More than a museum.
A place to belong.
Gilbert's history is our foundation. Bringing people together is our purpose. Discover a home for art, culture, learning, and community in the town's oldest standing building.
The same landmark.
A new generation of stories.
The Past Is Just the Beginning
HD SOUTH is home to the Gilbert Historical Museum—and so much more. A place to encounter a different perspective, follow your curiosity, and connect across generations.
Stories Worth Keeping
Objects, photographs, and personal histories preserve the everyday lives that shaped Gilbert.
Explore the Collection
New Ways of Seeing
Gallery 4 brings artists and visitors together through changing exhibitions and shared ideas.
Discover Art
Room to Connect
From a school visit to a community gathering, there is always another story to share.
Find Your Way HereFrom Schoolhouse to Gathering Place
For more than a century, this corner of Gilbert has brought people together. Each chapter has built on the one before it.
1913–1977A School at the Heart of Town
1913. Gilbert Elementary School opens at Gilbert and Elliot Roads, and the Gilbert School District is formed.
1960. Residents begin meeting as the Gilbert Historical Society to protect and share the community's history.
1977. The building, affectionately known as the “Alamo,” closes for classroom use.
1979–1985A Permanent Home for History
1979. The Gilbert Historical Society formally incorporates while seeking a permanent home.
1982. After leasing the former school from Gilbert Public Schools, the Society opens the Gilbert Historical Museum to visitors.
1985. Otto and Edna Neely's generous gift makes it possible for the Society to purchase the building and land.
2017–TodayA New Name. A Wider Welcome.
2017. The organization becomes HD SOUTH: Home of the Gilbert Historical Museum. The name reflects its location at the south end of the Heritage District and its growing role in art, culture, history, education, and community life.
2025. After an extensive donor-funded campaign, the Severson Center at HD SOUTH opens as an event venue and community gathering space.
2026. The Gilbert Chamber of Commerce recognizes HD SOUTH as its Non-Profit Business of the Year.
The mission continues: preserve Gilbert's stories while creating opportunities for new generations to connect.
Gilbert's oldest standing building, and the town's only building listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Explore Gilbert’s History
Railroad tracks, farms, schools, and the people who called this place home helped shape Gilbert. Follow those connections through the museum’s historical presentations, photographs, and stories from local residents.
Read Gilbert’s StoryCelebrating the Past.
Connecting Generations.
Gilbert Historical Society is the vibrant cornerstone of an intergenerational community that celebrates the past, inspires unity of all people, and cultivates life-enriching collaboration.
Our Vision
We envision communities where all generations know, trust, and care for one another.
- Stewards of history
- Inclusive of all people
- Bridging generations
- Catalyst for connection
Meet Our Staff
The team caring for our collections, creating new experiences, and welcoming our community.
Bookkeeper
Board of Directors
Public servants, business leaders, educators, artists, and community advocates helping guide HD SOUTH forward.
Executive Committee
Chair
Dr. Shane McCord
Gilbert Public Schools Ret.
Vice Chair
Deb Carr
Community Volunteer
Secretary
Jasmine Holmes
Microchip Technology
Treasurer
Cindy Nelson
Realty ONE Group
Members at Large
Kristin Altieri
BeLocal Gilbert
Katie DeVenuto
Town of Gilbert Parks and Recreation
Steve Harpole
Community Volunteer
Faith Armstrong
Aetna
Elaine Kessler
Elaine Kessler Photography
Dr. Jason Martin
Gilbert Public Schools
Kurt Sabel
Pivotal Real Estate Solutions
Jän Simon
Foundation Insurance Services
Advisory Council
- Dr. Brad Barrett
- Dr. Maria Hesse
Trustees Emeritus
- Dale Hallock
- Marji Scotten
More to the Story
Perspectives on our town, our purpose, and the connections that make a community.
Scroll through 34 stories from our archive, or browse all articles.
Inclusion, Diversity, Community and HD South
Read the Article →2020-08-22Photography Tips and Hot Spots in Gilbert, Arizona
Read the Article →2020-07-28HD SOUTH: ART Scavenger Hunt KEY
Read the Article →2020-07-21Art Tour Stop 28: HD South
Read the Article →2020-07-16Art Tour Stops 26 + 27: Theatre and Art
Read the Article →2020-07-13Art Tour Stop 25: Roadside Architecture
Read the Article →2020-07-11Art Tour Stops 22-24: Lighting and Etchings
Read the Article →2020-07-07Art in the Heritage District – Murals: Stop 20-21
Read the Article →2020-06-27Art in the Heritage District – Murals: Stop 18-19
Read the Article →2020-06-20Art in the Heritage District – Murals: Stop 17
Read the Article →2020-06-13Art in the Heritage District – Murals: Stops 7 – 16
Read the Article →2020-06-06Art in the Heritage District – Stop 5 +6: Reservoir Gorge and Delivery Falls
Read the Article →2020-06-06Art in the Heritage District – Stop 4: Lateral Deluge
Read the Article →2020-06-06Art in the Heritage District – Stop 3: Western Powerline Trail
Read the Article →2020-06-06Art in the Heritage District: Water Focus
Read the Article →2020-05-30HD South for K-12
Read the Article →2020-05-26Art Benches
Read the Article →2020-05-23Memorial Day
Read the Article →2020-05-16HD South for Higher Education
Read the Article →2020-05-04Art in the Heritage District – Stop 1: The Water Tower
Read the Article →2020-05-04Art in the Heritage District
Read the Article →2020-05-01The 6 C’s of Gilbert’s Innovation
Read the Article →2020-04-13Citrus One of the 5 C’s of Arizona
Read the Article →2019-01-11Wallace and Ladmo
Read the Article →2017-11-10Gilbert Historical Society Becomes HD SOUTH
Read the Article →2017-10-20Gilbert Depot torn down
Read the Article →2017-08-12Gilbert Cotton Gin
Read the Article →2017-05-27Gilbert Depot
Read the Article →2017-03-03Geneva Clay
Read the Article →2017-01-10The flooding of Gilbert
Read the Article →2016-10-20Modern Gilbert Town Hall
Read the Article →2016-07-20Gilbert Days became the Kennedy Memorial
Read the Article →2016-05-07Abe Cosby, Gilbert Gentlemen
Read the Article →2016-04-12The Bank of Gilbert
Read the Article →Come Curious.
Leave Connected.
Explore the museum, discover something new, and make yourself part of the story. Find us at 10 S. Gilbert Road.