Through her sustained stewardship and intrinsic value of historic preservation and advocacy, Darlene re-defined Tempe’s historic and cultural identity and re-discovered the city’s forgotten landmarks as places of meaning for those like her. She emboldened others to build and manage their beloved town via volunteerism, because it was the right thing to do.
Darlene passionately cares about Tempe – its people, places, character, and its unique value as a destination many choose to make their forever home, while still embracing its potential for future growth. As co-founder of the prestigious Tempe Historic Preservation Foundation, Darlene fought for the rehabilitation of the Rose Eisendrath House, a Pueblo Revival adobe home built in 1930, and helped the City of Tempe and Rio Salado Foundation restore its beauty and architectural value in the hills of Papago Park.
She oversaw the desert landscape restoration of Evelyn Hallman Park in north Tempe and helped to make the Papago Park Reserve a reality. In 2021, Darlene was awarded the Elisabeth Ruffner Keystone Award for Community Leadership at the annual Arizona Historic Preservation Conference.