Jim Turner, Historian 

"In Jim Turner we are very lucky in that we have a presenter who has both the academic credientials -- a masters degree in history and seven years as historian at the Arizona Historical Society -- and more importantly, he is also a wonderfully dynamic presenter who makes history come alive. His audiences are often on the edge of their seats in rapt attention. It is a real kick to watch him perform, and if Jim Turner says it, that's the way it happened."

Jack Lasseter, professional Arizona history presenter and tour guide

“I was a colleague of Jim's for four years at the Arizona Historical Society. I can attest to Jim's enthusiasm and love for all aspects of Arizona history. Jim gained popularity with his online "Ask a Historian" website and took great care to provide thorough answers to the queries that came his way. He was always gracious about helping patrons in the library or long distance researchers who needed to talk to someone in depth about their research or projects. As the field services representative for the Arizona Historical Society, Jim traveled throughout the state sharing his passion for Arizona and encouraging the development of local history museums. He was the public voice for AHS during his years here and he is missed by many. Please don't hesitate to contact me if you have questions about Jim's work.”

Kate Reeve , Head, Library and Archives , Arizona Historical Society
worked with Jim at JimTurnerHistorian.org

“I had the pleasure of first becoming acquainted with Jim Turner during my tenure at the Oracle Historical Society. Time and time again, Jim proved himself to be not only an extraordinary scholar, but a one-man lifeline for Arizona’s small and underfunded history museums. In this, he served as an invaluable resource on Arizona history and museology, helping to channel resources, provide know-how and elevate museum standards throughout the state. One cannot fail to be inspired by his generosity and tireless efforts to share unparalleled insights into the realms of historical research and public history interpretation alike.”

Emily Duwel , Executive Director , Oracle Historical Society & Acadia Ranch Museum

“I worked with Jim on "the AZ Story", a 4th grade textbook for the state of AZ. He served as the historical advisor and wrote some of the stories included. His knowledge of AZ history is deep and was an extremely cooperative partner in the process. He is a dream to work with.”

Kyle McKoy , Director, Education & Outreach , Arizona Historical Society