Elisabeth Ruffner Keystone Award for Community Leadership
Starting a new tradition in 2019, the Arizona State Historic Preservation Office, Arizona Preservation Foundation, and host city of the Arizona Historic Preservation Conference have presented the Elisabeth Ruffner Keystone Award for Community Leadership. The award honors individuals whose commercial, political, philanthropic, artistic, planning, or advocacy efforts have contributed to their communities' quality of life, sense of place, and heritage appreciation.
“In construction, the keystone connects and stabilizes the whole, providing necessary support and strength. And our award recognizes community leaders whose motivation and passion have fostered the resources and connections necessary for preservation to thrive within their communities." Kathryn Leonard, State Historic Preservation Officer
“The Keystone Award's namesake, Elisabeth Ruffner, was a tireless advocate for historic preservation who devoted her public life to enhancing her hometown of Prescott. She was a co-founder of the Arizona Preservation Foundation back in 1979. This award honors Arizonans who likewise have made their homes better places, enhanced civic identity, and become indispensable Keystones of their communities.” Jim McPherson, Arizona Preservation Foundation Board President
2025 Honoree – Terry Goddard, Phoenix
Terry Goddard has been a key figure in historic preservation in Arizona, particularly in Phoenix. As Mayor of Phoenix in the 1980s, he established the city's first historic preservation program, which led to the protection of landmarks like the Orpheum Theater, Tovrea Castle, and Phoenix Union H.S. buildings on the campus of The University of Arizona Medical School-Phoenix. His leadership helped Phoenix develop one of the most respected preservation programs in the country. Beyond policy, Terry has been hands-on in saving historic structures. One of his most notable projects is the Monroe Street Abbey, a historic church in Phoenix that he helped rescue from demolition. After a fire in 1984, the building was nearly lost, but Terry worked with public, private, and nonprofit organizations to secure funding and prevent its destruction. Over decades, he oversaw its transformation into an event venue, embracing its history while giving it new life. His dedication to preservation earned him a Historic Preservation Leadership Award from the National Trust for Historic Preservation Community Investment Corporation in 2010. Under his guidance, the Trust approved 62 transactions totaling over $355 million in equity and debt, supporting preservation projects across the U.S. In the mid-2010s, Terry also played a key role in the legal battle against the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) over changes to flight paths at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. Phoenix artist Aileen Martinez of Look See Draw was commissioned to create a framed 12" x 18" watercolor painting of the Monroe Street Abbey.
2024 Honoree – Dennis Gallagher, Prescott
Founded in 2012 by Dennis Gallagher, the mission of the Western Heritage Center (WHC) is to “preserve and promote the Prescott area’s western heritage through education, events, art, music, and projects that enhance its western lifestyle, making Prescott and Yavapai County unique and desirable places to live and visit.” To overcome initial funding challenges, Dennis designed a medallion for the Arizona Centennial, raising $15,000 to launch the project. The WHC has since hosted numerous fundraising events, established a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, and created a scholarship program that has awarded 22 $2,000 scholarships to graduating high school students. In 2019, WHC acquired and remodeled a space on Whiskey Row to house exhibits from six regional preservation-related organizations, including the History of Yavapai Law Enforcement, Rough Riders, Arizona Cowboy Poets Gathering, Phippen Museum, Sharlot Hall Museum, and Yavapai Cowbelles, along with a private collection of Prescott Frontier Days Rodeo memorabilia. Since its opening, WHC has added nearly 20 more exhibits and maintained free admission for all visitors, supported by fundraisers, private donors, mercantile sales, a few grants, and volunteers. WHC has welcomed 70,000 visitors from around the world since 2019. Goldmine Jewelers on Whiskey Row was commissioned to design a personalized bolo tie for Dennis.
2023 Honoree – Sandy Chan, Tucson
Sandy Chan served as an academic librarian for 25 years at Pima Community College. She is a former president of the Arizona Genealogical Society and volunteered for nine years at the Arizona Historical Society’s Library and Archives in Tucson. In 2018, she led the development of the Chinese History Lab in collaboration with the Arizona Historical Society and the Tucson Chinese Cultural Center. She also worked with the Vail Preservation Society and the Tucson Transportation Museum on projects related to Chinese railroad laborers in Southern Arizona. Her contributions include helping to create a future public art mural and short film titled The Water Boys, along with an accompanying lesson plan designed to bring Arizona Asian American history into classrooms. Sandy has presented on the history of the Tucson Chinese community for various cultural organizations and conducted research on Tucson’s Chinese grocery stores, highlighting a significant chapter of the city’s history. She also contributed to the University of Arizona’s Mapping Racial Covenants Project and maintains the website The History of Tucson’s Chinese Community. Philabaum Glass Gallery, Arizona's only all-glass art gallery, was commissioned to design Sandy's award.
2022 Honoree – Tina Clark, Yuma
Tina Clark wrote grants that secured more than $10 million in funding for key projects such as the Yuma East Wetlands, Gateway Park, and West Wetlands. When the Great Recession threatened to close both Yuma state parks in 2009, the community had to act swiftly. Drawing on her diverse professional background in archaeology, museum curation, and interior design, Tina stepped in and, within just six months, transformed the museums at the Yuma Territorial Prison and Colorado River State Historic Parks into showpieces capable of sustainable operation. In her “spare” time, Tina devoted herself to preserving many of Yuma’s historic treasures. Notably, she oversaw the rehabilitation of the National Register-listed St. Paul’s Episcopal Church at 637 2nd Avenue, transforming it into a vibrant reception and catering venue. Operating until 2022, “Tina’s Cocina” became known far and wide for its exceptional food, music, and sense of fellowship. Tina also provided vital archaeological monitoring services for the Quechan Indian Tribe on numerous projects, as well as for other sites within the National Historic Landmark. Her passion for local history extended to her legendary downtown Yuma walking “Ghost Tours,” which brought the past to life in a fun and engaging way for residents and visitors alike. Her work with the Arizona Historical Society to rehabilitate the Sanguinetti House into a museum destination reimagined a historically significant space that had grown tired. This effort sparked a broader community initiative to revive the Sanguinetti gardens and develop a shared vision for the revitalization of the Molina Block. Watch this YouTube video of Tina's work. Yuma artist Judy Phillips was commissioned to create the 2022 Keystone Award. Judy's fused glass design depicts the historic Ocean-to-Ocean Bridge and the iconic Yuma Territorial Prison guard tower.
2021 Honoree ~ Darlene Justus, Tempe
Darlene Justus championed the rehabilitation of the 1930 Rose Eisendrath House at 1400 North College Avenue and co-founded the Tempe Historic Preservation Foundation, helping to safeguard the city’s architectural heritage. She was a tireless advocate for preserving the east side of Papago Park, located in Tempe, and played a key role in overseeing the desert landscape restoration of Evelyn Hallman Park in North Tempe. As a leader of the North Tempe Neighborhood Association, Darlene worked diligently to keep questionable and inappropriate businesses out of the area, protecting the character and quality of life in local neighborhoods. Her voice and opinions at Tempe City Council meetings on a wide range of issues have consistently been respected and valued by community members and city leaders alike. Artist Jacob Butler was commissioned to create the 2021 Keystone Award from a laevicardium elatum, the same type of shell found in Arizona's ancient sites and sourced only in the Sea of Cortez. The shell is acid etched with saguaro wine, a 1,400-year-old O’Odham tradition.
2019 Honoree ~ Elisabeth Ruffner, Prescott
Elisabeth Ruffner was instrumental in establishing numerous historic districts and has worked to save more than 700 historic buildings across Arizona, helping to secure each one a listing in the National Register of Historic Places. Her preservation leadership began early as one of the founders of the Arizona Preservation Foundation, where she served as its first president. She also chaired the Prescott Public Library Board and led a successful capital campaign to fund a new library building. Her civic engagement extended to her roles as founding president of the Prescott Area Arts and Humanities Council and president of the Yavapai Heritage Foundation. As Chair of the City of Prescott Mayor’s Committee on Economic Development, Elisabeth authored and saw adopted the Prescott Historic Preservation Ordinance, laying a foundation for long-term community preservation. At the state and national levels, Elisabeth chaired Arizona’s Historic Sites Review Committee, served as an advisor to the National Trust for Historic Preservation, and received a Presidential appointment to the National Commission on Libraries and Information Services. Among her many achievements, she spearheaded the capital campaign to renovate Prescott’s historic Elks Opera House, raising over $1.7 million to ensure its successful restoration and continued use as a community treasure. Artist Jim Sudal, specializing in ceramic murals, tiles, pottery, furniture, lighting and accessories inspired by the plants of the Sonoran Desert, was commissioned to create our first commemorative Keystone award.