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Verkamp's celebrates centennial tomorrow

The Verkamp family invites the whole community to a celebration at 2 p.m. tomorrow to mark their curio shop's 100th year on the South Rim.

It was in 1906, 13 years before Grand Canyon became a National Park, that John George Verkamp built the store, not only to sell Native American crafts and novelties to Grand Canyon visitors but also to house his family. Four generations of Verkamps have provided quality service to National Park visitors from throughout the world.

To celebrate this milestone, Verkamp's board president Susie Verkamp and her brother, Mike, both grandchildren to John George, will speak. Susie will talk about the store's history, from her grandfather's first location in a tent on the South Rim to the present. She and Mike will also share anecdotes about living and working in the store. Their other five siblings ­ John, Steve, Jane, Lisa and Kelly, will also be present.

The seven siblings comprise the company's board. In 1995, Dan Ashley was hired as the first non-Verkamp general manager of the store.

The other keynote speaker is Park Superintendent Joe Alston, who will offer an historical perspective on Verkamp's, which is the oldest family-owned concession in the National Park Service system.

Though the ceremony begins at 2 p.m. at the curio store directly on the rim near Hopi House, other events are planned. Throughout the day, Native American dancers will perform, and two local Native American artists will demonstrate their crafts. Both Navajo silversmith Tommy Jackson and Hopi potter Delmar Polacca will share their creative spirit with the Verkamps' guests.


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