About Us - Mesa Preservation Foundation

Why Preservation Matters?

Threatened historic properties are like endangered species. Once they are gone they are gone forever. As with at-risk plants and animals only we can protect them. It is our responsibility to preserve our material history for future generations.

Today is tomorrow’s history
Preservation protects the past
Preservation saves at-risk old neighborhoods
Preservation is a wise reinvestment in and good for the local economy
Preservation utilizes local resources – materials and labor
Preservation increases property values
Preservation is good for the environment
Preservation recycles rather than replaces
Preservation is unique. There is nothing else quite like visiting, living or working in an historic building
In planning for the future, we must respect the past

When you think about it, historic preservation is much more than just old buildings.

Mesa Preservation Foundation Timeline

2025

The MPF continues to work on acquiring orphaned and abandoned neon signs. It is now recognized as the Valley leader in neon restoration and public display.
The Neon Garden featuring, five restored neon signs receives a 2025 Governor’s Heritage Preservation Honor Awards at the annual Arizona Historic Preservation Conference.
On May 15, the ribbon cutting and opening of the Neon Garden was attended by more than 500 neon lovers. For its effort, the MPF was recognized for its contributions.
Through the years, the MPF has actively in engaged in community education and activism. It works closely with the city appointed Mesa Historic Preservation Board, and the Mesa Historical Museum. With community support, much more is to come.

2024

The MPF begins working with the city on creation of the Neon Garden – once the bleak, asphalt storage area for postal vehicles. The MPF contributed materially to the process of the neon restoration.

2023

After a couple of years of construction, the restored 1936 Federal Post Office grand opening was held on November 2. The MPF was recognized for its years pressuring to restore and reopen the building.

2022

After sitting idle for two decades after the Federal government transferred ownership to Mesa, the MPF was instrumental in working with the City of Mesa to restore the 1936 Post Office, and reopen it for public use. The council approved $8.4 million for the renovation project.

2017

Worked closely with the City of Mesa to begin saving neon signs along Main Street that would otherwise be lost because of the light rail extension from Longmore to Gilbert Drive. The monumental Sally’s Fabrics sign was the first. Since then, the MPF has rescued nearly two dozen signs. And placed them safely in a secure city-provided storage area.

2015

Worked with Valley Metro to create five history panels describing life and activities around each light rail platform
Created and funded an updated Mesa Historic Downtown Walking Tour Guide
Helped raise funds for signs manufacture and installation commemorating historic highways 60-70-80 & 89

2014

Began efforts to work with city of Mesa to remove downtown Colonnade, restore historic facades and create a downtown Mesa Commercial Historic District
Began program to identify and save “orphaned” neon signs in a neon district for future generations

2013

Successfully restored and reinstalled the Diving Lady sign. More than 1000 attended.
Authored a pioneering Conservation Easement protecting the public’s investments in the Diving Lady restoration
Hosted the 11th Annual Arizona Historic Preservation Conference in Mesa
Hosted a Historic Homeowners Expo to provide property owners with information about researching, historic districts and listing historic properties
Received the Governor’s Heritage Preservation Honor Award for successfully leading the effort to restore the iconic Diving Lady neon sign, and its rededication
Created a public awareness campaign to highlight the significant history of the Mesa Citrus Growers Building

2012

Worked with New York artist Mary Anne Erickson to create a limited-edition print of the Diving Lady – a portion of the proceeds to benefit the Diving Lady restoration
MPF created a limited-edition Diving Lady tie to raise money for the sign’s restoration
MPF receives Mesa’s Historic Preservation award for Outstanding Achievement in Leadership for Activism and Education in Historic Preservation
Board member Preservation Architect Ron Peters receives Mesa’s Historic Preservation Award for Outstanding Achievement in Restoration of the Alston House
Board Member nominates the old Mesa Library (now the IT Building) as a Mesa Historic Landmark

2011

Recognized by the IRS as a 501(c)(3) non-profit
Saved for future generations the East Valley Tribune archives that otherwise would have been lost
Led the effort to bring the purchase of the Buckhorn Baths to the number one position on Scott Smith’s iMesa list
Led the effort to secure bond funding for the acquisition of the Buckhorn Baths
Hosted a major Diving Lady fundraiser at Fiesta Mall
Displayed completed Diving Lady figures and MOTEL letters at Fiesta and Superstition Springs Malls

2010

In December, the MPF was officially incorporated in Arizona. It was also the year Alice Sliger passed away less than a month from 104^th
For the work with the Diving Lady, and the Buckhorn, the MPF needed to become a 501(c)(3), non-profit corporation. It was the most effective manner to collect tax deductible donations and contributions.
In October, a powerful microburst, toppled the 60’ Diving Lady neon sign at the Starlite Motel at Lindsay and Main. That diverted the Buckhorn effort to focus on rescuing the badly damaged sign. And restore it.
Summer – is the informal beginning of the MPF. A small group, who would later be the founders, gathered to fulfill a request from Alice Sliger, who with her husband Ted founded the famous Buckhorn Baths in 1936. As she was approaching her 104^th birthday, she was concerned about securing the future of the Buckhorn as a legacy of what she and Ted started. She was seeking help in accomplishing that.