Improvement and restoration projects are already underway at Pioneer Living History Museum. There will be much to see in the 2010-2011 season, which begins in September. The following list will excite those who have devoted countless volunteer hours to the Village over the years. This is just the beginning as the Village, like the legendary Phoenix for which our city has been named, rises from near ruin to fulfill the destiny seen by those early “pioneers” who created it in the 1960’s.

Over the summer, work has begun on our beautiful church. A new stained-glass rose window has been installed over the entry. It was quite a project that began with a preliminary painting of the steeple. The beautiful window was donated by Annette Grover of Bella Art Décor, LLC, located in Cave Creek. Copper State Glass donated the tempered exterior glass to protect it from the elements, and Gutowski Cabinets did the exterior frame. Diversified Roofing, the company putting on the new, church roof, donated the use of a bucket to lift the window to its new home. Everyone held their collective breath as Canyon Red slipped it into place. One observer noted, “fit like the pocket on a shirt,” as the window nestled into its frame on the first try!

Yes, the Pioneer Arizona Foundation has begun some long awaited repairs and renovations at Pioneer Living History Museum. Bids for painting both the interior and exterior of the church are now being taken. Next, will be a call for bids to paint the exterior of the Victorian house. Both of these buildings are long overdue for facelifts, and the ability of the Foundation Board to begin showing a profit, even in these tough economic times, is being given the credit for these projects.

Also included in the fall plans for Pioneer is a complete restoration of the balcony on the Opera House. This will coincide with the instillation of 3 Grand Chandeliers that were donated by Wells Fargo to enhance the interior.

Work on restoring the Jack House has begun with a thorough landscape cleanup. Legacy Custom Homes of Scottsdale, along with its sub-contractors, has adopted this turn-of-the-19th century home. Future plans include a roof, new porch, a complete renovation of the interior and new paint on both the interior and exterior. As a final enhancement to this labor of love, Legacy Custom Homes plans to plant an orchard in back of the house.

The Rotary Club of Anthem will continue to support the ongoing reclamation of the Village. Their efforts to cleanup, paint and renovate Village amenities like the Gazebo have made a major difference in the ongoing revitalization process.

One last note: in order to better accommodate night-time events on the Village Green, the Gazebo will soon be rewired.