New volunteers, a new schedule and lots of new events in the next few months are just some of the additions that the Chamber is implementing in hopes of bringing more visitors to Tombstone's only state park.

Among the changes is the switch to a seven-days-a-week schedule, instead of the five-day schedule that was implemented due to budget cuts.

"I think it's great that it is open more," said first-time Courthouse visitor Chris Ghubril. "I came down to Tombstone on a Tuesday a few months ago, but the Courthouse was closed. I mean, who closes on a Tuesday?"

Ghubril said he was happy that, on his second trip to Tombstone, he was able to tour the Courthouse.

"It's a great place, lots of history. I'm glad the city was able to keep it open," he said.

"It [the seven-days-a-week schedule] has been more beneficial for the visitors," said Park Manager Patricia Moreno. "They were showing up on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and being very disappointed it was closed. Now we have a lot of happy tourists."

Many Tombstone residents are happy to do their part to keep the courthouse open. At least 11 volunteers are signed up now for shifts at the park but Moreno said there are several more people signing up.

"We let them know what our needs are, and they fill those needs," said Moreno, who worked at the park for five years before being hired by the Chamber as the park manager. Moreno is the only paid staff member in the park.

Officials will be holding a volunteer recruitment event on May 8 in the hopes that they can enlist more help. Moreno said that they have a great need for front desk volunteers, who would create time for her to attend to other business. These front desk volunteers would be in charge of taking fees, answering basic questions and selling items in the gift shop.

Moreno said the Courthouse also hopes to launch an interpretive volunteer program. Volunteers who are knowledgeable about specific areas, such as mining, frontier law or ranching, would come dressed in period clothing to answer tourists' questions.

"[This program would] make tourists feel like they're stepping back in time, more of an immersion," said Moreno.

Moreno said they are also looking for people who are knowledgeable about an Old West character they would like to portray.

"It sounds like a fun program," said Ghubril. "Make the history come alive!"
In hopes of attracting more tourists to the Courthouse, the Chamber is hoping that the Courthouse will play a big part in events set for Memorial Day weekend.

The park will host a reenactment of the Spicer hearing, the famous inquest after the O.K. Corral gunfight, on May 29 and 30 in one of the upstairs courtrooms at the Courthouse.

Seating will be limited, with only 40 tickets available for each night. The reenactment will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. on both nights.

Moreno said reservations will be taken in advance. To reserve your tickets, call the Courthouse at (520) 457-3311.

Volunteer Recruitment Session

Sat. May 8, 2010
6 to 8 p.m.
No RSVP needed

For more information,
call Patricia Moreno at (520)
457-3311