Press Releases
On this page we will be posting current news about things happening in and around Tombstone. Please contact the Chamber of Commerce at 520-457-9317 if additional information is needed.
New-Old Gravemarkers at Boothill
From The Tombstone News January 23, 2009
"One of the most common complaints from tourists and citizens of Tombstone alike are the metal plot markers in the Boothill Cemetery. To correct this, Mayor Escapule has given Councilman Troncale permission to pursue the replacement of the metal markers with markers that are historically accurate. On Tuesday, January 20th a meeting was held at the Tombstone Restoration Commission office to discuss this issue. The meeting included members of the TRC board, a general contractor, and Councilman Troncale. The contractor, who is familiar with cemetery restorations, provided sketches of various marker designs that would be appropriate for Boothill. These markers would be made of either Redwood or a synthetic material that looks like weathered wood."....
Miss Arizona Has Ties to Tombstone
From The Tombstone News January 23, 2009
Buena High School graduate Erin Nurss, represented Arizona in the Miss America Pageant on January 24th in Las Vegas, Nevada. Erin was crowned Miss Sierra Vista in 2006 and Miss Arizona in 2008 after winning Miss Tucson Valley earlier in 2008. Erin is a student at the University of Arizona and has a bachelor's degree in nutrition.....Erin is the dauther of Mike and Terry Moncayo Nurss, both Tombstone High School graduates. She is the great-niece of John and Irma Escarega and grand-daugher of Rosie and Joe Moncayo of Tombstone"..
Tombstone is a Preserve America Community!
From Tombstone Chamber of Commerce
Mrs. Laura Bush Designates Tombstone, Arizona a Preserve America Community
WASHINGTON, D.C Tombstone, Arizona was recently honored when First Lady Laura Bush, Honorary Chair of the Preserve America initiative, designated it as one of the nation’s newest Preserve America Communities.
“Preserve America Communities demonstrate that they are committed to preserving America’s heritage while ensuring a future filled with opportunities for learning and enjoyment,” Mrs. Bush said. “This community designation program, combined with the Preserve America Grant Program, Preserve America Presidential Awards, and other federal support, provides strong incentives for continued preservation of our cultural and natural heritage resources. I commend you for your commitment to preserving an important part of our nation’s historic past for visitors, neighbors, and, most importantly, for children.”
Dustin L. Escapule, Mayor of the City of Tombstone received a letter and will receive a certificate of designation signed by Mrs. Bush announcing Tombstone is now a Preserve AmericaCommunity. Communities designated through the program receive national recognition for their efforts. Benefits include the right to use the Preserve America logo on signs and promotional materials; eligibility for Preserve America Grants; notification to state tourism offices; and listing in a Web-based directory that showcases Tombstone's preservation efforts and heritage tourism destinations. Preserve America Communities are also featured in National Register Travel Itineraries and in “Teaching With Historic Places” curricular materials created by the National Park Service.
In 2006, Preserve America Grants totaling nearly $5 million were awarded to 68 projects around the country. Nearly $5 million will be awarded in 2007, as well. President Bush’s fiscal year 2008 budget requests $10 million in grant funds for which designated Preserve America Communities may apply. Grants of $20,000 to $150,000 are awarded on a competitive, matching fund basis to help communities develop sustainable management strategies and sound business practices for the continued preservation and use of their heritage assets. The grants support research, planning, marketing, interpretation, and training efforts.
The Preserve America initiative is a White House effort to encourage and support community efforts to preserve and enjoy America’s priceless cultural and natural heritage. The goals of the initiative include a greater shared knowledge about the nation’s past; strengthened regional identities and local pride; increased local participation in preserving the country’s cultural and natural heritage assets; and support for the economic vitality of our communities.
“Sustainable historic preservation is a wise investment in the future, not a cost for maintaining the past. Communities and the nation receive significant economic, educational, and cultural benefits, including heritage tourism, in return for their preservation efforts,” said John L. Nau, III, chairman of the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, which administers Preserve America programs for the White House in cooperation with the Department of the Interior.
The White House is working with the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, the U.S. Departments of Agriculture, Commerce, Defense, Education, Housing and Urban Development, Interior, and Transportation, the General Services Administration, the Institute of Museum and Library Services, the National Endowment for the Humanities, the President’s Council on Environmental Quality, and the President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities to implement Preserve America. For more information about the initiative and its programs, visit www.preserveamerica.gov.
