Arizona: Centennial Wagon Project
THE QUESTERS KEEP HISTORY ALIVE: ARIZONA’S CENNTENNIAL WAGON PROJECT
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[AUGUST 8/2026] The Arizona chapters of THE QUESTERS, Thumb Butte #1284 and Yavapai #1506 of Prescott, have partnered for many years in not only fundraising but frequently jointly supporting preservation and restoration projects. The shared fundraising activity is their annual event The Prescott Antique Show & Vintage Market which has generated more than $150,000 over time. One of our most recent shared projects is the restoration of Arizona's Bicentennial Wagon (the locals refer to it as the Bud Brown Wagon) - just in time for the America 250 celebration. The wagon has made its home for many years in Prescott at the Sharlot Hall Museum where it is prominently displayed in the Transportation Building.
Thumb Butte chapter donated $5,000 to the project and Yavapai donated $3000 to cover the cost of restoring the wagon wheels and replicating the wagon cover which had seen much wear and tear during the wagon's journey over land -- and other means of transportation -- from Yuma, Arizona on January 14, 1976 to Valley Forge, PA , arriving July 3 for the July 4 Bicentennial celebration. The wagon master at the time was Bud Brown, thus the "Bud Brown Wagon."
Under the International Preservation and Restoration guidelines for THE QUESTERS, the chapters could not fund the cost of shipping the wheels to the Hansen Wheel and Wagon Shop in South Dakota. Thumb Butte member Phil Casdorph volunteered to deliver them to the Hansen shop, where they were dropped off for repairs, thus saving Sharlot Hall Museum part of the thousand plus cost.
“I'm grateful that the Thumb Questers were able to participate in this valuable project. Our wonderful member, Phil Casdorph, transported the wagon wheels from Arizona to South Dakota during November storms so that they could be restored prior to the July 4th 250-year celebration” according to Deb Mathern, President of Thumb Butte chapter.
The restored wagon recently made its debut in Prescott at the July 4th parade.
“Seeing Arizona's Centennial Wagon approaching the spot where I was seated at the Prescott Frontier Days Rodeo Parade on July 4, 2026 was like watching history unfold. I felt a deep connection to those pioneers who travelled in similar wagons and ox carts across America to pursue a better life - a pursuit that has carried on for generations, culminating in 250 years of American stories that are well worth remembering -- through historic preservation and restoration. That's what Questers do!!” exclaimed Arlene Bright Past State President of Arizona Questers and member of Yavapai chapter.
It will next visit Scottsdale and then other locations in Arizona to complete the celebration of America 250.
"The partnership between Questers and Sharlot Hall Museum in restoring the Bicentennial state wagon "Arizona" is a testament to the mission of Questers locally, statewide, and nationally to preserve and promote American history for the greater good of all Americans. In 1976, the "Arizona" proudly represented the 48th State in the Bicentennial Wagon Trains that drove across county to gather in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, on July 4, 1976. Fifty years later, the Questers’ decision to restore the "Arizona" so it may roll again in proud representation of the people of Arizona and America is a gift to both the people of Prescott and Arizona, but also the citizens of America." --Stuart Rosebrook, Ph.D., Executive Director of Sharlot Hall Museum
Additional info of interest:
Members were honored with a cocktail reception hosted by Sharlot Hall Museum to formally thank both chapters for their financial support to restore the wagon