Jack Lasseter is a retired Tucson attorney and lifelong Arizona resident, having called the state home since the age of five. A passionate historian and storyteller, he possesses deep knowledge of Arizona’s history, its diverse peoples, and the rich biological environment of the Sonoran Desert—including its iconic cacti and wildlife. Jack has taught U.S. History at Pima College and has led private tours of Southern Arizona’s historic sites, where he often remarks that he can still “feel the ghosts” of the past. He currently presents lectures at the Western National Parks Association in Oro Valley, the Community Performing Arts Center in Green Valley, and Tubac Presidio State Historic Park. Known for being both highly informative and wonderfully entertaining, Jack brings history to life through engaging storytelling, humor, and insight, making his presentations as memorable as they are educational.
Ken Scoville
Ken Scoville is a native Arizonan with a deep and enduring passion for the history of Tucson, Arizona, and the United States. A retired public-school teacher, he is a recognized local historian and a dedicated advocate for historic preservation. Ken has served on numerous local boards and committees and currently sits on the Tucson–Pima County Historical Commission. Since 1985, he has led walking tours and delivered presentations focused on Tucson’s historic districts, helping audiences understand how the city’s past has shaped the community it is today. He is also the author of Historic Places of Our Republic, a guide designed to support elementary school teachers and parents in teaching United States history. Ken is known for his engaging presentations and his ability to connect history to place in meaningful and accessible ways.
2026 Dates and Lectures
~ January ~
Guest Speaker: Jack Lasseter
Title:The Sonoran Desert, This Place Where We Live
This is Jack’s highly requested talk on the Sonoran Desert surrounding Tucson, which is widely recognized as the lushest desert in the world. With special emphasis on its iconic cacti and diverse plant life, Jack explores the remarkable strategies these species use to survive and thrive in an extremely hot, dry environment. The lecture also highlights the fascinating animals of the Sonoran Desert and Southern Arizona, revealing the complex and vibrant ecosystem that makes this region so unique. You’ll leave saying, “Wow, I didn’t know all that,” and feeling ready to impress your neighbors and winter guests as a true desert expert.
Guest Speaker: Ken Scoville
Title: Arriving in the Old Pueblo: On foot, Horseback, Wagon and stagecoach, Railroad, Automobile, Airplane
Southern Arizona is the historic homeland of the Chiricahua Apache; a people whose leaders left an enduring mark on the history of the American Southwest. Names such as Mangas Coloradas, Victorio, Nana, Loco, Juh, Geronimo, and Cochise continue to resonate today, each representing a powerful and complex story of leadership, resilience, and survival. In this lecture, we will explore the lives and legacies of two of the most influential Chiricahua leaders—Cochise and Geronimo. Through their distinct experiences and leadership styles, this program offers deeper insight into the challenges they faced, the world they navigated, and the lasting impact they had on Southern Arizona and the broader Southwest.
The history of the American West is far more than the story of men alone. In this engaging lecture, Jack shares the fascinating and often overlooked stories of women on the Arizona frontier—women who were resilient, courageous, and instrumental in shaping the region we know today. Through the lives of three remarkable women—an Apache, a Spaniard, and a New Englander—Jack explores the diverse experiences, challenges, and contributions of women from vastly different backgrounds. Though their paths were distinct, each left a lasting imprint on the development and character of the Arizona frontier.
~ April ~
Guest Speaker: Ken Scoville
Title: Surviving Summers in Territorial Tucson before Air Conditioning
