Herb Drinkwater and the artistic Flagg family came from different eras and backgrounds, but they both shaped Scottsdale in distinct and colorful ways.
Their stories and contributions will be part of new exhibits this fall as the Scottsdale Historical Museum celebrates its 25th anniversary.
The exhibits, featuring rare artwork and memorabilia, will be unveiled during a free program from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Oct. 20 at the museum, 7333 E. Scottsdale Mall.
The museum is located in the Little Red Schoolhouse, which was built in 1909 as Scottsdale’s grammar school and is on the National Register of Historic Places.
Drinkwater was a four-term mayor of Scottsdale and one of the most popular politicians in Arizona history. He left office in 1996 and passed away from cancer two years later at age 61.
The Flagg family – brothers Dee and Monte, and sisters Irene Rita and Claudine – were all local artists whose work appeared in galleries and stores beginning in the 1950s. They were pioneers of Scottsdale’s emerging tourism and art industries.
The museum exhibit will feature carvings, prints and art tools from the Flagg family. Rare mementos and personal items on loan from the Drinkwater family also will be on display. They tell the story of “Mayor Herb” from his beginnings as a rural Scottsdale store owner through his political career as a councilman, mayor and Arizona icon.
The non-profit Scottsdale Historical Museum seeks to celebrate and preserve Scottsdale’s history while recognizing the people and events that built and continue to create one of America’s premier communities.
For more information on the museum, visit http://www.scottsdalemuseum.com.
