Mesa Students Invited to Learn About City History

Mesa Students Invited to Learn About City History

The Mesa Historic Preservation Board and Mesa Historic Preservation Office invite local students to explore their City's past by participating in the annual Historical Essay and Visual Arts Contest. The 2026 theme, "Mesa Through Time: Honoring Our Past, Inspiring Our Future" aligns with the America 250 events organized and promoted by Mesa's A250 Committee in celebration of the 250th birthday of the United States.

The contest is open to all students in kindergarten through twelfth grade, including those attending public, private, charter or home school programs.

The visual arts contest is open to students of all grade levels while the historical essay competition is open to students in grades four through twelve. New this year is the opportunity for groups of three to six students of any age range to participate in a group project instead of an individual entry. Registration is open through March 24.

Visual arts entries may include video production, sketches, painting or building a 3D model. Writing entries may take the form of a historical essay or fictional story inspired by Mesa's history.

Both contests share the same topics:

•Mesa Then & Now - juxtaposing historic landmarks with present-day life

•Preserving the Past - highlighting buildings, people or stories that shaped Mesa

•Mesa's Role in the American Story - linking Mesa to broader U.S. history as part of the America 250 celebration

The group project will involve designing a mural or sign for downtown Mesa that embodies the City's history while capturing its bright future.

All entries must reflect the student's original research, thinking and creative or writing skills.

There are 3 options to sending an entry form and submission:

Mail to:
City of Mesa
Historic Preservation Office
Attn: Dawn Dallman
P.O. Box 1466
Mesa, AZ 85211-1466

Drop off:
(Hours Monday-Thursday 7 a.m. - 6 p.m.)
City of Mesa
Historic Preservation Office
Attn: Dawn Dallman
55 N. Center St.
Mesa, AZ 85201

Email: [email protected]

Mailed entries MUST be postmarked on or before the contest due date of March 24, 2026. Once submitted, projects become property of the Mesa Historic Preservation Board and will not be returned.

The essay and visual arts contests will be judged separately, with awards presented by grade group (K-3, 4-6 and 7-12). All participants will receive a certificate of participation.

Cash awards ranging from $25 to $100 will be awarded to the first-, second- and third-place contest winners in each category for both the students and teachers.

One group project winner will be selected. The student group will receive $300 shared among participants while $100 will be awarded to the teacher.

Winners will be invited to an awards ceremony May 2 at The Post, 26 N. Macdonald, as part of Historic Preservation Month. Additional details and entry forms are available on The Historic Preservation Office's webpage.