Valley of the Moon Projects
We are constantly working to improve Valley of the Moon. If you are interested in helping with any of these projects please donate, visit the volunteer page or contact us.
Sponsors can make a big difference
Interested in supporting kindness and imagination? Kind sponsors commit to the care and repair of a particular structure. Interested? Contact us at [email protected]
Interested in supporting kindness and imagination? Kind sponsors commit to the care and repair of a particular structure. Interested? Contact us at [email protected]
Current Projects
A generous donation in the loving memory of Linda Yalkowsky is making preservation of the Enchanted Garden complex possible. These extensive repairs will stabilize the historic material in the Enchanted Garden, George's Rooms and the Rabbit Hole. When completed, nimble adventurers will once again be able to to test their bravery by daring to use the legendary Rabbit Hole Passageway.
Work includes:
Upper thin-shell concrete wall and support
Repair of crack in wall above the pond
Structural crack in the arch over the Rabbit Hole entry
Cantilevered Concrete Planter (Inner Garden Wall)
Seating Area and Buttresses (Cubbies") within the garden:
Interior Spaces: Lower Chamber (George’s Bedroom):
This is truly a transformative gift and a wonderful tribute to Linda Yalkowsky.
Completed Projects
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Historic Condition Assessment & Strategic Preservation Master Plan 2022
Simon Herbert and Poster Mirto McDonald Design & Architectural assessed the condition of our historic structures and created a strategic master plan to guide historic preservation work. The final document explicitly identifies the work needed, rates urgency, and estimates cost. It also provides fresh ideas for improving accessibility without negatively impacting the feeling of being in an enveloping whimsical land.Our Preservation Department Head David Yubeta volunteered his time to envision, steer and polish this document. It will guide us to repair and stabilize our historic structures with the goal of having them be here another hundred years for future generations to enjoy. |
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Infectious Disease Mitigation Upgrades-2020
Union Pacific Foundation made it possible to update our facility to install hands-free fixtures, HEPA air purifiers, an electromagnetic disinfecting sprayer and other equipment and supplies to reduce risk from high touch surfaces and poor ventilation Cathedral Room Window Restoration-- 2019 We removed the window bars that had been added a few decades ago. Howard Koehler hand built beautiful removable wooden window frames that are more in keeping with the building's storybook style. Materials donated by Kathryn Mikronis. This keeps out the rain and liberates the building from the caged appearance the bars had created. It also provides an additional indoor location for theatrical performances. |
Cathedral Room Roof Repair --2019
The Cathedral Room's cement roof was leaking so badly we had to catch the rain inside the house with a bucket. Thanks to David Yubeta, Howard Koehler and Rob Robbins the building is dry and the new desert tan roof paint is a big improvement aesthetically.
The Cathedral Room's cement roof was leaking so badly we had to catch the rain inside the house with a bucket. Thanks to David Yubeta, Howard Koehler and Rob Robbins the building is dry and the new desert tan roof paint is a big improvement aesthetically.
Frank and Rose's Historic Adobe House Restoration --2019
In the Southeast corner of Valley of the Moon there is a little Adobe House. This house was built about 1930 and occupied by Frank and Rose Thibault, a husband and wife who helped George Phar Legler operate Valley of the Moon. Rose was often confined to bed with Rheumatoid Arthritis so George and Frank built the house with a great bank of South facing windows, through which she could look out upon her garden when stuck in bed. Work started in 2015. With the guidance of adobe expert David Yubeta we replaced the roof, repaired adobe brick, created an internal frame and restored windows. This beautiful building will house our archives and provide a much needed indoor educational and work space
Major support for this project was provided by Selika Family Services, Inc; Associated Foundations, Inc; Tucson Historic Preservation Foundation and Hamstra Heating, supplemented by savings from ticket sales and donation box contributions. Additionally board members and volunteers provided free or discounted labor and financial gifts.
In the Southeast corner of Valley of the Moon there is a little Adobe House. This house was built about 1930 and occupied by Frank and Rose Thibault, a husband and wife who helped George Phar Legler operate Valley of the Moon. Rose was often confined to bed with Rheumatoid Arthritis so George and Frank built the house with a great bank of South facing windows, through which she could look out upon her garden when stuck in bed. Work started in 2015. With the guidance of adobe expert David Yubeta we replaced the roof, repaired adobe brick, created an internal frame and restored windows. This beautiful building will house our archives and provide a much needed indoor educational and work space
Major support for this project was provided by Selika Family Services, Inc; Associated Foundations, Inc; Tucson Historic Preservation Foundation and Hamstra Heating, supplemented by savings from ticket sales and donation box contributions. Additionally board members and volunteers provided free or discounted labor and financial gifts.
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Restroom Remodel -- 2018 Clean, well maintained bathrooms may not be glamorous but they are important! Volunteer Brett Koehler designed and implemented a much needed remodel of our bathrooms. He obtained a donation of beautiful tile and other materials from Arizona Tile to replace our well-worn bathroom floors. Pavers donated by Marilyn Cleaver improved the ease of approaching the restrooms in a wheelchair. Brett recruited Howard Koehler and Rob Robbins to help with the labor, Fresh paint and repair of doors finished the project. Enchanted Garden Repairs-- Repairs were made in 2017 by volunteers to the leaking pond and trees with roots threatening the stability of the historic walls were removed. Unfortunately, many plants were lost in this process. Dr Helen Erickson provided suggestions to bring the feeling of this historic landscape back and we are on our way to bringing the garden back. Work is continuing to reinforce the outer walls, repair a significant crack in the lower wall and repair the window.
Butterfly Gardens -- 2016 & 2018
Valley of the Moon is certified as a Monarch Waystation! We collaborated with the Desert Museum, Southeast Arizona Butterfly Association, UA Master Gardeners,and neighborhood green thumbs to restores monarch habitat using milkweed and other plants to support pollinators. On planting day Home Depot lent a stump grinder, eegee's provided lunch and Plants for the Southwest donated a night blooming cereus, Once the plants were established, Rob Robbins used Catalina rock donated by Churchman's Sand and Gravel to create charming garden rock walls with the help of Brett Koehler, resulting in today's beautiful butterfly garden. |
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Front Fence -- 2016 Shari Murphy, volunteer since 1982, donated a significant portion of the money need to to take down and replace the old chain link and barbed wire front fence. This front fence is a beautiful improvement to the Allen Road streetscape. This project would not have been possible without our volunteers and the generosity of the following people and organizations. Valley of the Moon thanks:
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Historic Landmark Designation -- 2015 Thanks to the Tucson Historic Preservation Foundation, the support of our community, and the hard work of the Board of Directors, Valley of the Moon was declared a Tucson Historic Landmark by unanimous decision of the Mayor and Council. The Historic Landmark designation protects Valley of the Moon from development through a voluntary down-zoning. With this protection in place, the support of our visitors, and continuing volunteerism Valley of the Moon will be around to enchant our grandchildren's grandchildren. |
Whimsical Light Pole -- 2014
Our old light was an inefficient 500 watt halogen that threw light in all directions (including in a couple of neighbors' yards). The new fixture uses two 39 watt LED flood lights and puts the light exactly where it is needed.
This project made possible by Brandon Azevedo of Burns Street Creations, Sacra Engineering, Cascade Electric, CalPortland Company, Rob Crosland, Will McConaughy, and other Volunteers.
Accessible Pathways & Parking -- 2014
Donated by Samuel and Linda Yalkowsky
Since its inception Valley of the Moon has had a mission of mental and spiritual health but due to the loose and sandy paths this magical place was difficult to access by those people with mobility impairments. We installed two van-accessible parking spaces and 500 linear feet of pathway throughout the North half of the park (including accessing the bathrooms). The result is wheelchair accessible pathways that blend right into the landscape. Not only are differently-abled guests accomodated, the new pathways improve safety for all
Pond Rehabilitation -- 2014
Thanks to the dedication and hard work of one volunteer we were able to restore two very visible ponds and a waterfall that haven't been run for over 20 years! These long-dry ponds are again a source of beauty at Valley of the Moon.
Thank you to Anthony Johnston for his dedication to this project and seeing it through. These ponds are attracting birds, bobcats, toads, and dragonflies! Megan Bethel's night time camera has even caught use by a great blue heron so big it looked like Big Bird was visiting.
Electrical Replacement North -- 2014
We scrimped and saved and planned and schemed and finally, with the help of a great bunch of volunteers, accomplished the first half of our electrical replacement project in May of 2014. Good electrical work is invisible, and this electrical work was great! Next time you're at Valley of the Moon and the lights stay on, think of this project!
This project was made possible through the accumulated donations of years of visitors, the hard work of a number of volunteers, and the very hard work of Rob Crosland, electrician extraordinaire! Thank you to everyone for making this happen.
We scrimped and saved and planned and schemed and finally, with the help of a great bunch of volunteers, accomplished the first half of our electrical replacement project in May of 2014. Good electrical work is invisible, and this electrical work was great! Next time you're at Valley of the Moon and the lights stay on, think of this project!
This project was made possible through the accumulated donations of years of visitors, the hard work of a number of volunteers, and the very hard work of Rob Crosland, electrician extraordinaire! Thank you to everyone for making this happen.
