In May 2004, the Coordinating Committee for History in Arizona (CCHA) launched a planning initiative to encourage the development of a collaborative approach to planning the state centennial programs. Others have joined CCHA in this work as principal partners: the Arizona Historical Society; Arizona Humanities Council; Arizona State Historic Preservation Office; Arizona State Library, Archives, and Public Records; Arizona State Museum, Arizona State Parks; ASU Public History Program. In 2005 the Arizona Historical Advisory Committee was established by S.B. 1065 to develop, encourage and coordinate a statewide plan for Arizona's centennial in 2012.

Eight/KAET-TV begins its countdown to the Arizona Centennial with Arizona Stories.


From Beth Vershure

"Like so many of us I am a midwestern transplant who fell in love with Arizona and its wide-open spaces. Shortly after I came to Channel 8 in the 1980's we launched our Arizona Collection initiative. Our goal was to celebrate our great state and educate Arizonans about our people, places, and history through television programs, Web sites, and videos. Arizonans have shown us time and time again that they can't get enough of this kind of programming through their viewership and financial support. Today our Arizona Collection library features 70 award-winning programs for television broadcast and classroom use.

I am honored to serve on the Arizona Historical Advisory Commission and help shape a commemoration that encourages all Arizonans to reflect on our history, to experience the diverse tapestry of our heritage, and to explore our promising future.

Now is the time to begin focusing not only on how to celebrate Arizona' s Centennial, but how to commemorate it in a way that ensures a lasting legacy for future generations. Arizona Stories launches our countdown to the centennial and we intend to tell many more stories over the next six years. It's also my fond hope that we'll be able to develop the community partnerships and secure the funding necessary to produce the definitive history of Arizona for broadcast and classroom use in 2012.