Lee Ann Powers honored with Kip Culver Award by Globe Downtown Association

While Kip may have suggested many grandiose things, what he would do would always be the 'smart, thoughtful and useful thing.'”

Paul Tunis

For more information on Kip Culver, see our piece “Kip We Aren’t Done Yet!” published October 2015, or “The man behind Globe’s Main Street Program” published May 2013. 

At its recent annual meeting, the Globe Downtown Association proudly presented the Kip Culver Award to Lee Ann Powers, recognizing her exceptional contributions to preserving and enriching the local heritage of Globe‑Miami.

Presented by GDA’s Director, Molly Cornwell, the award honors individuals who, like its namesake, invest deeply in building community connections, elevating local history, and contributing meaningfully to the fabric of community life. Named for Kip Culver, a passionate downtown advocate and historic preservation champion, the award celebrates those who bring energy, creativity and dedication to civic life.

Lee Ann Powers is exactly such a person. Well known for her work with Bullion Plaza Museum and Cultural Center, where she has served as a research assistant for more than a decade, she has been a go-to source for historical documentation and research. Powers has digitized decades worth of the Arizona Silver Belt and other historic papers, ensuring they are preserved for future generations, providing lively stories and documentation of past lives and community events marking milestones in our local history. She manages the lecture series and Facebook page for the museum, contributes to Find A Grave, and produces several specialty publications on topics specific to our community, which are sold through the museum's gift shop. Her dedication ensures that the people and stories of our past remain alive and accessible to current and future generations.

Lee Ann’s community involvement extends beyond research and historical preservation. Like Culver, she has performed on stage with the Copper Cities Community Players, bringing laughter, talent, and memorable performances to audiences for nearly two decades. She was also an integral part of the team of volunteers and staff who helped launch and support the Copper Spike excursion train, welcoming more than 20,000 visitors to experience Globe’s history by rail.

Kip Culver, who passed away in 2015, was widely recognized as one of Globe’s greatest assets — an energetic force for downtown revitalization, historic preservation, and the arts. Lee Ann Powers embodies that same spirit, and the Globe Downtown Association is proud to honor her with this year’s award.