporting
Grave Marker Preservation
Tickets - $45 each
Raffle tickets - $5 each
Donations are always welcome!
Event is by reservation only - seating is limited!
Location:
Pioneer & Military Memorial Park
1317 W. Jefferson, Phoenix, AZ
To order your tickets and reserve your seat, contact us:
Debe Branning
nazanaza@aol.com
Mail checks to:
Debe Branning
1263 N. Gaylord Circle, Mesa, AZ 85213
Checks payable to "Pioneers' Cemetery Association"
Saturday, February 25, 2023
4:30-6:30 PM
for this fundraiser supporting
Grave Marker Preservation
Tickets - $45 each
Raffle tickets - $5 each
Donations are always welcome!
Event is by reservation only - seating is limited!
Location:
Pioneer & Military Memorial Park
1317 W. Jefferson, Phoenix, AZ
To order your tickets and reserve your seat, contact us:
Debe Branning
nazanaza@aol.com
Mail checks to:
Debe Branning
1263 N. Gaylord Circle, Mesa, AZ 85213
Checks payable to "Pioneers' Cemetery Association"
FREE Art Show! Saturday, January 21, 12-3 PM
Open House - Make A Valentine!
Join us Saturday, January 28th, 10am-2pm!
Tour our cemeteries and take the opportunity to make a vintage Valentine! $3 for one or $5 for two. Learn about the different “Valentine” symbols carved into tombstones as you stroll through the cemetery participating in a fun Valentine scavenger hunt. Lite refreshments will be provided for your enjoyment. All proceeds go towards Grave Marker Preservation.
Excellent time to join PCA or renew your membership!
Tour our cemeteries and take the opportunity to make a vintage Valentine! $3 for one or $5 for two. Learn about the different “Valentine” symbols carved into tombstones as you stroll through the cemetery participating in a fun Valentine scavenger hunt. Lite refreshments will be provided for your enjoyment. All proceeds go towards Grave Marker Preservation.
Excellent time to join PCA or renew your membership!
Grave Marker Preservation Month - Donations Appreciated!
Our Grave Marker Preservation team will be in the historic Phoenix cemeteries working to repair, restore, and preserve remaining grave markers.
Donations of supplies would be greatly appreciated to sustain the team with a minimum of personal expense. Deliveries can be made by February 2nd to Smurthwaite House any Thursday 10 AM - 1 PM or at our January events.
Suggested items:
Thank you for your support!
Donations of supplies would be greatly appreciated to sustain the team with a minimum of personal expense. Deliveries can be made by February 2nd to Smurthwaite House any Thursday 10 AM - 1 PM or at our January events.
Suggested items:
- Mini water bottles
- Fruit
- Individually packaged snacks - crackers, chips, cookies, granola bars, trail mix
Thank you for your support!
In Memorium - Jan Huber
PCA is sad to announce the passing of Dr. Jan D. Huber on December 5th. Jan will be remembered as a strong supporter of military history by all who knew him. He was instrumental early on in identifying veterans buried in our cemeteries and helping uncover their service records. Jan was a beloved member and volunteer. Many of you will remember Jan's part as bugler during our Memorial Day Ceremonies over the years, now a cherished memory. Jan was also member of the Sons of the Union Veterans of the Civil War and the Sons of the American Revolution. RIP Jan.
No Day Shall Erase You From the Memory of Time (Virgil)
No Day Shall Erase You From the Memory of Time (Virgil)
Chinese Pioneers Remembered November 5
|
|
On Saturday, November 5, the Chinese Circle in City/Loosley Cemetery was formally dedicated. The invitation-only event, sponsored by Chinese United and the Pioneers' Cemetery Association, was to commemorate the lives of the Chinese pioneers buried there.
Although Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego could not attend due to a scheduling conflict, Patrick Carlson, Policy Assistant, and Cassandra Mason-Motz, Special Assistant to the Mayor, were present on her behalf. Mr. Carlson read a proclamation acknowledging the contributions of these forgotten pioneers to the Phoenix we know today. The historic Pioneer & Military Memorial Park is located at 1317 West Jefferson near the Arizona State Capitol complex. About 4,000 of Phoenix's earliest inhabitants were laid to rest there between 1884 and 1914, including notables such as Jacob Waltz, Tom Graham and King S. Woolsey. In 2014, the Phoenix Chinese Welfare Council erected a granite monument honoring Phoenix's pioneer Chinese. Renovation of the Chinese Circle was completed in 2021 with the installation of cenotaph bricks bearing the names of 47 early Chinese settlers. |
NEW BOOK - "Gold Mountain in the Desert"
Available NOW!
Don't miss this opportunity to pick up your copy featuring two of our Pioneers' Cemetery Association volunteers as authors!
This is available in both
hard and soft cover editions.
You may purchase your copy online and pick it up at Smurthwaite House
any Thursday, 10a.m-2p.m or at our events,
or you may prefer to have it mailed to you.
Purchase the book through our Gift Shop -
add postage to your order if you wish it mailed to you.
Enjoy this collaboration bringing the history of our Chinese community to life!
Don't miss this opportunity to pick up your copy featuring two of our Pioneers' Cemetery Association volunteers as authors!
This is available in both
hard and soft cover editions.
You may purchase your copy online and pick it up at Smurthwaite House
any Thursday, 10a.m-2p.m or at our events,
or you may prefer to have it mailed to you.
Purchase the book through our Gift Shop -
add postage to your order if you wish it mailed to you.
Enjoy this collaboration bringing the history of our Chinese community to life!
Annual Holiday Party/Membership Appreciation Event - November 2022
|
|
Our thanks to all who took the time to join us at our historic cemeteries for outdoor crafting and food! Pioneers' Cemetery Association is incredibly grateful to all of our members who are a part of our 40 Years of Service to preserve Phoenix history!
|
PCA Day of Service, October 2022
|
|
Many thanks to the DAR chapters and other organizations who assisted us to maintain the grounds of Phoenix's historic cemeteries and clean grave markers! Your help to maintain the dignity and appearance of our historic grounds is greatly appreciated.
|
Dia de Los Muertos 2022 -
Grave Marker Preservation Fundraiser
|
|
Thanks to all who were a part of our annual Dia de Los Muertos FUN-raiser event building dolls and ceramic pots for the holiday! Beautiful raffle baskets were available for attendees. Special thanks to our Mistresses of Mayhem, Cindy Lee and Debe Branning, for so much time, resources, dedication, and heart to host this event!
|
NEW! Calendar Updates
Mark your calendars now as we head into 2023, our 40th Year of Service!
Head to our Calendar page to see the exciting events on our horizon! Become a Member today!
Head to our Calendar page to see the exciting events on our horizon! Become a Member today!
Thank You, American Association of
State and Local History!
Cindy Lee, Vice President, accepting AASLH award - Sept. 2022
|
|
The American Association for State and Local History (AASLH) has notified us that Pioneers’ Cemetery Association has received an Award of Excellence for our project highlighting Women and Children of Pioneer & Military Memorial Park. "The Award of Excellence is part of the AASLH Leadership in History Awards, the most prestigious recognition for achievement in the preservation of state and local history." See more of the notice in the attached photo. We are so proud of all our volunteers and the hard work they do to preserve history.
|
NEW Walking Tour Brochures Available
Our thanks to Arizona Humanities for a 2021 grant enabling us to create a number of walking tour brochures to share more stories of our Arizona history! Shown is one side of one brochure Pioneers' Cemetery Association is making available to the public. You may download these as pdfs to read the brief stories of our interred, share with loved ones as you do family research, or print to have ready for your own self-guided tour of our historic cemeteries! You can find all of our available brochures on Our Cemeteries page.
Learn more about our grave marker preservation here, with our thanks to Cronkite News and Sam Chow, aired February 17, 2022.
Follow Us on Facebook & Instagram!
Join our team as we share short video stories about some of early Arizona pioneers! "Like" or "Follow" us on our social media sites by clicking the icons below! And you can ALWAYS send us email at pioneercem@yahoo.com - it's the best and fastest way to reach us! (click the envelope)
Smurthwaite House Video
Many thanks to City of Phoenix's Nathalie Gage as well as Pioneers' Cemetery Association's own Judy Smith and Vivia Strang for their time and talents!
Location & HoursSmurthwaite House and the cemeteries of Pioneer & Military Memorial Park are open to the public every THURSDAY from 10 AM - 2 PM, on the fourth Saturday of the month September through May at scheduled times, and for special events as posted. The facilities are supervised by an all-volunteer team. Your cooperation to coordinate your activity at available times is greatly appreciated.
Mailing Address Pioneers' Cemetery Association P.O. Box 33192 Phoenix, AZ 85067 Smurthwaite House & P&MMP 1317 W. Jefferson St. Phoenix, AZ 85007 pioneercem@yahoo.com THURSDAYS ONLY - BY APPOINTMENT ONLY BEGINNING JANUARY 2021 - Contact pioneercem@yahoo.com for details 10 AM-2 PM |
Pioneers' Cemetery Association - Phoenix, Arizona
Copyright © 2017-2022 Website last updated January 16, 2023
Contact Webmaster for website concerns.
All Rights Reserved.
Contact Webmaster for website concerns.
All Rights Reserved.