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Fort Tuthill Military Museum seeks sustained support as visitorship grows; museum outlines exhibit and maintenance needs
Summary
Volunteers running the Fort Tuthill Military Museum briefed the board about the museum’s history, rising visitation, upcoming exhibits (Native American code talkers and women in combat) and operational shortfalls including HVAC and security upgrades; they requested continued partnership and support.
The Fort Tuthill Military Museum provided the Coconino County Board of Supervisors an update on April 1, describing the museum’s origins, its collection and current operating needs as visitation grows.
Museum leaders said the site grew from a volunteer effort into two restored historic fairground buildings and a small, professionally curated museum that documents local National Guard and military history dating from the 19th century through the present. James Denton (museum president) and Eric Orbas (treasurer/secretary) said the museum now functions as a regional repository for artifacts, with an estimated 5,200 visitors in 2024; they said many visitor days come during the county fair and other event weekends.
Planned exhibits include a Native American code‑talkers display and a women‑in‑combat installation; museum leaders said phase‑1 work will produce print and interpretive materials this year and seek audio/visual enhancements in subsequent phases. The museum is largely volunteer-run and relies on donations, small grants and sponsors. Staff said operating and maintenance needs for 2025 total about $45,000, including immediate maintenance items (an HVAC compressor replacement and alarm/surveillance upgrades). Presenters said they currently face an operating shortfall of roughly $22,000.
Museum leaders emphasized educational outreach to schools, noted trip‑advisor rankings and partnerships with Discover Flagstaff and Mother Road Brewery, and asked the board to continue the county’s lease and partnership that supports museum operations on county park property. County staff and several supervisors praised the museum’s volunteer effort and said they would schedule a site tour to evaluate potential county assistance or coordination on fundraising.
Speakers quoted in this article are drawn from the meeting record: James Denton (Fort Tuthill Military Museum president); Eric Orbas (treasurer/secretary); Liz Krug (Assistant Director, Coconino County Parks & Recreation); supervisors who commented during the presentation.
