On Wednesday, May 13, all were welcome to attend this special webinar focused on Camp Naco in southern Arizona near the U.S. border with Mexico. Attendees learned about the challenges and opportunities involved in restoring this culturally significant site.
Presented by the AIA Phoenix Metro’s Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging (EDIB) committee, in recognition of Historic Preservation Month, this was a meaningful conversation on equity in preservation. Camp Naco is a rare and significant historic site with deep cultural layers—originally established as a military outpost for Buffalo Soldiers, and later shaped by Mexican and Indigenous communities. Today, Camp Naco stands as a powerful symbol of shared history, resilience, and the importance of preserving underrepresented narratives within the built environment.
Highlighting the intersection of historic preservation and social equity, speakers discussed the challenges and opportunities involved in restoring culturally significant sites, the role of community engagement in preservation work, and how architects and design professionals can advocate for inclusive storytelling through their practices.
Moderated by Taz Khatri, AIA, Chair of the EDIB Committee and Principal at Taz Khatri Studios; and Anisa Hermosillo-Tronstad, Assoc. AIA, Intern Architect at GH2 Architects, speakers included:
- R. Brooks Jeffery Professor Emeritus of Architecture at the University of Arizona
- Jim McPherson Board President of the Arizona Preservation Foundation and an Arizona Advisor for the National Trust for Historic Preservation
- Corky Poster Architect + Principal at Poster Mirto McDonald
Attendees gained insight into how preservation can serve as a tool for honoring diverse histories, fostering belonging, and creating more equitable communities.