November 8 - A Taste of African American History
Mark Costa • September 29, 2025
Our fellow Beverely Elliot with the African American Museum of Southern Arizona (AAMSAZ) is hosting 'A Taste of African American History' with three food trucks in Tucson on October 25 and Bisbee on November 8.
The African American Museum of Southern Arizona with a $20,000 fellowship from the Naco Heritage Alliance, is proud to present this event designed to share with you, the community, the cultural context of food in African American celebrations. Let them take you on a delicious adventure as 3 separate food trucks will prepare grab and go soul food delicacies that are historical and traditional to the culture including authentic Buffalo Soldier fare and foods central to Juneteenth celebrations, Freedom Day fare of New Year’s Day delights!
Click the links below to register for this free event. Space is limited, so sign up today!
October 25 Tucson event
Geico Corporate Offices, 3050 S. Martin Luther King Jr. Was, Tucson, AZ 85713
Tickets:
https://www.eventbrite.com/.../a-taste-of-african...
November 8 Bisbee event
Historic Warren Ballpark, 99 Arizona St., Bisbee AZ 85603
Tickets:
https://www.eventbrite.com/.../a-taste-of-african...
Saturday, September 20, 4pm 2118 West Newell St., Naco, AZ Join us for an exciting walkthrough at Camp Naco. Explore the historic grounds, learn about its significance, and immerse yourself in a unique experience. The Camp Naco project is at a pivotal point, and we are inviting the public to view our progress and see our plans for the future. This in-person, free event is a great opportunity to connect with history by learning more about the Buffalo Soldiers and the surrounding area's history. Don't miss out on this chance to step back in time and discover the charm of Camp Naco. The walkthrough will be led by Executive Director Jeremy Fricke and Construction Manager Mike Normand . NOTE: This event is limited to only 40 people. This will also be the last chance to see some of the buildings before rehabilitation starts late September, so don't miss out on this opportunity!
Come and celebrate the legacy of the Buffalo Soldiers! The 2025 Tribute event, hosted by the Southwest Association of Buffalo Soldiers (SWABS) honors the legacy of the Buffalo Soldier Stamp with the theme:
“The Buffalo Soldier Beyond the Call.” This memorable event features keynote speaker Colonel Richard “Dick” Toliver, USAF (Retired), a distinguished Air Force Veteran and author, as well as a presentation by National Buffalo Soldier Historian Dr. John P. Langellier, and the presentation of the SWABS Buffalo Soldier Legacy Award. With live entertainment by Freddie J with jazz, old-school R&B, and great food. Camp Naco is proud to sponsor this free event for the community. Thanks as well to our co-sponsors, the Sierra Vista African American Community Coalition and the Legacy Foundation of Southeast Arizona.
Rothery Education Center 3305 E. Fry Blvd, Sierra Vista, AZ Saturday, June 21st, 10am-5pm $5 suggested donation. In collaboration with the Sierra Vista African American Community Coalition, the Naco Heritage Alliance is proud to sponsor this fun filled family event! Featuring music by Reggae artists, R&B hits, African drumming, DJ’s, poetry, featured speakers & more. Join us in celebrating Juneteenth! Schedule of performers (subject to change): 10:00am Opening: Queen Mambo 10:15 Welcome: Queen A/ Bernadette/Ashiya 10:30 Najashi: Reggae music 10:40 Sharon Simonton 11:00 Baba Shibambo: African Drumming 12:00 Buffalo Soldier Presentation -Demetria Warren 12:30 Boots on the ground line dance - Skate crew 12:45 Juneteenth Mexico Celebration film in Conference room 12:45 Halima Human Design Presentation 1:00 Poetry reading 1:15 Gato Afro: Latino music 2:00 Sisters on Point - Tribute to Angie Stone 3:00 Reggae Headliner: Ranking Joe
Clues of the Past: Tales from a Camp Naco Archaeology Internship Thursday, May 29, 4:30pm 915 South Tovreaville Road Join two of our former interns, Madeline Colley and Hailey Smith (Cochise College), as they share a presentation of their experiences at the historic Camp Naco site. This is also a chance for the public to view a display of many of the artifacts they studied and documented over the course of the past 9 months. Free event, refreshments will be provided. Photo: Taryn Smith
The Original Cactus League Baseball on the Border April 26, 10am-Noon Local historian Mike Anderson will be leading a tour of the original Camp Naco baseball field, located at the corner of W. Newell Street and S. Willson Road, and sharing the history of the original Cactus League. The original Cactus League was a loose consortium of teams during the first decade and a half of the 20th Century from Bisbee, Douglas, Clifton, Morenci, Cananea, Fort Huachuca, Tucson and sometimes Naco. Afterwards, the event continues at Naco Elementary where Mike will share a presentation on historic baseball. This event is free to attend, join us!
Contractors Open House Date: Tuesday, March 25 from 11am – 2pm Location: Bisbee Council Chambers - 915 S. Tovreaville Rd. In collaboration with Naco Heritage Alliance and Durazo Construction Find out more about upcoming opportunities at this informal event. We are seeking licensed, bonded and insured contractors in HVAC, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, roofing, painting, concrete, windows and doors, carpentry, drywall, and low voltage cabling. Free to attend, refreshments provided.
Date: Saturday, March 22, 6 PM Event Address: Bisbee Mining and Historical Museum Please note: our Fireplace Chat at the Museum has reached capacity, but there is another great opportunity to meet the author and purchase a signed copy of his newest book. Dr. Langellier will be available from noon to 4 at Bisbee Books and Music, located in the Mercantile on Main. Be sure to stop by! Join us for a Question & Answer session and book signing with Buffalo Soldier author and military historian John Langellier, Ph.D. In 1881, the first Buffalo Soldiers arrived in Arizona pursuing elusive Apaches. Over the following decades, African Americans from the Tenth U.S. Cavalry and Twenty-Fourth and Twenty-Fifth Infantry added to the laurels won by the Ninth U.S. Cavalrymen. For more than six decades, Black soldiers served with honor, from campaigns against determined Native Americans to facing dangers along the turbulent border as the Mexican Revolution raged. During the dark days of World War II, they prepared for combat against foes both abroad and at home. All the while, they faced an ever-present, persistent enemy: racism. Author John P. Langellier brings to life the rich history of Buffalo Soldiers in the Copper State. Registration is required for this event, as there are a limited number of spaces available. Register HERE
Register for the lecture HERE
Camp Naco Meet and Greet with Executive Director Jeremy Fricke Wednesday, December 18, 4-6pm Meet our first Executive Director Jeremy Fricke (pronounced Frik-ē) in the Bisbee Council Chambers, 915 S. Tovreaville Rd. Informally connect with Jeremy beginning at 4 followed by a project status presentation at 5pm. Light refreshments will be provided.
Camp Naco Fireplace Chat Bill Cavaliere - The Chiricahua Apaches November 9, 2024, 2-4pm Camp Naco, AZ Registration is now closed, capacity has been reached. Bill Cavaliere will present a Q and A on the topic of the Chiricahua Apaches next month. Following the discussion, Becky Orozco will guide a walking tour through historic Camp Naco, likely the last one before construction begins! Bill is the author of The Chiricahua Apaches: A Concise History, an overview of the entire history of this particular tribe of fascinating Native Americans covering their arrival in the southwest, their culture, their notable people, their many conflicts and battles, and where they are today. Their story is one of perseverance and tenacity, of courage and sorrow, and of triumph and tragedy. A fiction writer could not have come up with a more unbelievable story; one filled with action, interesting people, emotion, and uncanny twists of fate. Bill Cavaliere is an independent researcher who retired after 28 years in law enforcement, during which time he was sheriff of Hidalgo County, New Mexico. Prior to this, he was employed with the US Forest Service in the Chiricahua Mountains of Arizona. He is currently president of the Cochise County Historical Society and sits on the board of directors of two other historical societies as well. He is currently working on a biography on Naiche, the last chief of the Chiricahua Apaches.
