Today we’d like to introduce you to Drew Desmond.
Drew, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Perhaps it was mid-life crisis, but after the passing of my mother, I decided to write regularly if, for nothing else, the mere enjoyment of doing so. Being interested in the history of my adopted hometown of Prescott, I created a blog called “#PrescottAZHistory” in 2015, publicizing it via social media. At first, things were slow. I knew they would be. So, when I had gotten 500 reads my first year, I was not at all discouraged. Then I happened upon a Facebook group called “Celebrating Historic Prescott” founded by author Patricia Ireland-Williams and started sharing some of my articles there. They were received most kindly and started to become popular. It wasn’t too long before Patricia asked me to take over administration of the group and my life began to change. Readership of my blog exploded to 700 reads per day! Eventually, the Arizona editor of The History Press publishing company contacted me about writing a book for them.
I was also noticed by the Prescott Western Heritage Foundation and began writing an article under their banner for a local bi-monthly magazine. It wasn’t long before I was taking their board meeting minutes and they elected me Secretary. The Prescott Western Heritage Foundation is a volunteer, non-profit organization that promotes the history and western heritage of Prescott and Yavapai County. For several years they have been awarding scholarships to young men and women who are interested in continuing the same. The PWHF just completed a long sought vision and the next time you come up to Prescott to cool-off or get a traditional taste of Christmas, you must put it on your to-do list to visit. It’s the Western Heritage Center located across from the Plaza, on historic Whiskey Row, down the block from Gurley St. While neither a museum nor a welcome center, it looks a little like both. Interesting exhibits are displayed from area museums as well as historic artifacts on loan by families who have been in Arizona for generations. Exhibits will rotate and admission is free, so be sure to stop in whenever you’re in downtown Prescott! At its start, the Western Heritage Center will be open Fridays through Sundays, but will soon be open every day. My personal life is spent as a great-grandfather and patriarch of my family.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Although I’m proud as Secretary to tell you about the new Western Heritage Center in Prescott, in no way should I receive accolades for its creation. People too numerous to mention, (save Founder Dennis Gallagher,) have been climbing this mountain from its base for several years, while I helicoptered in a year or two ago. Of course, there were many challenges along the way, but good, old, Arizona stick-to-it-ness ruled the day in the end. That quality in itself is a proud part of western heritage.
We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
I’m a writer of Prescott and Yavapai County history primarily with my weekly “#PrescottAZHistory” blog. To date, it features over 180 articles that have been read more than 375,000 times. 15% of my readership is from people abroad. I’ve also written for local magazines and the local paper. Currently, I’m working on a book with co-author Bradley Courtney entitled “Murder and Mayhem in Prescott” which is due on shelves September 2020 by The History Press.
What have been some of the most important lessons you’ve learned over the course of your career?
It’s NEVER too late to do what you love!
Contact Info:
- Address: Western Heritage Center, 156 1/2 Montezuma St. Prescott, AZ 86301
- Website: prescottazhistory.blogspot.com
- Email: prescottazhistory@yahoo.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/prescottazhistory/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100008067438999
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/PrescottAZHist
- Other: visitwhc.org
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