Look at it this way: If you elect to buy into one of those newer age restricted communities, you know you'll never have this one treasure we have in the original...The Del Webb Sun Cities Museum. I know there's a handful of the older age-restricted communities that have their own museum but i'd wager none have the quality and quantity of collection like we do in Sun City. Just makes sense though; it all began in the valley of the sun, so the fact those hardy souls that moved to the middle of nowhere in the 60's and 70's took the time to preserve that history is hardly surprising. And while it was a group thing, one person spearheaded the entire effort. Jane Freeman who died just weeks ago was the catalyst behind it all. Without her efforts it would have been lost literally to the junkyards. As Sun City was approaching it's 25th anniversary, several folks decided a book on how it all came together was needed. It is the best read on the history of Sun City and is called Jubilee. Jane and a man by the name of Glenn Sandberg wrote it. While being written, hundreds of pieces of history were gathered. The most significant was an entire collection from the Del E Webb Development Corporation (DEVCO). They were closing their Sun City office and had thrown it all in the dumpster. Jane saw the "trash" and dove straight in to rescue it. The rest truly is history as all of the acquired materials needed a home. Over the next 4 years the group worked non-stop, raised enough money and bought and opened what was the first model home in Sun City (next to the Oakmont Rec Center, originally called Community Center). It began its life as the Sun Cities Area Historical Society (because it covered Sun City West as well). In 2009 as we were approaching the 50th anniversary, the board approved a name change to the Del Webb Sun Cities Museum. We contacted Pulte and they graciously agreed to allow us to use the logo and pay for and build the sign with the new name. In 2010 we ran enormous numbers through the museum and truly, a star was born. I love the museum; I often tell people I would ride my no speed bike there with the intent of staying for a short period but as I would start to dig through the materials, i'd get lost in time. Hours later i'd leave longing to have been around in those early years. But alas, no time machines here, but the museum is the next best thing as it's like taking a step back in time. Perhaps the best thing we did while I was president was to take the museum software they bought years before being on the board and build a website with a searchable data base. I'll link the site at the bottom of this article and encourage you all to visit it on line, but only if you promise once you get here to visit it up close and personal. You won't regret it. Here's the link to the site. There's an incredible interview with John Meeker from our oral history collection on the front page along with a youtube link to one of the best advertising pieces you'll ever find called The Beginning. Be forewarned, allow plenty of time once you get started, you won't want to quit.
In the boxes directly above the post is a series directly next to the smiley face. The first one is the link and when you click it a box will pop up. Highlight the words you want to link and then click on the world image. I cut and paste the url which then means you have to (I think) delete the www and just insert the cut and pasted link in its entirety. Easy enough, but I am having a bugger of a time posting pictures. My HP Photosmart is not very user friendly.
Just a quick note that today (Thursday June 6) at 10 am we will be saying our final goodbyes to Jane Freeman founder of the Sun Cities Historical Society/Del Webb Sun Cities Museum. The memorial service is at Faith Presbyterian Church on Del Webb Blvd. If you can join us, please do. She was perhaps the most remarkable person to ever live in Sun City...just don't let her know I said that, she hated to be applauded for her efforts. She did it because she loved the community, not for the recognition. RIP Jane.
I also watched that original promotional piece and got such a kick out of it. The man in the video planting his flowers and the children running through them reminded me of why we moved lol. I loved the little ladies with their hats. The little museum here is a treat. I went with a club friend a while ago and we thought we would be just a few minutes considering how tiny the house was...well we stayed for over an hour.
