By ksblack99 - Mystery Castle, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=111289849

Preserving Mystery Castle: A Case Study
Webinar Registration

presented by R. Brooks Jeffery
Wednesday, June 3, 2026, from 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. PDT


Thank you for your interest in joining our webinar, "Preserving Mystery Castle: A Case Study," presented by R. Brooks Jeffery on Wednesday, June 3, 2026. The webinar will run from 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. PDT, Arizona time.

The Mystery Castle is a nationally recognized example of folk architecture built in the 1930s by Boyce Luther Gulley for his daughter Mary Lou. Located in the heart of South Phoenix abutting the South Mountain Park & Preserve, the Mystery Castle has suffered from vandalism, harsh weather conditions, and the hand of time forcing it to close to the public in 2022. Recent efforts by the Friends of Mystery Castle, a task force of Preserve Phoenix has brought national attention to the threatened condition of this Phoenix icon including its 2025 designation by the National Trust for Historic Preservation's 11 Most Endangered List. In March 2026, the Mystery Castle Historical Foundation sold the property to Harrell Family of Companies with a commitment to preserve Mystery Castle while creating a destination event venue that allows new generations of Phoenicians to experience this unique landmark. This presentation will outline the process that led to this outcome, using Mystery Castle as a case study to identify key strategies for future preservation projects.

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You are welcome to make a tax-deductible contribution in the amount of your choosing to support the Arizona Preservation Foundation. Your contribution will go towards funding the Foundation's public awareness and education initiatives to raise awareness about the importance of historic preservation, educate the public on the value of preserving our heritage, and engage communities in the safeguarding of our historic buildings, sites, and neighborhoods.
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Presenter

R. Brooks JefferyR. Brooks Jeffery is heritage conservation consultant and Professor Emeritus of Architecture at the University of Arizona dedicated to the sustainable stewardship of our cultural heritage. As a consultant, he’s spearheaded strategic planning efforts to revitalize two high-profile projects – Camp Naco (Cochise County) and Mystery Castle (City of Phoenix) – both designated by the National Trust on their annual 11 Most Endangered Lists. He also serves on the Board of Directors of Patronato San Xavier, the non-profit charged with the conservation of the 18th C. Mission San Xavier, a living church on the Tohono O’odham Nation and southern Arizona’s most popular cultural destination.

QUESTIONS?
Please contact Connie Gutierrez at connie@mcsource.net.