For Immediate Release
Contact Denise Lopez
(480) 926-1577
 
HD SOUTH-HOME OF THE GILBERT HISTORICAL MUSEUM
EVENTS AND PROGRAMS
August 2026
 
Gilbert, AZ (July 25, 2026 ) – HD SOUTH, Home of the Gilbert Historical Museum, is the East Valley’s arts, culture, & history center and offers a series of exciting and informative programs for people of all ages. These programs are led by artists, historians, storytellers, health and wellness specialists, botanists, and scientists; experts in their field who share their knowledge and skills with our community.  To register, visit www.hdsouth.org/calendar . 
 
August Events 
AMERICANA—ROUTE 66, THE MOTHER ROAD & CELEBRATE THE HOME OF THE BRAVE
On display until August 8^th are works from two American photographers who commemorate the 250th anniversary of the United States of America through their images.  This milestone date in American history will be viewed differently by everyone, so ignoring partisan perspectives and patriotic hype, Gallery 4 showcases a unique presentation of America through the Americana exhibition as seen through the lenses of Kerrick James and Neil A. Miller.  Take time as you walk through the exhibition to connect and visualize your American experiences to the unique imagery from these two photographers.  After decades of photographing Route 66, Kerrick James presents images along Route 66, the Mother Road from Chicago, Illinois to Santa Monica, California. 2026 represents the 100th anniversary of Route 66.  Neil A. Miller crisscrosses the United States with camera in hand to Celebrate the Home of the Brave with photographs of people and places often ignored in travel logs.
GILBERT FINE MINERAL, GEM, AND FOSSIL SHOW
Produced by Les Presmyk/De Natura, HD SOUTH welcomes the 18^th Annual Gilbert Fine Mineral, Gem, and Fossil Show to the Severson Center on Saturday, August 8^th from 9:00am-5:00pm.  The annual “can’t miss” event for rockhounds and mineral lovers of all ages includes free admission and free parking.  With nearly 15 featured vendors, there will be something for everyone! 
FOOD FOR THOUGHT: ADVERTISING MASCOT MEMORABILIA
June 22-August 31, 2026  Since the dawn of modern advertising, bizarre characters have been created and used to promote food. From green giants to doughboys to peanut men, these mascots are as prolific as any pantheon of myth, and they've been immortalized in a variety of collectibles over the years. On display until August 31^st, this collection from Russ Kazmierczak, Jr. represents a very small portion of food mascot merchandise, and it represents the timelessness of their impact on the world's diet.  Exhibit is included with paid museum admission.
 
BLUE STAR MUSEUM
May 25-September 7, 2026  HD SOUTH is proud to be a registered Blue Star Museum participant again this year. Blue Star Museum is a collaboration among the National Endowment for the Arts, Blue Star Families, the Department of Defense, and museums across America to offer free admission to the nation’s active-duty military personnel including National Guard and Reserve and their families each summer.
 
August Programs
LINE DANCING
August 3, 2026 | 7:00pm – 8:00pm   Welcome local instructor Jennifer Sherman as she shares her love of music and dance with line dancing instruction. Come join the fun with upbeat music and line-dancing steps that will boost your energy levels and enliven the spirit. Jennifer has over 20 years of experience in education and has expanded her work to include movement-based teaching. Attendance limited. Registration required. Cost: $12 (to be paid using cash or Venmo at the beginning of class).
REMEMBERING WALLACE AND LADMO
August 4, 2026 | 6:30pm – 8:00pm   Join Steve Hoza, historian extraordinaire and archivist, for an enjoyable evening learning about the children’s TV show Wallace and Ladmo. The popular after-school show entertained children in the Phoenix area for 35 years. All program attendees will be eligible to win prizes after the presentation, including, Ladmo Bags, posters, books, and DVDs. Ages 14 and up. Registration is required. Cost: FREE
WACKO FOR WASTE: UNLOCKING THE MYTHS & MYSTERIES OF ANCIENT EXCREMENT
August 8, 2026 | 10:30am – 12:00pm   Facilitated by Nathanael Brodhagen, a youth fossil collector and naturalist, he will share his vast knowledge about coprolites with program attendees.  Nathanael’s personal collection spans over 100 specimens from all over the world.  He will also share information relating to fossils that have been replaced by minerals, such as rhodochrosite, opal, pyrite, and more.  Voted Junior Rockhound Of The Year by members of the Mineralogical Society of Arizona, Nathanael has earned multiple awards and is an active MSA volunteer. Ages 12 and up. Registration is required. Cost FREE
MINERAL CONNOISSEURSHIP: A COLLECTOR’S GUIDE TO FINE MINERALS
August 8, 2026 | 1:00pm - 2:30pm   A collector for almost 10 years, Hannah Brodhagen quickly learned what made a good mineral specimen and began refining her collection. She seeks out aesthetic, focal crystals perched on matrix that are undamaged, well-terminated, and transparent with good luster and depth of color. Hannah will provide information about her collection and collecting by primarily focusing on worldwide miniature minerals, along with sharing her love for Arizona minerals, including rhodochrosite, her favorite mineral.  Having received multiple awards, including Best Junior Collector, Hannah has also participated in the female collector's exhibition at the Colorado School of Mines Museum, and her collection is currently on loan to the same museum. Ages 12 and up. Registration is required. Cost: FREE
 KARATE FOR ALL AGES
August 10^th, 17^th, 24^th, 2026 | 6:30pm – 7:30pm   Join HD SOUTH as we welcome certified black belt instructors from East Valley Martial Arts who will teach traditional karate to children and adults. Students experience the fun of martial arts while improving fitness and working on goals. In these mixed-age classes, adults and children will learn together. Wear comfortable work-out type clothing and closed-toe shoes. Ages 7 and up. To register, visit www.evma.net.  For more information email evmakarate@gmail.com or call 480-330-8886. 
SELF DEFENSE FOR CHILDREN AND ADULTS
August 11, 2026 | 6:30pm – 7:30pm    Kids ages seven and older, teens, and adults are invited to join certified black belt instructors from East Valley Martial Arts to learn and brush-up on self-defense. Instructors are caring professionals experienced at teaching both kids and adults the life protection arts. Physical techniques for protecting oneself will be covered, as well as “street smarts” and prevention of incidents. Children ages 7 to 12 must have a parent or guardian present with them. Parents/guardians are welcome to join the class, or to sit quietly and observe from the sidelines. Safety is always a priority, and we recommend wearing loose, comfortable clothing. Registration required. Cost: FREE
ART WITH HEART AND SOUND MEDITATION
August 13, 2026 | 6:30pm – 8:00pm   Welcome Debra McVay M. Ed., and Jennifer Sherman M Ed, Sound Meditation Practitioner for an expressive intuitive art class featuring live sound meditation music for adults. Using a guided visualization that will help quiet the busy mind and open a connection to your heart’s intuitive voice, attendees will create meaningful, intuitive artwork using watercolor—no art experience needed, just a willingness to explore and express from within. Registration required. Attendance limited. Cost: FREE
STEM SATURDAY
August 15, 2026 | 1:00pm – 2:30pm   Have fun at the museum on Saturday afternoons with AP teacher Karen Maas, from the Gilbert Classical Academy, and her STEM students as they share a STEM learning adventure with participants. GCA students will introduce a variety of activities including 3D printing with both 3D pens and printers, CAD applications using Tinkercad, Makey Makey apps with fruit, and more! Registration is required. Registration will close at 12pm on Friday. Cost: FREE
FAMILY HISTORY: VITAL RECORDS – BIRTH, MARRIAGE, AND DEATH
August 18, 2026 | 6:30pm – 8:00pm   Join ASU professor emeritus Duane Roen, founding coordinator for the Project for Writing and Recording Family History in the College of Integrative Science and Arts, for this unique family history workshop.  Counties and states have maintained vital records since the middle of the 1800s, but some states didn’t start doing that until the early 1900’. In this workshop, we will review the ways to access these records and how to use them. We ill also talk about ways to find and access birth, marriage, and death record before government agencies-both in the U.S. and in other countries-started maintaining them. We also talk about the kinds of information that can be found on these records. Bring a laptop, or notepad and pen. Ages 14 and up. Registration required. Cost: FREE
TAOIST TAI CHI
August 19, 2026 | 6:30pm – 7:30pm   Improve Balance ~ Maintain Health ~ Strengthen Focus – Welcome Janice Motoike with TTCSUSA as she shares this unique health and wellness program where attendees will have the opportunity to learn about Taoist Tai Chi arts using some of the 108 movements in their unique set. Experience how a regular tai chi practice provides a positive impact on body, mind, and spirit. Whether you are looking to reduce stress, maintain health, or find deeper meaning, Taoist Tai Chi arts can help at every stage of life. Ages 14 and up. Attendance limited. Registration required. Cost: $5.
 SOUND MEDITATION FOR GRIEF
August 25, 2026 | 6:30pm – 7:30pm   Join Stuart Preston, a certified Sound Practitioner, for a deeply empathetic Sound Meditation Session designed for those grappling with deep grief and loss. It’s not about moving on but finding moments of peace and clarity amidst sorrow. Bring a yoga mat, blankets, and a pillow to create your personal sanctuary. Dress comfortably and arrive 10 minutes early. Learn more about Stuart and this unique practice at www.LaoStu.com. Registration is required due to limited space. Ages 16 & up. Cost: $5 per person
FAMILY HISTORY RESEARCH: USING ARCHIVES- 
August 27, 2026 | 6:30pm - 8:00pm   Join ASU professor emeritus Duane Roen, founding coordinator for the Project for Writing and Recording Family History in the College of Integrative Science and Arts, for this unique family history workshop. All states, most counties, and may cities have historical societies that offer a range of programs for historical research. Also, they often have archives of documents that may not be available elsewhere. We will talk about how to connect with these institutions and how to use their services and materials—even if we don’t live near them. Further, we will talk about the historical archives maintained by government agencies such as the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). Bring a laptop, or notepad and pen. Ages 14 and up. Registration required. Cost: FREE
 
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About HD SOUTH: Originally opened as Gilbert Elementary School in 1913, HD SOUTH—Home of The Gilbert Historical Museum, is the oldest building still standing in Gilbert and is the only one on the National Register of Historic Places.  The museum has made great strides to become one of Arizona’s premier community history museums as well as a center for arts and culture.  HD SOUTH is the vibrant cornerstone of an intergenerational community that celebrates the past, inspires unity of all people, and cultivates life-enriching collaboration.  The programs and events at HD SOUTH focus on six community pillars and are designed for all generations.  These pillars include History, Health & Wellness, Science, Literature, Art, and Music.   A private 501(c)3 non-profit, HD SOUTH is a catalyst for connection while bridging generations and maintaining a stewardship of history.  For more information and to see our calendar of events, visit www.hdsouth.org