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.
Help preserve history with your donation today!
If you are considering photos or filming on our historic properties, please refer to the Phoenix Film Office information and application as we are under the auspices of the City of Phoenix.
The Pioneers' Cemetery Association, Inc. is a non-profit organization with IRS 501(c)(3) status.
Help preserve history with your donation today!
If you are considering photos or filming on our historic properties, please refer to the Phoenix Film Office information and application as we are under the auspices of the City of Phoenix.
Next Open House - Saturday, October 25
October Blog - Bad Men/Bad Women
Check back weekly in October!
Click the button below to view our
Pioneer Biographies!
In the month of Halloween, we'll take a look at
Bad Men & Bad Women
who helped shape Phoenix!
Click the button below to view our
Pioneer Biographies!
In the month of Halloween, we'll take a look at
Bad Men & Bad Women
who helped shape Phoenix!
Thanks to our PCA volunteers who research and compose these stories to keep the history alive!
There are many ways volunteers and members support historic preservation with
Pioneers' Cemetery Association.
Become a member, subscribe to our news, or donate today!
There are many ways volunteers and members support historic preservation with
Pioneers' Cemetery Association.
Become a member, subscribe to our news, or donate today!
Thank You, Apache Trail DAR
We appreciate the support and recognition of our Historic Preservation efforts from Apache Trail DAR!
|
|
Pioneers of the PMMP Come to Life
|
|
Thanks to the assistance of AI (Runway), and the talents of board member Val Wilson, we're excited to share how a few of our interred may have interacted in real life! |
Thank you, DAR chapters and New City Church!
|
|
Our sincere thanks to Maricopa and Piestewa Peak DAR chapters and New City Church for taking time to assist us in caring for our historic Phoenix cemeteries!
|
We're Now on YouTube!
|
|
Be sure to Subscribe to our YouTube channel for the most current video news!
|
Learn About Smurthwaite House
Updated Event Photos
|
Be sure to stop by our Photos page to catch up on our most recent events!
|
Great Time to Join PCA!
Join Today to Preserve Phoenix History!
Many hands make light work!
Membership enables Pioneers' Cemetery Association to preserve the
stories and heritage of territorial Arizona and Phoenix
as caretakers of the historic 7 cemeteries of Pioneer & Military Memorial Park and
historic Smurthwaite House.
Join our efforts today as a member and volunteer!
Become a member today!
Many hands make light work!
Membership enables Pioneers' Cemetery Association to preserve the
stories and heritage of territorial Arizona and Phoenix
as caretakers of the historic 7 cemeteries of Pioneer & Military Memorial Park and
historic Smurthwaite House.
Join our efforts today as a member and volunteer!
Become a member today!
Jacob Waltz Gravesite Improvement - Thank You!
|
Many Thanks to Our Donors
Up to $50 Donors
|
|
History of the Jacob Waltz Legend & Gravesite
If you'd like to learn more about heritage of Jacob Waltz and his gravesite, please enjoy the items below with thanks to the PCA Jacob Waltz Committee and historian Ed Dobbins for their efforts to share the history. You can learn more about Phoenix history on Ed's YouTube channel!
Thank You, Arizona Historical Society!
Pioneers' Cemetery Association was honored to receive the Al Merito Award "in recognition of outstanding work preserving and promoting Arizona history" and for providing a grant to support grave marker preservation! Thank you, Arizona Historical Society!
|
|
Thanks, SUVCW & City Parks & Rec!
|
|
Thanks to the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War for the new bench at the entrance to Porter Cemetery! We also thank the Parks and Recreation South employees who laid the cement pad and placed the bench. The prior bench was rotted and a hazard.
|
Thank You, Museum Association of Arizona!
Cindy Lee, our PCA Vice President, has been awarded the 2024 Individual Award of Excellence from the Museum Association of Arizona for her unwavering dedication to the historic preservation of pioneer cemeteries. Her passion for this cause is evident through her tireless efforts in recruiting and training volunteers in preservation techniques, as well as organizing and participating in the cleaning, masonry work, other preservation tasks as well. Her hands-on approach and hard work ensures that the rich legacy and memory of Arizona's pioneers are preserved for future generations. Congratulations, Cindy!
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.
|
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, and LinkedIn!
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 [email protected] - 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 - 1 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 [email protected] THURSDAYS ONLY - Contact [email protected] for details 10 AM-1 PM |
Pioneers' Cemetery Association - Phoenix, Arizona
Copyright © 2025 Website last updated October 24, 2025
Contact Webmaster for website concerns.
All Rights Reserved.
Contact Webmaster for website concerns.
All Rights Reserved.