Yuma County invites community to explore local history Feb. 6-7

Arizona Western College and the Arizona Historical Society are inviting Yuma residents to a weekend of history programming on Feb. 6-7 that pairs public events with a student-curated virtual tour. Organizers say the lineup aims to connect neighbors, students and visitors with downtown Yuma’s landmarks and stories.

“We are excited to partner with the Arizona Historical Society for a weekend of Yuma History,” said Ellen Riek, adjunct professor at Arizona Western College. The weekend’s activities are designed for community members to connect with Yuma’s rich past through a blend of traditional storytelling and innovative, student-led projects.

The schedule opens Friday, Feb. 6, with a Yuma History Trivia Contest at 7:00 p.m. at Prison Hill Brewery. Saturday programming begins with a Yuma history talk by Clifford Trafzer from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. at the Yuma Heritage Library Auditorium. A Yuma Historical Walking Tour of Historic Downtown Yuma is set to begin at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday and will be led by representatives from the Arizona Historical Society and Arizona Western College. Sources list the tour’s duration as 1:00–3:00 p.m., but reports differ on the start point - one account lists City Hall as the meeting place while another lists Molina Block.

AWC students also supplied a digital companion to the weekend. The app, titled “Yuma History Virtual Tour,” was created by AWC students last year with support from an AWC Innovation Fund grant. The free app is currently compatible with Apple products and can be found on the App Store by searching “Yuma History Virtual Tour.” A web version also exists. Stops include the Lutes Gretna Green Wedding Chapel, the United States Camel Corps and E. F. Sanguinetti, with each stop curated by an AWC student as part of English and History course projects.

Context from Arizona Historical Society archives and local tour platforms underscores the depth of Yuma’s preserved sites. The Sanguinetti House Museum and Gardens at 240 S. Madison Avenue has hosted outdoor walking tours led by storytellers in past years and the Colorado River State Historic Park preserves the 1864 Yuma Quartermaster Depot as part of the Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area. Past AHS listings recommended advance tickets, early arrival, comfortable shoes and bottled water; those 2020 procedures are archival and not confirmed for the Feb. 6-7 events.

For residents, the weekend offers more than sightseeing. Student-led research and free digital access expand who can participate - a practical equity gain for people who may not be able to attend in person. Public programs like these also support civic connection and local cultural literacy, resources that matter for community resilience and wellbeing.

Reporters listed on one local account include Marcos Icahuate - marcos.icahuate@kecytv.com and Andrea Turisk. Organizers and attendees should confirm final meeting locations, ticketing and accessibility details before heading out; the walking tour’s start point and some scheduling details differ across reports. The weekend may be a good moment to explore Yuma’s streets, narratives and the student work that is helping preserve them for wider audiences.