Photo: Pioneer Museum in Flagstaff, Arizona
State Sen. Wendy Rogers (R-7th District) has proposed a bill to fund the reopening of the Arizona Historical Society’s Pioneer Museum in Flagstaff. If passed in the next Congress, SB 1017 would allocate funds for museum operations and create new positions for museum employees who have been largely closed to the public since 2020. The Pioneer Museum first opened in 1963 and was a popular museum until it closed. It attracts museum visitors, locals and tourists visiting the state. Despite efforts by historical society staff from other locations, the society was unable to reopen the museum due to staffing and budget constraints.
On October 30, 2024, the Pioneer Museum Community Support Group (PMCSG) submitted a letter to key state elected officials advocating for the reopening of the facility and requesting funding on behalf of the Arizona Historical Society. If passed, the bill would direct $359,700 annually from the state general fund to the Arizona Historical Society for the upkeep and operation of the Flagstaff Museum starting in fiscal year 2026. The bill also authorizes the Arizona Historical Society to create four new staff positions to facilitate museum reopenings.
The Pioneer Museum tells the history of Flagstaff and northern Arizona. Housed on the site of the 1908 Coconino County Hospital, this museum houses artifacts from the region’s rich history and is a must-see for locals and visitors alike. The museum is located on beautiful wooded grounds and features not only the Pioneer Museum, but also the Donny Cabin (1882), one of the first homesteader cabins in Flagstaff, and the 1929 Baldwin Locomotive. There are also other buildings and artifacts. This area was used for logging.
Local supporters and history buffs in Flagstaff are eager to see the museum reopen. The Northern Arizona Pioneer Historical Society (NAPHS), a local history organization with long-standing ties to the Pioneer Museum, supports the passage of SB 1017. According to the organization’s board of directors, “The museum’s five-year closure deprives residents of their right to life and livelihood.” Visitors will have the opportunity to learn about Northern Arizona’s history. “NAPHS proudly supports this bill,” according to the board’s statement on the bill sponsored by Sen. Rogers.
Similarly, Flagstaff resident and history professor Michael Amandson believes it is “essential for the Arizona Historical Society to reopen the Pioneer Museum in Flagstaff and staff it with professional museum staff.” The museum is no longer a dusty attic filled with forgotten farm tools and typewriters, but an inclusive place where people from all parts of the community can learn about their history. ” Amundson added that the museum has provided “real-world experience” to countless college students through internships and other programs.
Arizona Historical Society staff have been working to find solutions to budget and staffing issues the society has faced in recent years. So Sen. Rogers’ bill comes at an opportune time. The Pioneer Museum has been an important community center in Flagstaff for decades, and the Arizona Historical Society looks forward to a bright future for the reopened and revitalized Pioneer Museum.
SB 1017 will be considered by the Arizona Legislature after the new session begins on January 13th. Supporters of the Pioneer Museum are encouraged to contact their local legislators and express support for SB 1017 to help reopen the museum.
