In the Strong Green Hills of God: Arizona Roundup Celebrates Sharlot Hall, Nature, and the Human Story

Arizona Roundup, broadcasting from the historic Sharlot Hall Museum in Prescott, Arizona, delivered another rich, soul-warming episode with host Stuart Rosebrook and special guest Maria Icenogle, Educational Director at the Highland Center for Natural History. Together, they wove a tapestry of poetry, natural beauty, early Arizona history, and quiet moments of wonder that shape both childhood memory and community identity.

This episode opened with a gentle, lyrical reading of “A Forest Lullaby” by Sharlot Hall, reminding listeners that Arizona’s beloved poet—often overshadowed by her political and pioneering accomplishments—was first and foremost a gifted literary voice. Hall’s writing, like the state itself, is rooted in keen observation, solitude, and the intimate music of the land. Stuart and Maria placed her alongside figures such as Laura Ingalls Wilder, lifting her from the margins and restoring her rightful place as a foundational voice in Arizona arts and letters.

From there, the program expanded into a thoughtful, often humorous reflection on how people become Arizonans—not by accident or aliens, as Stuart joked—but through journeys shaped by family, health, curiosity, or simply the call of the wide Southwestern sky. Maria shared her small-town Indiana upbringing, a childhood full of creeks, woods, journals, and a stump-desk crafted by her father. It was a childhood that eerily echoed Sharlot Hall’s own formative experiences: quiet observation, a strong sense of place, and a deep intimacy with nature.

Both Stuart and Maria recalled influential teachers who opened the world through poetry and literature. They reminded listeners that the most transformative moments in life are often quiet—“not the ones with exclamation points,” as Maria said, but the subtle turning points: a book, a walk under tall pines, a teacher who simply believed.

The episode also highlighted the Highland Center for Natural History, a beloved Prescott institution nestled in the Prescott National Forest. Maria described the Highland Center as:

• An 80-acre campus of trails, wildlife, gardens, and education

• An off-grid sustainable facility with a nature store, journals, puppets, and irresistible “giant metal bug sculptures” that every nine-year-old loves

• A place where children, adults, naturalists, and new Arizonans discover the essence of the Central Arizona Highlands

From campfire storytelling and wilderness programs to grief-support gatherings among the pines, Maria emphasized that the Highland Center is for everyone—from age nine to ninety.

Stuart also connected the mission of the Highland Center with the broader cultural network of Prescott—the Phippen Museum, the Museum of Indigenous People, the Western Heritage Center, the Center for Natural History, and of course, the Sharlot Hall Museum. This community of museums and educators carries the dual mission of preserving heritage and welcoming newcomers, helping all residents—lifelong or newly arrived—find belonging, purpose, and pride in their shared home.

The program concluded with a stirring reading of Sharlot Hall’s poem “In the Bracken,” a timeless tribute to pine forests, breezes, quail, lizards, chipmunks, and the gentle presence of God in nature. It was a fitting end to a warm and reflective Thanksgiving-season episode—one that lifted hearts while deepening appreciation for Arizona’s land, culture, and community.

Things to Remember

• Sharlot Hall was far more than a politician; she was one of Arizona’s great literary voices whose quiet observations still inspire.

• The Central Arizona Highlands are a unique ecological region—mountains, pines, grasslands, and diverse wildlife that shaped generations.

• Quiet experiences—poems, teachers, walks in nature—often have the deepest impact.

• The cultural institutions of Prescott form a unified community of storytellers, educators, and preservationists.

Things to Share

• Share Sharlot Hall’s poetry with friends or family—her words are windows into early Arizona life.

• Encourage newcomers to visit the Highland Center, Sharlot Hall Museum, and other cultural sites.

• Share stories of your own origins. “How did you become an Arizonan?” is a doorway to connection.

Things to Think About

• What quiet experiences in your childhood shaped you?

• Who helped you see the world through poetry, history, or nature?

• What part of Arizona’s landscape makes you feel most at home?

Possible Actions to Take

• Visit HighlandsCenter.org and sign up for the newsletter.

• Attend upcoming seasonal events such as Winter Luminaria Nights at the Highland Center.

• Plan a visit to Sharlot Hall Museum and explore its exhibits and programs.

• Volunteer—at either institution—to help preserve culture and nature for future generations.

A Closing Note of Inspiration

Just as Sharlot Hall traveled the Santa Fe Trail with observant eyes, and just as Maria journeyed from Indiana woods to Arizona pines, all of us are part of a larger story—one woven from courage, curiosity, community, and place. The Central Arizona Highlands still whisper possibilities to those who listen. May we carry that sense of wonder into our lives, our families, and our community.

For more programs, events, and opportunities to get involved, visit:

Sharlot Hall Museum — Prescott, Arizona

HighlandsCenter.org — Highland Center for Natural History

Both organizations welcome you, your story, and your curiosity.