Marshall Trimble, Arizona’s Official State Historian
Andrea Hummel
Two states achieved statehood on Valentine’s Day, February 14; Oregon in 1859 and, of course, Arizona in 1912. That means that this year Arizona will celebrate its 105th birthday.
The Friends of the Library at Robson Branch will be celebrating with an afternoon’s entertainment by Arizona’s own Marshall Trimble, Arizona’s Official State Historian. Free open seating will be available from 12:30 p.m. at Sun Lakes United Methodist Church. A donation at the door would be appreciated but is not necessary. Following the program, join the Friends of the Library back at the library for coffee and birthday cake, as well as a meet and greet with Marshall.
Trimble was born in Mesa in 1939 and joined the Marine Corps in 1957. After the Marines, Trimble returned to college and graduated from Arizona State. It was while visiting the Little Big Horn in Montana that Trimble’s life-long passion for Arizona and Western history began. In 1969 he began teaching American history at Coronado High School, but within two years, he was teaching ten sections of Southwest history, playing his guitar and singing to demonstrate how folk music and history were related.
Soon he was teaching Arizona history at Scottsdale Community College, and within three years, it was one of the most popular classes at the college. In 1977 he began serving as director of that school’s Southwest Studies program. He published his first book in 1977 and used his music to liven up promotional book tours. In 1997 the governor of Arizona appointed Trimble Official State Historian. In 2011 the Arizona Centennial Commission honored him as one of Arizona’s Most Inspiring Leaders.
Don’t miss this great birthday party!