Gilbert, Arizona

CHAPTER VIII

New Growth T he Gilbert Historical Society has been preserving artifacts since the late 1960s. Before that, there were many who cared for the histories, memories, and belongings of the early pioneer families. In 1973, there was a resolution by the Gilbert Town Council acknowledging the Gilbert Historical Society and their desire to preserve the past. This pictorial history has been gleaned from the Gilbert Museum archives and from individuals who had personal pictures and histories not yet on file. The Gilbert Historical Society was fortunate to rent the old Gilbert Elementary School building in 1980, where they began displaying the town’s artifacts. A great deal of renova tion was necessary to make the building a

public museum. The efforts of those early society members are not only acknowledged but also greatly appreciated. In 1982, the Gilbert School Board agreed to sell the building and the pres ent site of the museum to the Gilbert Historical Society. Otto and Edna Neely donated three hundred thousand dollars for the purchase and the expense necessary to make a museum of the building. They and other contributors are hon ored in the halls of the Gilbert Historical Museum today. A picture of the museum is shown below. As you wish to become more familiar with the history of Gilbert, the Gilbert Historical Society invites you to come and browse, to reflect, and to appreciate our pioneers. Now we will look at current history being made by the growth of our community.

k Gilbert Historical Museum in 2006

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