Cave Creek Museum Presents will host The Unknown Soldier Story on Saturday, November 18, 2023 from 2-4 PM.
Matthew Scott reprises his presentation of how the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery was created, including the selection of the fallen soldier from the battlefields of France was chosen to represent all our fallen military.
It is hard to describe how moving this story is as he describes the emotion-wrenching process as well as the pomp and ceremony that accompanied the soldier’s reunification with his homeland and interment in the crypt at Arlington National Cemetery. Matthew’s research includes the use of a report documented by his grandfather, who was a clerk in the Cemetery Division of the Department of War, and who was directed to document the details of the ceremony in France and the burial in Arlington in November of 1921.
Presenter Matthew Scott is a Life Associate Member of the Society of the Honor Guard, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Scott will talk about the selection and burial of the first Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery.
This story was the catalyst for the Veterans’ Memory Garden. Visit https://cavecreekmuseum.org/veterans-memory-garden-at-the-cave-creek-museum to see details on this project. Visitors may also make a financial or “in-kind” contribution to support this project.
Admission is $10, including an all-day museum pass. (No discounts or Culture Passes will be honored.) FREE for members; advance registration is required.
Arizona Gold Mining Experience ready to roar back
On Saturday, November 11, 2023 from 9-11:15 AM, the Cave Creek Museum brought the Arizona Gold Mining Experience (AZGME) to life with intriguing live demonstrations that take visitors back in time to see how the hard rock ore extraction process was performed. This popular destination event draws crowds from around the country.
The experience continues as guests peer into a mineshaft to show the blasting techniques used by hard rock miners. Next, onto the blacksmith shop for a demonstration of the skills used when parts and tools had to be fabricated onsite.
The excitement builds with the operation of the amazing Golden Reef Stamp Mill and Tramway, Arizona’s only fully operational ten-stamp ore crushing mill. The 10, 1,000-lb. stamps slam down in synchronized motion to pound ore removed from the mine into fine gravel. The stamp mill was brought from its former location at the Golden Reef Mine on Continental Mountain to Cave Creek Museum, which has the only fully operational mining stamp mill in its original mining district in Arizona. The giant stamp mill also is connected to a working tramway and ore carts that carry the ore to be pulverized to the stamp mill.
Guests can try their luck at the gold panning station, where museum volunteers show visitors how to pan for ore and minerals just like the prospectors did. Admission is $15 for adults and children under 12 are free. Reservations are required. Reserve tickets online at cavecreekmuseum.org
Museum Presents features Roger Naylor and “Awesome Arizona”
On Saturday, December 9, 2023 from 2-4 PM, Cave Creek Museum will feature author Roger Naylor and his new book, “Awesome Arizona.”
Award-winning author Naylor joins Cave Creek Museum to share facts and commentary from his new book, “Awesome Arizona: 200 Amazing Facts about the Grand Canyon State.”
“We are so fortunate to host this lover-of-all-things-Arizona as the holiday shopping season begins,” says Evelyn Johnson, executive director for the museum. “A signed book(s) from Roger is a gift that suits every taste and always fits.”
Admission is $10 including am all-day museum pass. Free for museum members. No discounts or culture passes will be honored). Advance registration is required.
Kiwanis Family Friends Day presents National Meet a Miner Day
Kiwanis Family Friends Day in conjunction with Cave Creek Museum present National Meet a Miner Day on Sunday, December 10, 2023 from 2-4 PM. at Cave Creek Museum.
“Have you ever met a miner or a blacksmith?” asks Evelyn Johnson, executive director for the museum.” “Or, have you ever panned for gold? This is your chance to experience a day in the life of a miner and learn about the importance miners have on our life even today. Come celebrate National Meet a Miner Day at the Cave Creek Museum.”
Reservations are encouraged. This event is free, thanks to the generous support of the Kiwanis Club of Carefree.
After seeing the interactive, action-packed experience, Gold Fever lovers can break for lunch then return to be picked up for the three-hour gold mine tour in a unique nine-passenger 4WD Gladiator, which will travel takes them into the Tonto National Forest and the patented Ft. Worth Gold Mine.
The tour ascends them to the Mountain Chaparral vegetation zone with absolutely breathtaking views up to a 4,500-foot elevation.
“The short ride to the summit can be a bit dusty and bouncy but is exhilarating fun with entertaining narration and educational photo stops along the trail,” adds Johnson. “Before heading down to the gold mine, guests can relax in the off-grid small studio/gift shop and enjoy complimentary refreshments with free time to relax on the patio while taking in the jaw-dropping vistas.”
Guests then proceed to the gold mine where they are rewarded with a historic tableau of 1800s artifacts excavated from the Ft. Worth Gold Mine site. This mine was part of the Historic Rackensack Mines, which were instrumental in the founding of Cave Creek, Ariz. People will be able to interact with the knowledgeable guide and follow the same vein of gold that prospector Old Rackensack (Edward G. Cave) chased in 1880.
The Arizona Gold Mining Experience takes place from 9-11:15 AM at the museum. For visitors who wish to enjoy the entire Gold Fever experience, the gold mine tour guide will pick them up at 1 PM for the three-hour adventure. Admission for the AZGME is $15 for adults and children under 12 are free.
Those who want the thrill of the full Gold Fever package will pay for the AZGME and an additional $145 for the three-hour gold mine tour. Visitors can register for one or both experiences that day.
Reservations are required in advance. No cancellations under 60 days. Reserve tickets online at cavecreekmuseum.org as there is a limit for the combined package of experiences. Visitors check in at 9 AM for AZGME and return for pick up to the gold mine tour at 1 PM. Culture passes are not accepted for this event.
“This first-of-its kind adventure tour is the perfect way to spend an exciting day learning about Arizona’s fascinating gold mining history while finding the Gold Fever within yourself,” says Johnson. “And, these experiences make great holiday gifts.”
