Mariel Watt brings almost two decades of museum and archive experience to PCHM. A PhD candidate at the University of Arizona specializing in American history of the West, Mariel’s academic research focuses on the human-dog relationship in Pima County using the lenses of social and disability history. Mariel’s educational background includes public history, information science, anthropology, and archeology. In her spare time, Mariel loves playing with her children and innumerable pets, including dogs, cats, tortoises, turtles, parrots, finches, snakes, and fish.

The museum would like to welcome our new Collections Manager, Johanne Harrigan! Johanne is a PhD candidate at the University of Arizona, specializing in the history of medicine. Before pivoting to a career in history, Johanne worked in social work.

Barb's love of museums began in Massachusetts where her family visited many museums before moving to Arizona in the mid 1970s.

Barb worked for the Pinal County Recorder's Office as the micrographic's technician, advancing to office manager and chief deputy where she learned the importance of retaining and preserving documents in the best possible way for future generations to be able to access the records no matter of up-and-coming technology or the obsolescence of current technology. She took record keeping and best practices classes for preserving the documents entrusted to the Recorder's office.

She worked for McFarland State Historic Park from 2011-2019, and is currently the  PCHM’s Visitor Experience Manager. She enjoys helping people learn more about Pinal County and the history of our town.