The Mesa Historical Museum proudly announces the launch of a capital campaign aimed at revitalizing the historic Lehi Auditorium, transforming it into Play Ball: The Arizona Baseball Museum, showcasing the rich history of baseball and celebrating the various baseball legends who played in Arizona.

History:
The auditorium is a substantial concrete building constructed in 1939 as a Depression-era WPA project. Both the Lehi school and the auditorium are listed on the National Register of Historical Places. After the school was closed in the 1970s, the auditorium continued to serve as a community space for meetings, dances, reunions and other events. However, in the early 2000s, it was deemed to be unsuitable for public use.

Renovations:
The auditorium’s electrical wiring needs to be upgraded, the roof needs to be replaced, the wheelchair ramp and railing must be reconstructed and the outside needs to be stripped of its old peeling paint so it can have a few fresh coats after years of neglect. Renovating the Lehi Auditorium will not only benefit the museum by enhancing our visitor experience, it will also benefit the Mesa community.

Enhancing the Visitor Experience:
During the spring training season, MHM visitation increases by over fifty percent. Imagine if the entire baseball exhibit could be housed within the 4,000 sq ft auditorium! MHM could display all of the baseball stories and memorabilia at one time, giving the visitor a better quality experience as well as attracting more visitors to Mesa

Community Benefits:
Restoring the Lehi Auditorium would also create a venue for people throughout Mesa who want to hold high school reunions, community meetings, etc. The space is large enough to accommodate a baseball exhibit as well as small private events. The rental fees for the space would help make this exhibit self-sustaining and provide a dual use for this historic building.

Join us in preserving a vital part of Mesa’s history. Together we can make a lasting impact on our community!

For more donation options, including our buy-a-brick options, please visit our website: www.mesahistoricalmuseum.com/capital-campaign

Mesa Historical Museum Capital Campaign

By Mesa Historical Society Inc

Mesa Historical Museum Capital Campaign

Auditorium Restoration and Future Play Ball Exhibit Home