Walk through history: Community invited to explore Yuma’s past
February 2, 2026AWC and Arizona Historical Society bring Yuma history to life with walking tours, trivia, and student-curated app
Yuma, Ariz. (February 2, 2025) – This weekend, Arizona Western College (AWC) faculty and staff are partnering with the Arizona Historical Society (AHS) to bring Yuma’s history to life for the community.
A highlight of the event is a walking tour of Historic Downtown Yuma led by representatives from AWC and AHS. Participants can also explore a virtual tour through the Yuma History app, created by AWC students last year.
“We are excited to partner with the Arizona Historical Society for a weekend of Yuma History,” said adjunct professor Ellen Riek. “Events include a Yuma trivia night at Prison Hill Brewery, a Yuma history speaker, and walking tours in downtown Yuma. We will showcase Yuma history via a walking tour guide developed by the Arizona Historical Society, and the AWC student curated Yuma History app funded by an AWC Innovation Fund grant. Join us to learn more about Yuma history!”
Full event details are as follows:
Friday, February 6
• Yuma History Trivia Contest
7 p.m. at Prison Hill Brewery
Saturday, February 7
• Yuma History Talk by Clifford Trafzer
10-11 a.m. at Yuma Heritage Library Auditorium
• Yuma Historical Walking Tour
1-3 p.m. starting from Molina Block
The weekend’s activities are designed for community members to connect with Yuma’s rich past through a blend of traditional storytelling and innovative, student-led projects.
The app, titled “Yuma History Virtual Tour,” details the history of local landmarks and historic figures, including the Lutes Gretna Green Wedding Chapel, United States Camel Corps, and E. F. Sanguinetti. Each stop on the tour was curated by an AWC student as part of their historical research projects for English and History courses. The free app is currently compatible with Apple products and can be found on the App Store by searching “Yuma History Virtual Tour.” Download and explore the Yuma History app here.
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Contact:
Dr. Ellen Riek
Adjunct Professor of English
Arizona Western College
ellen.riek@azwestern.edu
(928) 344-7549