Then And Now Historical Photos
Exhibited During October
The Arboretum's iconic Boojum Trees were planted during our founding years; now, 75 years later, the unusual desert plants tower over the Main Trail - and are among the tallest within the United States.
Check out the views below, scenes of BTA back then - juxtaposed alongside their modern day equivalents. Studying and celebrating
the Arboretum's history has been among Mark Siegwarth's goals over the past few years as
Executive Director at BTA. He has taken a particular interest in rare archival images - more than once positioning himself to recreate the same viewpoint that a Depression-era photographer had chosen more than two generations ago.
Enlarged prints from the Arboretum's collection will be exhibited during October in the Visitor Center art gallery alongside their 2012 updates; many of the upated images were taken by longtime BTA annual member Philip Lowe. In this brief interview below, Executive Director Mark Siegwarth describes the exhibit.
Q. In brief, what's the history of these images?
A. "Most of the pictures are from 1924 - 1929. Colonel Thompson passed away in 1930. Kim Stone and Bill Feldman led the charge to digitize these images and Kim continued the project after Bill retired."
Q. What's special about this particular group of one dozen images? were these chosen specifically to illustrate growth of trees around the gardens, buildings, paths?
A. "Kim chose landscape and landmarks that would be easily recognizable. I requested two specific ones be added: one inside and one in front of the Smith Building looking at Picket Post House.
Q. You've taken a personal interest in these "then-and-now" illustrative juxtapositions, whats so compelling about them?
A. "When I first invited to share history lectures that included slideshows of the old images, viewers were interested in the comparisons - the way people dressed back then, the cars; our members who are most intimately familiar with the gardens and trails were also fascinated about 
how the land looked back the 1930s after it had been overgrazed. And seeing these before-and-after 
pictures brings a realization of what had and what can
be accomplished at the Arboretum. One attention-getter is a view
seen through the Smith Building front door -- in my slideshow I usually save this one for the last to prove they are before and after pictures; some people find it hard to believe both scenes depict the same place."
Boyce
Thompson Arboretum is located at Highway 60 milepost #223, just three miles
west of the town of Superior - a drive of about one hour east of Phoenix or
two hours from Tucson (take Oracle Road North to Highway 79 past Florence
to Highway 60, then East for another 12 miles).
During Fall and Winter months exhibits may be seen
in the Visitor Center gallery daily from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
The Arboretum
is an Arizona State Park and daily admission must be paid to enter the Visitor
Center where the gallery is found. Admission is $9 for adults and $4.50 for
ages 5-12. Annual memberships at the Arboretum begin at $45, and include a
year's access, guest passes for your friends and family, along with many other
benefits. A membership may be purchased in the gift shop on the day of your
visit.
Review other recent gallery shows from...
Paul Landau June-September, 2012
Legumes of Arizona March - May, 2012
Michael Madsen February, 2012
Bud HeissNovember-December, 2011
Mesa Art League September-October, 2011
Kim Hosey July-August, 2011
Pima College & CACApril, 2011
Jim Burns March, 2011
Kay Cummings February, 2011
Paul Kinslow January, 2011
Mesa Arts League September, 2010
Rick Cameron April , 2010
Nan
Lawrence March,
2010
Barbara AtkinsonFebruary,
2010
Nancy MatusJanuary,
2010
Barbara CoxDecember, 2009
Margaret WhittakerNovember,
2009
Artists of the Superstitions October, 2009
Marilyn Barton September, 2009
Gila Community College August,
2009
Deborah A. Lee June, 2009
Margie Porter May, 2009
Timm Chapman January, 2009
Paul Kinslow December, 2008
Maggie Leef November 2008
Sharon Sieben October 2008
Nicole
Royse September 2008
Judy
Bottler Photography May 2008
Bob Estrin Photography April 2008
Mary Isham Watercolors March 2008
Susan Strom and Cathy Franklin Lightning Photography
February, 2008
Arizona State Parks Plein Air Paintings
January, 2008
Carolyn Gray & Connie Thomas December, 2007
Jean Sullivan November, 2007
Sue
Cullumber October, 2007
Adriane Grimaldi September, 2007
Mesa Arts League June-July, 2007
Fred Charlton May, 2007
Paul Mudersbach March-April, 2007
Linda Kaiser February, 2007
Edith Kreueger-Nye December, 2006 - January, 2007
Cindy Carrillo October-November, 2006
Bob Rice September, 2006
Bud Heiss July-August, 2006
Mesa Arts League June-July, 2006
Sandy Tracey April-May, 2006
CJ Rider March, 2006
Jessica Green February, 2006
Steve Davidson January, 2006
Don & Carole Schupp December, 2005
Carolyn Gray November, 2005
Martha Burgess October, 2005
Boeing Photographers September, 2005
Lightning Lady Susan Strom July/August, 2005
Mesa Arts League June/July, 2005
Jeanette Bronson May, 2005
Tom Stanley April, 2005
Kathy McClure February-March, 2005
Pam Smyth January, 2005
Tina Faust December, 2004