The year 2020 commemorates the 50th Anniversary of the Cave Creek Museum, repository of the Cave Creek and Carefree area’s history, culture and artifacts. For its October 2019 – May 2020 season, the Foothills-based non-profit museum willfeature the work of architectural designer and builder, Gerry Jones, whose career spans more than 65 years in the Valley. Gerry Jones was a pioneer in developing Carefree, Arizona, originally a 2,200 acre planned community established by Tom Darlington and KT Palmer between 1957-1959.
Jones realized their vision by laying out the roads and lots, then designing and building many of Carefree’s finest homes. He developed a new concept of land-fit architecture summed up in his paper, “Must We Destroy in Order to Build?” whichbecame the basis of the Town of Carefree’s architectural guidelines. Jones’dedication to preserving the mountainous terrain and respecting the natural contours of his building sites led to years as an instructor at Frank Lloyd Wright’s School of Architecture.
Jones also wrote Maricopa County’s first hillside building ordinance, which protects local mountains yet today. The Cave Creek Museum is hosting related celebratory events including:
• VIP Fundraiser at the private home of Leslie and Gerry Jones
• A lecture by Jones at Carefree Town Council Chambers
• Kids’ Workshop at the museum
• Home Tour featuring area homes built by Jones.
Learn more by visiting the Cave Creek Museum – 6140 E. Skyline Drive in CaveCreek; www.cavecreekmuseum.org; or call 480-488-2764
