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On the west end of Miami, Ariz. stands an old school building. It’s large pillars and architectural design are a true testament to a time of ethnicity and education in early Miami. Today this large historic structure has been partially restored into Bullion Plaza Cultural Center and Museum. After years of hard work by dedicated volunteers, Bullion has been revamped and recreated as a virtual hub of culture and community.
First Vice President and original volunteer Linda Carnahan was on hand to lead visitors through the museum. Carnahan noted that 15 years ago when the Town of Miami bought the building a committee was set to see what the town wanted to do with it. “Everyone wanted a museum,” said Carnahan. Volunteers began to take on the massive restoration process, but it wasn’t until Tom Foster came into the picture that things started to take off. “Tom knew how to get the grants and how to set up exhibits,” said Carnahan. “He came in as a volunteer and quickly became the executive director.”
Foster’s vision for Bullion Plaza has taken the museum to a new level. “I came to Miami in 2001 and started volunteering in 2010,” said Foster. “I have no degree is museology but I have spent a lot of years in research.” Foster Is a one of a kind “hands on” executive director. He does everything from painting rooms to directing museum objectives.
A modest Foster commented that all progress made at Bullion has been due to grants from various organizations, donations from individuals, and the hard work of dedicated volunteers. Organizations such as Freeport McMoRan Copper & Gold, Freeport Foundation, Gila County Board of Supervisors, Untied Fund, and Resolution Copper are just a few of the long list of contributors. “All of these people play a part and because of their partnership we are able to host events now like the Rural Policy Forum,” said Foster. A grant from Freeport allowed for the refurbishing of several old classrooms to be used as room rentals. Today the museum is always busy hosting meetings and other events inside it’s classrooms. “We are trying to really incorporate the rest of our name which is cultural center and museum,” said Foster. “We really want to be a community center of some type.” Rental rooms are $30 an hour. Visitors come in for meetings from Freeport and Capstone along with Arizona Historical Society and Resolution Copper. “We’ve even hosted a few baby showers,” said Foster.
Volunteer Linda Carnahan stressed the importance of having a cultural center in Miami. “We are a community support station,” said Carnahan. “We want people to use the building and we support our community.”
Other projects pursued by the museum include reviving a genuine record of history that could have been lost forever. A few years back another grant from Freeport paid for a research room in the museum that would provide a way to digitalize over a hundred years of the Arizona Silver Belt. Lee Ann Powers has been tirelessly working to transfer microfilm to a working digital copy of the old papers. “When I first started I thought it was going to be automatic,” said Powers. “But with the reels in such poor condition it has taken quite a bit longer.” The years that Powers has digitalized are not in chronological order but are available for research on site. “It’s just fun,” said Powers. “After doing this for a while I’ve connected with so many people.” Powers noted that the time periods that really gage interest are the 1960s and 1970s.
On display at the museum is a variety of objects and photos donated by the residents in an effort to tell the history of Globe-Miami and Gila County. When a visitor first steps into the museum, the Dignitary Room is on the left. This room is full of the pictures and stories of great leaders from the Globe-Miami area. “We are trying to showcase people who came from the area that have done well,” said Carnahan. Among the photographs is a recreation of Senator Hardt’s office and across the hall visitors can see the Rose Mofford Collection. Moving on to the large greeting area visitors can’t help but stop to view the large Linotype printing press on display. “We plan on putting a video display up that will detail the process of printing on this machine,” said Foster. Visitors can then head down the Mineral Hallway where they will find a large mineral collection. Foster noted that Carlota and Freeport have donated some nice minerals and some of the minerals are on loan from the Gila County Historical Society.
Other rooms include the Slavic Cultural Exhibit, Native American and Ranching Room, the McKusick exhibit, a Military Room, and a Mexican Cultural exhibit. Other items showcase the history of mining and the beginnings of Miami.
Looking toward the future Foster’s vision includes air conditioning and heating in all rooms and an elevator that will open up the second floor. “There is a stage up there,” said Foster. “The possibilities of doing dinner theater or plays up there is very exciting.”
The Bullion Plaza Cultural Center and Museum is always looking for new volunteers. If interested in volunteering, visiting the museum, or renting a room please contact at 928-473-3700. Admission is free but donations are appreciated.
Andrea Justice started working for the Copper Area News in Feb. 2013. She is the primary reporter and photographer for Copper Futures, a special edition highlighting exceptional students and athletes from Globe, Miami, and San Carlos. Andrea works as a copy editor for several of the publications produced by Copper Area News. She is the former managing editor of the Arizona Silver Belt and San Carlos Apache Moccasin, and has over 10 years of experience working in a newsroom. She has received awards for photojournalism and design from the Arizona Newspaper Association. Andrea has strong ties to the Globe, Miami and San Carlos communities. She is a Globe High School and Eastern Arizona College graduate. She lives in Globe with her husband, Justin, and their three children, Brandon, Isiah, and Ryliegh.
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