Chris-Town Shopping Center - 24 Arizona Heritage Portraits

The Arizona Heritage Commemorative Portrait Collection features 24 oil-pencil portraits by Roger Whitney. These original portraits honor those who contributed to the growth and development of Arizona. The interests and influence of each prominent figure in Arizona’s state heritage is displayed in the design of each portrait.

This collection was donated to the Arizona Capitol Museum by the Chris-Town Chamber of Commerce and the merchants of the Chris-Town Shopping Center in October 1982. The project was commissioned by the merchants of the Chris-Town Shopping Center for the enjoyment of all Arizona advocates.

With research assistance from the Central Arizona Museum of History, the Arizona Capitol Museum and the Arizona Department of Education, the various activities, and contributions of the figures in the portraits are thoughtfully provided.

The following was adapted from the August 20, 1981 news release (included in the collection) announcing the unveiling of the portraits.

The Chris-Town Shopping Center was the nation's first enclosed shopping mall. As part of their 20th anniversary, the original portraits were displayed at the shopping center from August 24 through September 30, 1981. In celebration, reproductions of the portraits and biographies of each subject were distributed to every school in Arizona in 1981.

The Arizona Capitol Museum hopes that by publishing this collection of oil pencil portraits by Roger Whitney, the legacy of the Chris-Town Shopping Center will be honored as they honor 24 of Arizona's notable "leaders from the fields of education, agriculture, politics, religion, the military and several representatives from Indian cultures."