“A lot of people say this is the best-kept secret in town,” volunteer coordinator Jean Imler said in the Oct. 21, 1998 edition of the Sedona Red Rock News when discussing the opening of the Jordan Historical Park and Heritage Museum that was attended by 400 people.
It’s not a secret any longer after the Sedona City Council declared Oct. 18 to be Sedona Heritage Museum Day in commemoration of the museum’s 25th anniversary celebrations.
The 25th anniversary was more of a subdued event compared to the opening, with Sedona and Verde Valley residents offered free entry to the museum and pie.
“It’s been a whirlwind,” Executive Director Nate Meyers said about his first year leading SHS as a professional organization. “It’s been a lot of fun. It’s been a heck of a learning experience. I’ve really enjoyed it and enjoyed getting to know Sedona and as a community and not just a place to go and hike. The spirit of volunteerism is strong in Sedona and the spirit of community and that’s inspiring.”
“[Volunteers] had this dream when they opened the doors 25 years ago. They were optimistic and excited and they never looked back,” former board president and current museum historian Janeen Trevillyan said. “They got involved with professional organizations to learn about museum best practices. They weren’t afraid of technology, we’ve always had an active website … It’s all been pretty much on the backs of volunteers.”
“The sky’s the limit for the next 25 years,” Trevillyan added. “The next 25 years, we’ll have all kinds of new challenges and accomplishments. Our springboard 25 years ago was getting those doors and this executive director is our next springboard.”
“Twenty-five years from now, I would hope that this museum has grown into a vital community asset that people can’t imagine Sedona without, and I would hope that it’s one of the premier museums in Arizona,” Meyers said.
The Sedona Historical Society operates the Sedona Heritage Museum in Jordan Historical Park at 735 Jordan Road in Uptown. The museum is the former homestead of pioneers Ruth and Walter Jordan and includes the Jordan’s apple picking shed and a telegraph office used in Western films shot in Sedona. For more information, visit sedonamuseum.org or call (928) 282-7038.
