Giving back to others is critically essential to non-profits in every community, however for Stephanie Bradley, it has been an educational and rewarding endeavor at Cave Creek Museum for more than 29 years.
After moving to Arizona from Connecticut (she is a Massachusetts native), Bradley was looking for a more rural area to live and discovered Cave Creek, Ariz., After settling in, she began searching for interesting things to do and explore. A local ad led her to find out more about Cave Creek’s historic museum. She met the museum leadership and got involved initially as the museum’s newsletter editor.
Bradley now is one of the museum’s superstars, having served the organization with aplomb since 1995.
Next, she became a docent (volunteer). Using her experience with the Desert Awareness Committee, she joined a team in creating Cave Creek Museum’s remarkable flora and fauna diorama exhibits, which remain a centerpiece in the museum lobby. The committee funded the effort at the time and today, it is very popular with visitors.
“I enjoyed learning everything and doing whatever was needed,” says Bradley. “ I later agreed to provide publicity for local Cave Creek residents who knew little about its significance in the community. This museum sits in a historical mining district and is rich in incredible stories that provide important connections for residents and visitors alike. This community is very special and volunteering here is a choice. I do it because I really enjoy it.”
In 1998, she became a museum board member and began another level of service.
Today, Bradley continues serving as a docent; she writes and researches various subjects on behalf of the museum; assists with creating exhibits; and is a wildly popular speaker who talks often to the public about Black Mountain, the boulders in Carefree and other unique geologic aspects of Cave Creek, Carefree and the surrounding area. After all, she is a geologist who studied at the University of Massachusetts and formerly was a science teacher.
“Stephanie has done incredible things for our museum and we can’t thank her enough for her extensive service,” says Evelyn Johnson, executive director for the museum. ”Her legacy is unmatched and we are blessed to have her as part of our volunteer team.”
The 54-year-old museum’s mission is to preserve the artifacts of the prehistory, history, culture and legacy of the Cave Creek Mining District and the Cave Creek/Carefree foothills area through education, research and interpretive exhibits. The Cave Creek Museum is located at 6140 E. Skyline Drive in Cave Creek, Ariz. Open October through May. The museum can be reached at 480.488.2764 or cavecreekmuseum.org
Where History Comes Alive.
PHOTO courtesy Fran Booth, ABC
CONTACT: Fran Booth, ABC/602.400.3330
