July Short Course with the Guild

As part of its commitment to continuing education, the Heard Museum Guild presents several short courses each year. The aim of the courses is to enhance one’s respect for Native peoples and to develop an appreciation of their art and culture. The courses are open to the public.

Two Chapters in the History of the West

Jay Roth, a Las Guias docent, leads the first two morning sessions. Over the past 7 years he has taught Presidential and American history in lifelong learning programs at ASU, the Bureau of Jewish Education, Encore University at the Valley Presbyterian Church, and Florida International University.

His sessions will address the political decisions of two Presidents: Ulysses S. Grant and Andrew Jackson. The tensions, prejudices, stereotypes, and attitudes developed in colonial times vis-a-vis the native populations were deeply held and embedded in American culture. Mr. Roth will explore the very different approaches to Native Americans by these two Presidents and how their personal attitudes and the larger environment in which they were functioning impacted their policies toward and their ultimate treatment of the indigenous people.

The third session of the morning is a presentation by Bill Harrison, a popular Arizona historian. His lively comments and slide presentations are always very well-received.

“La Posada, Jewel of the Santa Fe” is the story of the last, great Harvey Hotel built by the Fred Harvey Company in 1930. It’s also the story of Mary Coulter, legendary architect who was totally in charge of the design and construction of the hotel. This story begins in 1930 and ends in the present. It covers the heyday of the hotel and its later deterioration and near destruction. It finishes with the restored hotel that’s serving guests today.

If you prefer to pay with check, register to attend by July 8 with Pat Briggs at shortcourse@heardguild.org.

You can learn more about the Heard Museum Guild, their classes and other events, at their website: heardguild.org