Treasure Flagstaff: Celebrating History, Building Community
Historic preservation means more than saving buildings. It also means sharing stories, celebrating local character, and helping people understand what makes a community special. In Flagstaff, Treasure Flagstaff brings history to life through educational programs, creative projects, and community engagement.
Treasure Flagstaff is the educational arm of Townsite Community Land Trust (TCLT), a nonprofit dedicated to historic preservation and permanently affordable homeownership. While TCLT rehabilitates historic homes and helps make homeownership more accessible, Treasure Flagstaff extends that mission through activities that celebrate Flagstaff’s heritage and connect people with their community.
FlagTown Pins: History You Can Wear
One of Treasure Flagstaff’s signature projects is FlagTown Pins, a collection of cloisonné enamel lapel pins celebrating Flagstaff’s historic buildings and signs.
Featured landmarks include the Museum Club, the neon sky sign at Motel Du Beau, the historic railroad depot, and the Weatherford Hotel. Each pin comes mounted on a colorful postcard featuring an image of the landmark and information about its history.
These collectibles make memorable gifts for residents, former residents, and visitors while encouraging people to discover the stories behind Flagstaff’s distinctive places. FlagTown Pins are available for purchase through the TCLT website, with proceeds supporting the organization’s historic preservation and affordable housing work.
FlagTown Pins demonstrate that anyone can participate in historic preservation by learning about local landmarks and sharing their stories.
History Happy Hour: Learning in Good Company
Treasure Flagstaff also sponsors monthly History Happy Hour events, offering informal gatherings that combine engaging presentations about Flagstaff and Northern Arizona with community conversation.
These events are free and open to the public, making them an easy way for residents and visitors to explore the region’s rich history, learn from knowledgeable speakers, and connect with others who share an interest in local heritage.
Hosting educational events in historic settings also reinforces the value of these places as active community assets. They aren’t simply reminders of the past; they’re places where people can continue gathering, learning, and making memories.
Bringing History into Civic Conversations
Treasure Flagstaff’s educational mission extends beyond traditional history programs.
In 2026, Treasure Flagstaff partnered with the Northern Arizona Pioneers’ Historical Society to sponsor a candidate forum focused on historic preservation. Local decisions about development, planning, housing, and public investment can have lasting consequences for historic buildings and neighborhoods. By bringing preservation into civic discussions, Treasure Flagstaff helps residents and community leaders consider how Flagstaff’s heritage fits into its future.
The message is simple: protecting historic resources requires not only caring for buildings but also engaging informed citizens and decision-makers.
Connecting Preservation and Community
Treasure Flagstaff complements TCLT’s work to preserve historic homes while supporting long-term housing affordability.
Through its community land trust model, TCLT rehabilitates historic properties and helps make homeownership more accessible. Treasure Flagstaff builds on that commitment by helping the wider community understand and appreciate the places that define Flagstaff.
Whether someone purchases a FlagTown Pin, attends a History Happy Hour, or participates in a public forum, each activity offers an opportunity to discover something new about the community.
Treasure Flagstaff makes history accessible, engaging, and relevant to everyday life. Its programs remind us that preserving a community’s heritage isn’t just about protecting what came before. It’s also about strengthening connections and creating a future that values the places and stories that make Flagstaff unique.
Get Involved
Explore FlagTown Pins, find information about upcoming History Happy Hour events, and learn more about Treasure Flagstaff and Townsite Community Land Trust at townsiteclt.org.
Flagstaff’s history belongs to its community. Treasure Flagstaff helps ensure those stories continue to be shared with future generations.
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