ARIZONA STATE PARKS: For Immediate Release
Managing and conserving Arizona’s natural, cultural and recreational resources for the benefit of the people, both in our Parks and through our Partners. FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Ellen Bilbrey at (602) 542-1996 or (602) 228-8518, or Monica Enriquez at (602) 542-6997. Contact by Email: pio(at)azstateparks.gov
(Phoenix, Arizona - August 24, 2009) - Riordan Mansion State Historic Park offers family educational programs throughout September 2009.
On Tuesday, September 8 at 12:15pm, the Brown Bag Lunch Lecture, "Jerome in the News," will be presented by Nora Graf, Assistant Park Manager, Jerome State Historic Park. Today newspapers are struggling to survive. It wasn't always this way. Newspapers used to be a vital element in even small communities. Jerome had several newspapers in its history, all reporting on the day-to-day events of the town and its citizens. Newspapers reported the mundane, the unusual, the police reports and legal notices just like today. This program will show you a bit of Jerome's history through newspaper, good and bad, mundane and not. Location: Front veranda of the historic 1904 Riordan Mansion.
On Saturday, September 26 at 7pm, the Evening Slide Presentation, "Was Wukoki a 12th Century Astronomical Observatory," will be presented by Jerry Snow of Museum of Northern Arizona. Observations made at the Wukoki site at Wupatki National Monument since 1995 have suggested to our presenter that it may have been built to mark significant positions of the sun and moon in the 12th century A.D. The story of making these observations will be told and illustrated as part of ours Flagstaff Festival of Science and the International Year of Astronomy. Reservations are recommended due to limited availability. Call (928) 779-4395.
On Sunday, September 27 at 7pm, the Evening Slide Presentation, "The Lowell Expedition to Arizona, 1894," will be presented by Kevin Schindler from Lowell Observatory. In 1894 Percival Lowell, a wealthy Boston patrician, hired astronomer Andrew Douglass to travel to Arizona Territory in search of an appropriate location for a new astronomical observatory. Douglass was wined and dined in numerous towns and cities such as Tombstone, Tempe and Prescott. It was Flagstaff, however, that proved to be the best location to establish the new observatory. This program will discuss the fascinating details of the 1894 Douglass Expedition, followed by a look at why Flagstaff was chosen as site for Lowell Observatory, and why this act had such dramatic influence over the development of Arizona and the people who came here. Reservations are recommended due to limited availability. For reservations call (928) 779-4395.
Guided tours of Riordan Mansion are given daily, at the top of each hour. Tours begin at 9 am. Tour size is limited and reservations are highly recommended. Reservations are made by calling the Park at (928) 779-4395. Your guide will lead you through a pristine historic home filled with original artifacts, handcrafted furniture, and personal mementos of the Riordan families. The impressive home contains an exceptional collection of Craftsman furnishings with appointments by Edison, Stickley, Ellis, and Steinway. The first floor of the West Wing is included as part of the tour and provides displays about the family, the Arts and Crafts movement, and other local interests.
Built in 1904 for two Riordan families, Riordan Mansion is an impressive reminder of gracious living in a small, territorial logging town. The historic building is an Arizona treasure -- a remarkable example of Arts and Crafts style architecture featuring a rustic exterior of log-slab siding, volcanic stone arches, and hand-split wooden shingles. The expansive home has forty rooms, more than 13,000 square-feet of living area, and servant's quarters. The Riordan residence was designed by the creator of Grand Canyon's El Tovar Hotel, Charles Whittlesey.
For more information or reservations call (928) 779-4395. Riordan Mansion State Historic Park is Riordan Mansion is located next to Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff on Riordan Road.
The park entrance fee is $6 per person for those aged 14 and up and $2.50 for children aged 7 to 13 (There is no charge for children younger than 6).
For more information about the 30 State Parks, statewide hiking opportunities, off-highway vehicle trails, and other outdoor recreational and cultural opportunities in Arizona, call (602) 542-4174 (outside of the Phoenix metro area call toll-free (800) 285-3703) or visit AZStateParks.com. Follow us on twitter.com/AZStateParks.
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Learn More About Riordan Mansion State Historic Park 
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http://azstateparks.com/press/2009/PR_08-24-09.html
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