jerome historical society
Strategic Plan 2002-2008
The mission of the Jerome Historical Society is to protect, preserve, and present the unique physical and cultural history of Jerome through its buildings, architecture, research archives, museum, and other programs for the benefit of residents and current and future generations.
Strategic Plan Summary
Development of the Jerome Historical Society’s first detailed five-year strategic plan began in April of 2002 and concluded in March of 2003. Dr. Marshall Whitmire, an organizational development consultant, whose services were largely paid for from a planning grant from the National Trust for Historic Preservation, facilitated the self-assessment and planning process.
The planning work was primarily carried out during a series of Society board and staff meetings during which brainstorming and consensus reaching processes were used to clarify and revise the organization’s mission and to develop vision, major function, strategy, and goal statements. Detailed objectives were then formulated to support the six major goals that were developed. Accountability assignments for achievement of the objectives along with forecasted budget requirements were also established. Finally, the organizational structure of the Society was reviewed and modified to support the mission and goal framework.
A brief annual board review and updating of the strategic plan will be instituted. During this process, special emphasis will be placed on the status of goal achievement and the adequacy of resources to support their achievement.
In developing the new strategic plan, these items were created: Mission Statement, Vision Statement, Strategies, Goals, and Objectives. Major Functions of the Jerome Historical Society were also identified.
Vision Statement
The vision of The Jerome Historical Society (JHS) is a historical Jerome that is effectively preserved through the continuing creative efforts of the society and general citizenry. There will be a robust arts community, and the high school complex will be a vibrant social, cultural and economic center for the town. Parking and public transportation for residents and visitors alike will be adequate and reasonably convenient.
JHS will develop and effectively use its real estate holdings to help achieve the organization’s mission, and a majority of Jerome households will become members of the society. The museum will be enlarged and regarded as a destination historical museum in Arizona. In addition, mini-museums/historical displays will be located throughout the town, and a mine tour will be developed. The society’s archives will be completely catalogued and serve as an important research resource for scholars and other qualified individuals. Finally, JHS will collaborate with other organizations to provide regular, quality historical education programs to Verde Valley grade and high school students and make those programs available to other interested groups.
History of JHS
For more than half a century, Jerome was virtual a ghost town. It wasn’t until the formation of the Jerome Historical Society in 1953 and the opening of the Jerome Mine Museum that the town came alive. When the mines closed in the 1950s, the population of Jerome dwindled to a handful of people. The historical society struggled to keep Jerome alive, trying to achieve their dream of making Jerome the "greatest outdoor museum." In 1956 the society completed negotiations with Phelps Dodge assuring that no more buildings would be torn down in the main part of Ghost City. In addition, the society succeeded in purchasing most of uptown Jerome, securing Main Street. Today, the Jerome Historical Society owns eight commercial buildings. The balance of the buildings owned by the society were sold back to the community or persons interested in historic restoration.
"…protect, preserve and present the unique physical and natural history of Jerome…for the benefit of residents and current and future generations."
