Our Mission
The Silver & Turquoise Board of Hostesses promotes, supports, and encourages the preservation of Tucson's historical traditions and diverse cultural heritage.
The History of Silver & Turquoise
The first Silver & Turquoise Ball was held in 1950 by a group of Tucson women. Among them were Aurora Patania (jewelry designer and wife of Frank Patania who was known for his silver and turquoise jewelry), Audrey Baird, Peggy Steinfeld (wife of Harold Steinfeld of the Steinfeld’s Department Store and Pioneer Hotel founding family) and Isabella Greenway (the first U.S. congresswoman in Arizona and the founder of the Arizona Inn). They gathered for an impromptu potluck "thank you" party for all of the hard work done by the Tucson Festival Society's volunteers. This gathering began at the home of Isabella Greenway, but was moved to the Arizona Inn after it began to rain. This party became an annual event held at the Arizona Inn.
The Ball was traditionally the last event of Tucson's social season. Originally, proceeds were raised for the Tucson Festival Society and helped fund events such as Pioneer Days, La Parada de los Ninos and the Children’s Writing Festival.
The Silver & Turquoise Board of Hostesses formed a non-profit organization to distinguish themselves from the Tucson Festival Society in 1993. The Board of Hostesses decided to give the proceeds from that year's Ball to the restoration efforts at Mission San Xavier del Bac.
The Silver & Turquoise Ball
The charming Arizona Inn is the location for one of Tucson’s oldest and grandest events — the Silver and Turquoise Ball.
What began over 60 years ago as a simple dinner to thank community members who worked to preserve Tucson’s heritage has grown into an elegant black-tie evening featuring a gourmet dinner, gorgeous decor, a fabulous dance band performing throughout the evening, a delectable dessert bar and late-night cabaret.
Guests are welcomed into the spectacular ambiance of the Arizona Inn and have the joy of dancing under the stars on a beautiful Tucson evening, the Silver & Turquoise Ball is a beloved event steeped in history and tradition.
Dedicated to the preservation of Tucson’s rich history, the Silver & Turquoise Ball currently benefits the Patronato Mission San Xavier del Bac. The Silver & Turquoise Board of Hostesses is proud to be one of the major donors supporting the Mission restoration project.
The Tohono
The Tohono is the logo of the Silver and Turquoise Board of Hostesses. Tohono is the Pima Indian word for desert. The curved, broad, u-form represents energy and virility emerging from the unknown through the earth and reaching upward. The horizontal line represents peace and rest. The four circles represent the four principal arts, and the rectangle represents the desert earth. The arts arise anew from the desert valley.
